How does a day trip off the shores of Western Australia sound? This Rottnest Island guide will show you how to experience the time of your life in just 7 hours.
First published: 1 September 2019
Rottnest Island, admittedly, doesn’t have the sexiest of names. But a few hours with her and chances are that you’ll wanna stay the night.
She’s home to 63 gorgeous beaches (yeah), 19 quality eateries with delicious food (mmm yeah), and the happiest and most adorable creatures on the planet (yeah!!!).
Most people head to Rottnest Island, or Rotto for short, as a day trip from Perth city. And as with most day trips, it’s hard to get the full bang for your buck if you wander around with no particular aim or agenda.
That’s what this article will help you with. If you’ve only got 7 hours, this is what you need to do.
*Pro-tip: Before you start your trip, remember to grab an eSIM with unlimited data to stay connected in Australia. Read till the end for discounts on eSIMs and other activities too!
Read also: 4D3N Perth Itinerary Under S$500 — A Relaxing Getaway to Australia on a Budget
Getting to and around Rottnest Island
First things first, you’ll need to take a ferry from Perth to reach Rottnest Island. From the city, it’s around an hour’s journey to Hillarys Boat Harbour via public transport.
A single two-way ticket costs AU$10.40, but you might want to get a SmartRider Card (unlimited transport around Perth) for AU$10 per day if you’re planning to explore the city for a longer period.
Then, it’s a 45-minute ferry ride to the island. To skip the queues, we recommend pre-purchasing your ferry tickets via KKday (from ~S$81.60/adult, roundtrip)! Psst, read till the end to find out how you can get 10% off your tickets and more!
*Pro-tip: Book the 10AM ferry departure slot for a free shuttle to the harbour from Perth CBD, Northbridge, and Scarborough Hotels.
Choose Your Ride
Few cars are permitted on the island, so people usually get around by bus, cycling or walking.
If you prefer someone to bring you around, opt for the Rottnest Island Bus Tour. Besides covering your ferry ride from Perth or Fremantle, it includes a 1.5-hour sightseeing bus tour with a local guide. You’ll drop by iconic locations like Wadjemup Lighthouse and West End, while learning more about the island’s history!
For those who’d rather explore on their own, take the “Bike & Ferry Combo” package. It includes bicycle rental on top of the ferry ticket. Once you reach Hillarys Boat Harbour, check in at the Rottnest Fast Ferries office and pick up your bike. Then, follow our itinerary below 😉
*Note: A security deposit of AU$25 is required per bike hire upon check-in.
However, take note that the combo package is only applicable for normal bikes. So if you’re time-strapped or need a little extra “help”, rent an e-bike directly on the island instead!
Head over to the rental store Pedal and Flipper, a short 3-minute walk from the ferry terminal and pick out an electric bike (AU$71/day) that you fancy. It may seem pricey, but trust us, it’s worth it.
For one — with every pedal, a surge of divine power from the engine courses through the tyres and propels you forward with swan-like grace. Second, the helpless look on the faces of those on normal bikes will be priceless as you pass them by effortlessly. And you won’t even break a sweat with the surrounding natural breeze. 😎
Hours 1–2: Skydive Over Rotto
Rottnest Island was home to my virgin skydiving experience. And oof — they were right. It feels good to finally do it. Honestly though, there’s nothing quite like falling from 14,000ft. It’s waving the centre finger at death, the human race’s epitome of staunch arrogance — we don’t need wings to experience the thrills of flight — we plummet for fun.
Then there’s this. In this age we’re used to seeing HD, 4K-resolution drone shots. Except this was taken with a GoPro. The feeling of seeing something at that altitude without the obstruction of a window is liberation at its finest. The force of gravity was quite literally breathtaking, but so was the view of the bluest seas.
Booking Your Skydiving Experience
I won’t talk too much about skydiving. Some things are meant not to be said but done. You should book your skydiving package ahead of time. It’s a popular activity so slots each day are limited.
Once at Rottnest Island, cycle over to the meeting point at Rottnest Island Airport, 5 minutes away from the arrivals jetty at Thomson Bay.
Prices vary according to the height you choose to jump from (between 10,000ft and 15,000ft), and so does the duration of your free fall. For an additional fee, you can also bring back photos and videos of your adventure as a souvenir!
Cost: From ~S$362/pax for 10,000ft skydive
Meeting point: Rottnest Island Airport — Terminal Building (Google Maps)
How to get the perfect skydiving shot
A smile in a free fall is a patient process for the first timer.
Alright, it’s pro-tip time. How do you stay glam for the gram while you’re up in the air going ham? Your skydiving instructor will be taking excessive photos and videos throughout the experience, so there will be plenty of time to get that one good shot.
1) Pre-flight: Clear all the mucus from your nose. Somehow gravity has its way of fixing a bad case of the snuffles. My video editor’s skydiving footage showcased, in full HD glory, the clogged-up liquids on the side of her face, and boy, that is not going online.
2) 0–20 seconds: We can’t do much about the fact that your face will be distorted or at least given some unwanted contours. But, be patient, and simply enjoy the free fall — you’ve spent a struggling intern’s monthly pay cheque on this, so you might as well enjoy the moment.
3) >21 seconds: At this point you should already be getting used to the plunge. Show off your widest smile and show teeth (no teeth just looks awkward). Or stick out your tongue to look cheeky and keep that face there for 5 seconds to make sure your instructor gets the shot. Your hands will also be free to give a corporate thumbs up or hippie call-me. You might even want to do a dab. (Don’t do a dab).
Hour 3: Take Selfies with Quokkas
Now that you’ve just experienced one of life’s miracles, you should have no problem putting your best smile forward. It’s time to find some animals who share your unbridled joy — the happiest ones in the world.
Head back to the greens near the jetty at Thomson Bay and you should be able to spot quokkas in abundance. Even if you don’t, there will be more scattered across the other parts of the island.
How to take an epic/harmless photo of quokkas
They’re creatures who are used to close proximity with people with a selfie stick, so there’s no need to worry about them going rogue giving you rabies. However, because they are an endangered species, you’re not allowed to touch them or feed them.
Try to find quokkas that are already enjoying a tree snack and get down next to them. If they’re not, they’re more likely to move around in search of food anyway, and you won’t be able to get a photo.
Get as close as possible without contact by lying down beside them, and then place your phone at an angle below their face. That’s the angle where their smiles are most accentuated. Then — spam!! Change positions as you see fit. After all, you know your best sides.
Hour 4: Have a Lovely Picnic on the Beach
You could just eat at a restaurant, but with all that soft sand and natural beauty around you, why would you?
Best spots to chill and eat at Rottnest Island
Parakeet Bay is a long stretch of secluded beach with tranquil waters further up from Geordie Bay. Porpoise Bay, The Basin, Little Salmon Bay, and Salmon Bay are recommended spots as well.
Where to get your food on Rottnest Island
Photo credit: Rottnest Island
Most of the island’s cafés and restaurants can be found in the Thomson Bay settlement near the jetty and the Visitor Centre. Here’s a list of some of the more popular eateries:
– Lexi’s on Rotto: Vintage-style coffee caravan next to the Wadjemup Lighthouse.
– Simmo’s Rottnest: Over 60 different ice cream flavours!
– Bayside Bar: Island-inspired cocktails and mocktails by the seaside.
– Lontara: Fine dining with South East Asian cuisine.
– Subway: No introduction needed for this restaurant, is there?
Hour 5: Island Cycling
There are three suggested cycling routes of various distances that the Rottnest Island committee have laid out (4km, 10km & 22km). But you don’t have to follow them to a tee.
The map above shows you the layout of the entire island. We suggest taking the route highlighted in green (Bike Route 2), as you’ll get a glimpse of the inland attractions as well as the brilliant coastal views. And, when there’s a particular beach that you feel you vibe with, hop off and get into the waters!
Hour 6: Snorkel in the Chilly Coastal Waters
It’s time to take a swim while your body is still warm from the pedalling and sustenance. Not in a pool, though! Rent a snorkel set from Pedal and Flipper (AU$21/day) if you don’t have one and get ready for a feast for the eyes.
There’s a stunning array of marine life in the Rottnest Island Marine Reserve, with over 400 species of fish and 20 species of coral. Floating markers are also laid out at the bays to indicate suggested routes for snorkelling.
Which beaches to swim at on Rottnest Island
We cycled to Little Salmon Bay for our own snorkelling adventure. It’s a peaceful little spot at the southern tip of Rottnest Island, where we swam and took selfies with a variety of colourful fish and jellyfishes!
The island is also home to tropical fish, stingrays, green turtles, coral, and shipwrecks to explore.
Other recommended snorkelling spots: Little Armstrong Bay, Parakeet Bay, The Basin, Pinky Beach, Parker Point and Salmon Bay
Hour 7: View from the Top of a Lighthouse
It’s been quite the exhilarating afternoon so far, so it’s time to take a last look at the island from a breezy vantage point. There are two lighthouses on Rottnest — the Bathurst and Wadjemup Lighthouse, but you’re only permitted to climb up the latter.
The origins of these lighthouses are pretty fascinating too. Wadjemup was built by Aboriginal prisoners that came to the island nearly 200 years ago, and has remained in operation until now.
You can go on a short tour (AU$15/adult) to learn about the history and stories behind these landmarks, plus gain insight behind their inner workings. Tours are conducted every 30 minutes from 10AM to 2:30PM.
Things you can do with more time
Frankly speaking, 7 hours isn’t exactly enough time on Rottnest Island. This island wasn’t made to be rushed out in a day. It’s a place for relaxation, contemplation, peace and wildlife. Should you choose to come back again, or if you’re spending a night or two here, consider these activities as well:
Go Fishing
Photo credit: Rottnest Island
The abundance of marine wildlife on Rottnest draws many here each year for recreational fishing. If you’ve got an afternoon to spare, you can buy bait and tackle for fishing from the Rottnest General Store and Geordie Bay General Store, and try your hand at it!
The young of many fish species, like the Cobbler and Long-headed Flathead, call the seagrass meadows around the island home. And so do an array of migratory fishes like the Australian Herring, School Whiting and Sea Garfish!
Some fishing spots to visit include the small jetties at Thomson Bay, Stark Bay, and Geordie Bay.
Go Trekking
Photo credit: Rottnest Island
The 19km square feet island also boasts 45km of trails called the Wadjemup Bidi. The term “Bidi” stands for “track” in the Australian Aboriginal Language Noongar.
These trails connect Rottnest’s natural beauties to its cultural history, and you’ll learn a lot about the environment and the island’s past with the accompanying fact sheets on the website.
Go Whale Watching
Photo credit: Rottnest Fast Ferries
The West End platform provides a magnificent viewing point for the humpback whales who linger in the Rotto waters from September to December. About 35,000 of them spend their time here playing with their newborn calves for a period of time before heading back to the colder southern waters.
Photo credit: Destination Perth
But if you want to get up close to these friendly giants, you can also hop on a whale-watching cruise from Perth (~S$68/adult)! Besides spotting whales on this 2-hour cruise, you’ll learn more about them first-hand from a certified marine biologist from The Aquarium of Western Australia (AWQA).
And the best part for tours booked via KKday — if you didn’t spot any whales (which is unlikely), you can join the next available trip for free or on another tour within the same season at 50% off.
Whale sharks in Exmouth!
Apart from humpback whales, we saw many whale sharks during our road trip around Western Australia, and even swam next to them! Both these creatures are truly majestic, and you’d regret it if you didn’t at least catch a couple while you’re here.
Read also: 17 Exciting Things to Do in Perth — Not For the Faint-Hearted
Planning your next adventure in Western Australia!
If you’re heading to Perth for your holiday this year, don’t give this magnificent island a miss. Actually, while you’re in Western Australia, don’t leave any stone unturned (literally).
Western Australia is home to manifold wonders of the world — pink beaches, beautiful age old limestones and glorious blowholes are just the first page of this intoxicating storybook.
Read about how you can plan your very own road trip adventure down under in our 11D Western Australia itinerary!
While we’re at it, here’s a tip on how to score discounts for your next adventure there! KKday is running a Western Australia promotion from now till 31 July 2024 — purchase vouchers and get up to 70% off your trip!
For instance, you can grab S$100 worth of travel vouchers for only S$30 and use it on items like eSIMs, cruises, island tours, skydiving, and more 🤩 (travel by 31 Dec 2024).
And here’s an exclusive promo just for you:
Use the code <TRAVELINTERN> to enjoy 10% off with a minimum spend of S$50 (capped at S$18)*!
*Note:
– Make sure to click through our link for the code to be redeemed at checkout
– Promo code can be used two times
– Valid from 8 July to 31 December 2024, for travel till 31 January 2025
– Does not apply to Blacklisted Products
Will you be adding these Rottnest Island activities to your next Perth itinerary? Tell us in the comments!
This post was brought to you by KKday.
