21 things to do on Rottnest Island with kids

Are you looking for the best things to do with your kids on Rottnest Island? Look no further.

Just 19 kilometres off the coast of Perth and only a 30-minute ferry from Fremantle lies the sunny Rottnest Island. The holiday island lures tourists with its casual atmosphere, picture-perfect beaches and stunning snorkelling spots.

One of the main attractions on the 19-square-kilometre isle are the ‘rats’.  Well, not rats but quokkas. Back in 1696, Dutch explorer, Willem de Vlamingh mistook the cute little island critters as rats. He aptly named the island Rottnest – which translates literally to ‘rat’s nest’. One of the main attractions on the island today is snapping a photo alongside a quokka. You’ll find that on our list along with a bunch of our other favourite things to do with the kids on Rottnest Island.

1. Wadjemup Museum

Explore and learn about the fascinating history of Rottnest Island at Wadjemup Museum. Here visitors will uncover 40,000-year-old artefacts, vintage postcards, contemporary artworks and incredible outdoor sculptures.

The museum covers natural history, imprisonment, arts and culture, and flora and fauna. There are more than 17 displays to visit, plus a theatrette, audio experiences and an interactive touchscreen for kids. So no matter what your interests, there’ll be something for you.

Wadjemup Museum’s new name reflects the island’s Aboriginal heritage and honours the Whadjuk Noongar traditional owners.

To find the museum head inside the old Mill and Hay Store, located behind the Rottnest Bakery and General Store in the Settlement.

2. Get a selfie with a quokka 

You can’t go to Rottnest Island and not visit the famously happy inhabitants, the quokkas! 

If you do decide to snap a selfie with a quokka, there are few tips you should follow so you do it as ethically as possible. The happy critters are inquisitive so they’ll likely come to you. Don’t try and touch them or lure them in with food. After all, they are animals so they might bite. 

Quokkas are naturally nocturnal animals so you’re more likely to find them early morning and early evening year-round. They’ll be roaming around the main settlement or you can take a free guided walk into a natural quokka habitat.

3. Swim at The Basin

The Basin is one of the most well-known swimming and snorkelling spots at Rottnest Island thanks to its crystal-clear waters. So don’t forget to bring your snorkelling gear along.

It’s an ideal spot for young families with safe shallow waters and a picnic area shaded by plenty of pine trees. To find the Basin just follow the signposts out of the settlement past the tennis courts. You won’t be able to miss the turquoise water.

4. Segway tours

Why explore Rottnest Island on foot when you can do it on a Segway? Segway tours are an exciting way for kids aged 12 and above to see the island. Whether you’re a first time Segway rider or a seasoned expert you’ll be able to visit some otherwise hard-to-reach corners of Rottnest Island.

Tours can run for an hour or for a whole day and family package pricing is available, so you’ll be able to choose a tour the best suits your clan.

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5. Whale watching cruise

Not much will beat getting a glimpse of a humpback whale breaching out of Rottnest Island’s waters. Certified marine biologists at Rottnest Fast Ferries will be onboard your tour to point out the marine mammals and give you live expert commentary. 

Whale season along the Western Australian coastline is from August to early December. Go during this period for your chance at spotting these majestic underwater creatures. This will undoubtedly be one of the most unforgettable things you can do with the kids on Rottnest Island.

6. Hire bikes

With no cars on the island, the only way to get around is by hop-on hop-off bus or hiring a bike. So if your little ones love a good cycle Rottnest Pedal & Flipper hires out the bikes and gear you’ll need for a great day out. The island can be a little hilly so make sure to plan out your route to suit the ability of all your cyclers.

If you need a help getting around, the island offers Eco E-Bike Tours. The four-hour tours are set at a slower pace that will let your cruise along the coast and stop for a swim or beach walk at one of the bays.

7. The Island Explorer Bus

The Island Explorer Bus operates every half-hour from 8:30am to 4 pm on weekdays and from 8:30am to 6pm on weekends. It stops at 19 locations, from which it’s a relatively short walk to the water’s edge. 

Family pricing is available, it’s $50 for a family of two adults and two children. Tickets can be booked online, or at the Visitor Centre or main bus stop vending machines.

8. Little Salmon Bay

Little Salmon Bay is a family favourite spot on Rottnest Island. It has calm waters, reef pools and sheltered cliffs for some shade. It is an easy spot to get to as it is a designated stop on the Rottnest Island bus route. If you prefer cycling it’s only a few kilometres from the Thomson Bay Settlement.

With excellent visibility, coral reefs and energetic marine life, Little Salmon Bay is a top snorkelling destination. It’s so popular that an underwater trail has been set out. The snorkelling trail is marked by a series of buoys tied to information panels underwater. So follow the underwater plaques for your complete guide of Little Salmon Bay.

9. Look out for marine life

Apart from whale-watching, there are many other unique marine animals that you can spot at Rottnest Island. The island plays host to a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals in residence at Cathedral Rocks.

Pods of dolphins are regularly seen frolicking in the waters near the island and with the extensive reefs surrounding Rottnest Island, many species of coral, crustaceans, and fish can be found. You might even see an Eagle Ray cruising by.

Remember that for this wonderful ecosystem to continue to thrive visitors should not disturb the wildlife. 

10. Explore the lighthouses

There are two lighthouses you should visit while on Rottnest Island.

Wadjemup Lighthouse stands at the highest point of Rottnest Island. While the lighthouse itself is closed to visitors, the scenic spot will offer you a stunning view of Perth city on the distant mainland. Fun Fact: it is the fourth tallest lighthouse in Australia, at 38 metres high.

Three other buildings in the Wadjemup precinct, including the Signal Station, the Battery Observation Post and the Women’s Royal Australian Navy Service, are also intact and linked by self-guided interpretive signage.

The other lighthouse to visit is Bathurst Lighthouse which you’ll find on the northern edge of Rottnest Island. It was built to support Wadjemup Lighthouse. This lighthouse is also closed to visitors but at one of the highest points in Rottnest Island, it’s well worth visiting especially to see the sun go down over Pinky Beach.

11. Arrive by ferry

It’s pretty straight forward to get to Rottnest Island, only 18 kilometres west of Perth – just hop on a ferry. There are three ferry operators that run between Rottnest Island and Perth: Rottnest Express, Sealink and Rottnest Fast Ferries.

Ferries depart from Perth City, Barrack Street Jetty Elizabeth Quay, North Fremantle (Rous Head), Fremantle (Victoria Quay) and Hillary’s Boat Harbour 30 minutes north of Perth.

12. Glass-bottom sea kayaking

Experience the crystal clear waters from above and below on a glass-bottom sea kayaking tour. This is one of our top picks for things to do with the kids on Rottnest Island.

Anyone over 5 will be able to enjoy floating over colourful marine life, interesting coral and dramatic reef formations while staying relatively dry. Plus with live commentary on the tour, the kids will be fascinated by all the weird and wonderful facts they’ll learn about the marine life.

You can tag along an already-running tour or book your own private tour. The hour-long kayaking adventures require a moderate fitness level.

13. Aquaplay Kids Club

If your kids are the active type then let them pedal, paddle or walk on water at the Aquaplay Kids Club. The kids-only zone runs from 9:30am to 11:30am every weekday during the school holidays. Kids between the ages of 6 and 13 will get a kick out of the activities on offer including waterbiking, SUPing, water rolling, paddle boarding, tug of war, relays and sandcastle building – all while wearing a supplied life jacket. 

The club is run by friendly and enthusiastic team leaders that encourage the kids to remain active. It’s $50 a child or $45 if you’re booking for two or more children. Book in here.

14. Family Fun Park

Water activities aren’t the only thing to do with the kids on Rottnest Island. The family can have some on-land fun at Rottnest’s very own fun park. Whether you want to challenge your family to a round of mini-golf, jump on the trampolines or play some classic arcade games, there are activities galore at the family fun park.

It’s just as much fun for the adults as for the kids. You’ll get a nostalgic fix with retro pinball machines, Pac-man, Space Invaders and air hockey. If after all that you need to wind down and you’re after some low-key fun, head to the park’s deckchair cinema to catch a flick at Rottnest Movies.

The family fun park has homemade crepes, fresh coffee, ice cream and cold drinks on offer to keep you fuelled up for an energetic afternoon. Entry to the family fun park is free but each of the activities are priced differently, find them here.

15. Fly over Rottnest Island in an air-taxi

Explore Rottnest Island from an all-new perspective – from above. Maybe you’re after a transfer to or from Rottnest Island or you just want a quick joy ride to see the island from its best angles. Either way, Rottnest Air Taxi offers private flights shared only with your pilot.

If you’ve got some air-borne first-timers with you, Rottnest Air Taxi runs a 10-minute scenic joy flight so you can test out how you feel. Prices vary depending on the route you choose and how many people are flying. Kids younger than three are carried free of charge.

16. Visit the historic Lomas Cottage

This cottage was originally built by the government for ex-convict John Lomas in 1870. You’ll uncover much about this intriguing character by reading the information plaques dotted around the cottage. Lomas Cottage now serves as an exhibition featuring different displays each month. Its current exhibition presents a series of work by WA artist, Tania Ferrier.

17. Hire a boat

With over 63 secluded beaches and 20 bays, you might want to scout out Rottnest’s waters at your own pace. You can by hiring a boat from Boating West. A range of hire boats from 4.2 metres to 6 metres are available for a half- or full-day hire. So whether you like fishing, water sports, sightseeing, marine life spotting or just cruising out on the water, Boating West has you covered.

Their team all live close by, so you’ll have the advantage of local knowledge to inform you of the weather conditions, local boat ramps, fuel stations and fishing hot spots. All their boats are fully equipped with safety gear that is already included in the price. It’ll be a cruisy fun-filled day with the family. This is one of the things to do with the kids on Rottnest Island that you don’t want to miss out on.

18. Skydiving

If you’re really game Skydiving Geronimo offers skydives for everyone aged 12 and up. You and your little adrenaline-junkie can really get your blood pumping on a 30-, 60- or 66-second free fall. It doesn’t sound all that scary when you put it like that. But the jumps are only some 3000- to 4500-metre falls.

Don’t fear you’re in very safe hands. Your tandem skydiving instructor has done this a thousand times before. They’ll help you jump and they’ll deploy the main parachute. All you have to do is focus on doing ‘the Superman’ for your in-air photo.

With all that said is your jumpsuit on? Harness tight? Safety briefing complete? Then open the doors and GO!

19. Check out the Pilot Boathouse

Delve into more of Rottnest Island’s culture and history. The Pilot Boathouse is a striking display of Rottnest’s maritime history. It features a replica pilot boat and historical photographs that will take you back in time. It was originally built so that pilots could guide ships safely through the reefs and around the Island to Freemantle Harbour. You’ll find the Pilot Boathouse just up the seawall east of the Visitor Centre. It’s only open from 1pm to 3pm each day, so be sure to time your visit right.

20. Take a Thrill Ride on the Rottnest Express

If the skydiving was too much for you but you’d still like a good dose of adrenaline make sure you book the Thrill Ride tour. The aptly nicknamed “rollercoaster of the sea” will cruise Rottnest’s coastline at high speed. Be warned this tour is not suitable for kids under 4, expectant mothers or people with pre-existing back injuries.

The 45-minute tour will coast along bright aqua waters and have the ocean breeze and sea spray in your hair. As a bonus, the tour stops along the way for you to admire sea lions, seals and dolphins.

21. Eat at the best spots on Rottnest Island

Whether you want a quick cafe bite, local produce or a sophisticated evening dinner there are plenty of places for you to eat on Rottnest Island. Hit up Frankie’s on Rotto for a casual vibe and handmade pizzas. For a dinner with a view go to Pinky’s Beach Club which takes in beautiful sunset views of the beach and Bathurst Lighthouse.

We also love Dome’s Cafe, just a short stroll from the ferry jetty. It offers a seasonal menu and classic hot and cold beverages. If you’re craving a sweet pastry treat, visit Rottnest Bakery for the best locally made vanilla slice or jam doughnut.

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Main image: Rottnest Island © Tourism Western Australia

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