Boats anchored in a bay on Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Things to do in  Rottnest Island

Smiles all round

While a handful of people live on Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), the predominant residents of this small island are of the cute, fluffy, and smiley variety. It's home to the world’s largest population of wild quokkas, and day-trippers flock from nearby Perth and Fremantle to watch the “happiest animals on earth” roam in their natural habitat. Other things to do on Rottnest Island include hiking the 28 miles (45 kilometers) of trails, swimming, and snorkeling at more than 60 white-sand beaches, or taking a bike, kayak, or Segway tour.

Learn more

Top 1 attractions in Rottnest Island

#1

Rottnest Island

star-4.51,962
Fringed with rocky coves, white sandy beaches, and sun-soaked shores, Rottnest Island’s natural pleasures are numerous—whale-watching, snorkeling, hiking and wildlife spotting along the coast, and taking in the ocean sunsets. At less than an hour from Perth, Rottnest Island, or “Rotto,” makes for an idyllic retreat from the city.More
Tours & Tickets

Explore Rottnest Island by interest

Top activities in Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island Segway Tour: Fortress Adventure Tour

Rottnest Island Segway Tour: Fortress Adventure Tour

star-5
79
From
$85.89
Rottnest Island Tandem Skydive
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Rottnest Island Tandem Skydive

star-5
201
From
$225.72
One Way Seaplane Flight - Perth to Rottnest Island

One Way Seaplane Flight - Perth to Rottnest Island

star-5
5
From
$129.84
Rottnest Island Ultimate Seaplane and Seafood Experience

Rottnest Island Ultimate Seaplane and Seafood Experience

From
$525.35
Rottnest Skydive + Fremantle Ferry Package

Rottnest Skydive + Fremantle Ferry Package

star-5
38
From
$280.32
Rottnest Skydive + Hillarys Ferry package

Rottnest Skydive + Hillarys Ferry package

star-5
9
From
$284.98
Rottnest Island 'Snorkel and Sail'
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Rottnest Island 'Snorkel and Sail'

star-5
23
From
$105.87
Rottnest Skydive + Perth Barrack St Ferry package

Rottnest Skydive + Perth Barrack St Ferry package

star-5
6
From
$308.28
Rottnest Island ECO E Bike Tour

Rottnest Island ECO E Bike Tour

star-5
68
From
$68.30
Luxe Island Seafood Cruise - Rottnest Island

Luxe Island Seafood Cruise - Rottnest Island

star-5
27
From
$265.67
Rottnest Island Twilight Sail
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Rottnest Island Twilight Sail

star-5
7
From
$63.25
One Way Seaplane Flight Rottnest Island to Perth

One Way Seaplane Flight Rottnest Island to Perth

star-5
1
From
$129.84
Rottnest Island Grand Tour Including Lunch and Historical Train Ride

Rottnest Island Grand Tour Including Lunch and Historical Train Ride

star-4.5
47
From
$65.92
Sealink Bike & Ferry Package from Fremantle

Sealink Bike & Ferry Package from Fremantle

star-4.5
65
From
$75.91
Rottnest Island Guided Snorkel Boat Experience
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Rottnest Island Guided Snorkel Boat Experience

star-4.5
37
From
$132.50
Rottnest Island Lakes and Bays Guided Hike
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Rottnest Island Lakes and Bays Guided Hike

star-4.5
6
From
$52.60
See all Rottnest Island tours

All about Rottnest Island

When to visit

Summer (December–February) is the most popular time for day trips and overnight stays on Rottnest Island, but you can enjoy outdoor activities on the island year-round. Visit in late winter and spring for the chance to spot quokka joeys peeking out of their mother’s pouches (August-September), to catch the annual humpback whale migration (September-November), and to admire the vibrant wildflowers (October-November).

Getting around

Ferries run from Perth, Fremantle, and Hillary’s Boat Harbour to Rottnest Island, taking between 25 and 90 minutes, depending on the route. You can also arrive by helicopter, seaplane, or private boat. Once on the car-free island, you can take the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, rent a bike or e-bike, or take a golf buggy taxi. You can also walk—hiking trails connect all corners of the island.

Traveler tips

Rottnest Island is more than a beach destination. It’s also a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba divers, with protected marine reserves, magnificent coral reefs, and more than 400 fish species. You can snorkel at the reefs, and certified divers can explore underwater caves and sunken shipwrecks, spotting green turtles, humpback whales, grey nurse sharks, stingrays, and western rock lobsters along the way.

Attractions
1
Tours
16
Reviews
574
EN
1b3c37c7-8f26-4dc4-87d3-faf9b3b967b8
geo_hub

People Also Ask

Is there much to do on Rottnest Island?

Yes, there’s plenty to do on Rottnest Island, from wildlife-watching and outdoor activities to beach-hopping and glamping. Must-do activities include hiking part of the Wadjemup Bidi trail, snorkeling or scuba diving along the coast, spotting quokkas and migrating whales, and discovering the rich history of the Noongar people.

...More
How long should you spend on Rottnest Island?

Most visitors visit Rottnest Island on a day trip, leaving enough time to see the quokkas, go swimming and snorkeling, and visit the Wadjemup Museum. It’s worth staying a night or two to enjoy extra beach time or to hike the long-distance Wadjemup Bidi trail.

...More
Is Rottnest Island worth visiting?

Yes. Rottnest Island has the world’s largest population of wild quokkas, and you can spot the cute creatures all around the island. There are also 63 sandy beaches, miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, winter whale-watching cruises, and several celebrated scuba diving and snorkeling sites.

...More
What is the best way to explore Rottnest Island?

Rottnest Island is largely car-free, but it’s small enough that you don't need one. Rent a bike and explore at your own pace, tackle part of the 28-mile (45-kilometer) Wadjemup Bidi hiking trail, or ride the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. For a faster a-to-b journey, golf buggy taxis are also available.

...More
How long does the Rottnest Island ferry take?

There are three main ferry routes to Rottnest Island. The fastest route is the 25-minute express ferry from Fremantle, followed by the 45-minute ferry from Hillary’s Boat Harbour. Alternatively, ferries also set out from Perth's Barrack Street Jetty, a 90-minute journey that includes a scenic cruise along the Swan River.

...More
Where is the best place to see quokkas on Rottnest Island?

There are five main spots around Rottnest Island where quokka sightings are most common—Garden Lake, The Basin, along the Ngank Yira Bidi trail, Stark Bay, and Wadjemup Lighthouse. The best times to observe the nocturnal creatures in their natural environment are in the early morning and late afternoon or evening.

...More
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top things to do in Rottnest Island?
A:
The top things to do in Rottnest Island are:
Q:
What are the top activities in Rottnest Island?
A:
Q:
What are the top things to do near Rottnest Island?
A:
Check out things to do near Rottnest Island:

More Tours in Rottnest Island