Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island

Car-free island 19 km off Fremantle — quokkas, bike loops and 63 beaches.

8 tours
1 caravan park
4 articles
📷 1 photo
View on Google Maps →

Tours in Rottnest Island

See all 8 tours →
Rottnest Skydive + Hillarys Ferry package

Rottnest Skydive + Hillarys Ferry package

1 day
From AUD $594
Rottnest Island 90-minute E-Rickshaw Adventure with Tour Guide

Rottnest Island 90-minute E-Rickshaw Adventure with Tour Guide

1h 30m
From AUD $106
Rottnest Skydive + Perth Barrack St Ferry package

Rottnest Skydive + Perth Barrack St Ferry package

1 day
From AUD $634
Rottnest Island (Wajuk: Wadjemup), nicknamed "Rotto", is a 19-square-kilometre (7.3 sq mi) island off the coast of Western Australia, 18 kilometres (11 mi) west of Fremantle. A sandy, low-lying island formed on a base of aeolianite limestone, it is an A-class reserve, the highest level of protection afforded to public land. With Garden Island, Rottnest Island is a remnant of Pleistocene dune ridges. Along with several other islands, Rottnest became separated from the mainland when sea levels rose around 7,000 years ago. The traditional Noongar name for the island is Wadjemup, which means "place across the water where the spirits are". The earliest recorded human presence on Rottnest was at least 17,000 years ago, but visitation and habitation of the island by the Noongar people appears to have ceased following its separation from the mainland. Rottnest was first documented by Willem de Vlamingh in 1696, who called it 't Eylandt 't Rottenest (lit. 'Rats' Nest Island') after the quokka population. Following establishment of the Swan River Colony (now Perth) in 1829, the island was initially used by British settlers for agriculture, and a permanent settlement was built in Thomson Bay. From 1838 to 1931, Rottnest Island was used as a prison and forced labour camp for over 3,600 Aboriginal people, who were subjected to extremely harsh conditions. Other past uses of the island include as a military site, and for internment camps housing enemy aliens. Many of the island's buildings date from the colonial period, often made from locally quarried limestone, and are now used as accommodation for holidays. Rottnest is an unincorporated area with no local government, subject to direct administration by the government of Western Australia. It is administered by the state's Rottnest Island Authority (RIA), which on 1 July 2017 became part of the newly created Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Rottnest is known for its population of quokkas, and is also home to colonies of Australian sea lions and southern fur seals, as well as various birds and three native tree species, notably the Rottnest Island pine. The island is a popular recreational and tourist destination, with daily ferry services from Perth, the state's capital and largest city. It has a permanent population of around 300 people, with around 780,000 annual visitors.

Background information about Rottnest Island adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Next 7 days at Rottnest Island

Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Updated each time the page loads.

Loading forecast…

Best time to visit Rottnest Island

Based on 30 years of weather data. Sweet spot: Aug, Sep, Oct — mild temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun. Avoid Mar, May if you can — typically the wettest or hottest stretch of the year.

Jan
38°
13° low
18mm
Feb
37°
15° low
17mm
Mar
37°
13° low
20mm
Apr
31°
13° low
34mm
May
28°
11° low
84mm
Jun
24°
9° low
113mm
Jul
22°
9° low
128mm
Aug
24°
8° low
106mm
Sep
26°
8° low
70mm
Oct
31°
10° low
32mm
Nov
35°
11° low
25mm
Dec
36°
13° low
12mm
Daytime high (large) · overnight low (small) · monthly rainfall (blue bar). Climate normals: 1991–2020 from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis.

Beach & ocean conditions at Rottnest Island

Typical wave height around 2.1 m over the next two weeks. a wetsuit makes winter swims much more pleasant.

Avg wave height
2.1 m
Sea-surface temperatures from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Wave forecast from the GFS Wave model — check official sources before swimming, paddling or boating.

What else is around Rottnest Island

Points of interest within 25 km, pulled from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line; check road access before heading out.

🔭 Lookouts & viewpoints (39)
  • Unnamed0.4 km
  • Unnamed0.5 km
  • Unnamed0.8 km
  • Unnamed1.1 km
  • Unnamed1.3 km
  • Unnamed1.4 km
🎭 Theatres, cinemas & markets (3)
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Drive times to and from Rottnest Island

Real road distance and driving time to other destinations in the state. Click through for fuel estimates, suggested overnight stops, and tours along the way.

To Fremantle
8 km · 0h 13m
To Perth
20 km · 0h 28m
To Pinnacles Desert
201 km · 2h 45m
To Margaret River
274 km · 3h 28m
To Albany
417 km · 5h 15m
To Kalgoorlie
619 km · 7h 35m
To Esperance
704 km · 8h 34m
To Coral Coast
823 km · 10h 1m

Photos from around Rottnest Island

Discovery Resorts - Rottnest Island
Discovery Resorts - Rottnest Island
park

Frequently asked about Rottnest Island

Where is Rottnest Island?
Rottnest Island is in Greater Perth, Western Australia, Australia. The destination guide above maps the area; the drive-times panel further down lists distances to other Western Australia destinations so you can pencil it into a longer itinerary.
When is the best time to visit Rottnest Island?
Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months at Rottnest Island are typically September, October, August — milder temperatures, lower rainfall, and longer sunshine hours. March tends to be the trickiest month weather-wise. School holiday weeks (Easter, late June–early July, late September, mid-December–late January) get busy and prices rise, so shoulder season is usually the sweet spot if you're flexible.
What's the weather like in Rottnest Island?
Summer daytime highs average around 38°C and winter overnight lows can drop to about 8°C. Annual rainfall sits at roughly 660 mm spread across the year. The climate panel above breaks every month down — daytime high, overnight low, monthly rain, sunny days — so you can match the trip to the weather you want.
How do I get to Rottnest Island?
Most travellers arrive by road. From Fremantle it's about 8 km — roughly 0h 13m of driving via the main highway, conditions permitting. The drive-times panel above lists travel time and distance to every other Western Australia destination so you can sketch out a road-trip route. Check road conditions in winter if your route crosses high country, and plan for breaks every ~2 hours.
What are the top things to see in Rottnest Island?
Well-known spots within day-trip range include Store (Site Of), Workshop (Site Of), Latrine Block (site of), Oil & Paint Store (Site Of), Skidding Store (Site Of). The "What else is around" panel above lists every named point of interest by category — lookouts, peaks, waterfalls, museums, beaches — pulled straight from OpenStreetMap. Click any name for the location, opening hours and directions.
Where can I stay near Rottnest Island?
We list 1 caravan and holiday park in and around Rottnest Island above — powered sites, cabins, glamping, and big-rig-friendly options. Pet rules, dump points and shaded sites are noted on each park's page. For hotel-style stays, the Drive Times panel makes it easy to base yourself in a nearby town and day-trip in.
How many days should I spend at Rottnest Island?
Most travellers spend 1–2 days at Rottnest Island to cover the highlights without rushing. There are 8 bookable tours and experiences, 0 attractions and 5+ named viewpoints/landmarks listed for the area on this page — plenty to fill a weekend, more if you slow down and explore the outer reaches.
Is Rottnest Island good for families with kids?
Yes — there are 37 family-friendly attractions, museums and family destinations within easy reach (zoos, aquariums, interactive museums, family-friendly theme parks). The caravan parks section above flags parks with playgrounds, kids' pools and family cabins.
What day trips can I do from Rottnest Island?
Within ~2.5 hours' drive: Fremantle, Perth. The drive-times panel above lists every nearby destination with road distance and travel time — pick one, drive across in the morning, and you're back for dinner.
Is there public transport at Rottnest Island?
Coverage varies — major destinations have train and bus links from the closest capital, but smaller regional towns rely on infrequent coach services. The most reliable way to explore the wider area is a hire car or your own vehicle. If you're using public transport, plan around the timetables and check the night before you travel; rural routes are often once or twice a day.
Is Rottnest Island accessible for wheelchair users and reduced mobility?
Major town centres, museums and built-up tourist precincts at Rottnest Island are usually accessible; bush walks and lookouts vary widely. The OpenStreetMap data underneath the "What else is around" panel records wheelchair access on individual sites — click through to any place's page for the specific accessibility info. For tours, check the operator's website or call ahead; most reputable operators publish their access details.
How much does a trip to Rottnest Island cost?
Budget travellers can do Rottnest Island on roughly $120–180 per person per day (caravan park, cooking your own, free walks); mid-range $200–350 (hotel, paid attractions, eating out once a day); higher-end $400+ (boutique stays, tours, fine dining). Fuel is the big variable — Australia's regional driving distances add up. Tours and attractions in the listings above show prices in AUD where the operator publishes them.
Will I have phone signal at Rottnest Island?
Most named destinations in Western Australia have at least Telstra and Optus coverage in town. Coverage drops off quickly outside built-up areas — particularly in national parks, valleys and along long stretches of highway. If you're heading into remote areas, download offline maps before you leave, tell someone your itinerary, and consider a PLB (personal locator beacon) for serious bush walks.

All tours in Rottnest Island

Rottnest Skydive + Hillarys Ferry package
Rottnest Skydive + Hillarys Ferry package
★ 5.0 · from AUD $594
Rottnest Island 90-minute E-Rickshaw Adventure with Tour Guide
Rottnest Island 90-minute E-Rickshaw Adventure with Tour Guide
★ 5.0 · from AUD $106
Rottnest Skydive + Perth Barrack St Ferry package
Rottnest Skydive + Perth Barrack St Ferry package
★ 5.0 · from AUD $634
Rottnest Coastal Explorer Tour
Rottnest Coastal Explorer Tour
★ 5.0 · from AUD $175
Rottnest Island Scenic Flight or 1/2 Day stopover
Rottnest Island Scenic Flight or 1/2 Day stopover
★ 5.0 · from AUD $400
Full Day Sail to Rottnest Island from Fremantle
Full Day Sail to Rottnest Island from Fremantle
★ 5.0 · from AUD $269
Design Your Own Tour Experience
Design Your Own Tour Experience
★ 5.0 · from AUD $495
Pinnacles & Rottnest Island Scenic Air & Ground Tour
Pinnacles & Rottnest Island Scenic Air & Ground Tour
★ 5.0 · from AUD $1099

Caravan parks nearby

Discovery Resorts - Rottnest Island
Discovery Resorts - Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island · City of Cockburn
★ 4.2

Nearby destinations

Fremantle
Fremantle
Greater Perth
Perth
Perth
Greater Perth
Pinnacles Desert
Pinnacles Desert
Coral Coast
Margaret River
Margaret River
South West

Rottnest Island travel articles

📍
Short Breaks - Perth and Rottnest Island
📍
Rottnest Island Day Sail
Rottnest Island Day Sail
📍
2 Day Escape or 3 Day Getaway - Rottnest Island
2 Day Escape or 3 Day Getaway - Rottnest Island
📍
Sail Ningaloo | Ningaloo Reef Marine Park | Rottnest Island
Sail Ningaloo