Just a 90-minute ferry ride from Perth's (Boorloo) Barrack Street Jetty, Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) is a tranquil haven that's home to 63 sunkissed beaches, more than 40 kilometres of hiking trails and the world's largest wild quokka population. Whether you'd like to explore the isle on a bike or on foot, here's our guide to the best things to do on Rottnest Island.

Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

Spot a quokka

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No visit would be complete without catching sight of Rottnest Island's most famous residents. Quokkas are inquisitive, friendly creatures and are known to come up to visitors and say hello (adopt a look-but-don't-touch policy). If you're really lucky, they'll even pose for a quick selfie with you.

Image credit: Sea Kayak Rottnest

See what lies beneath in a glass-bottomed kayak

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Peer into the waters off Pinky Beach in a glass-bottomed kayak on a Sea Kayak Rottnest tour. Your guide will provide a running commentary on the action happening beneath you – the only thing you need to do is paddle and occasionally look up to avoid collisions.

Take a hike

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Rottnest has more than 40 kilometres of walking trails stretching to deserted headlands, serene inland lakes and military remnants at Oliver Hill. There are five trails that make up the Wadjemup Bidi network (bidi means “trail” or “track” in the traditional Whadjuk owners’ Noongar language); each trail takes between two and four hours one way (not including stops for quokka spotting).

There’s more to Rottnest Island than cute quokkas. Get on island time and discover all this magical place has to offer. Book your flights to Perth here.

Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

Snorkel the Little Salmon Bay trail

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Shipwrecks, tropical fish, coral and super-clear water make Rottnest Island a spectacular destination for snorkellers and scuba divers. Just a few kilometres from Thomson Bay, Little Salmon Bay is popular with families thanks to its sheltered location and dedicated snorkel trail. The loop guides snorkellers via a series of plaques in the seabed that detail the marine life you’ll likely see in the area.

Take a historic train ride

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The 64-seat Captain Hussey train travels between Settlement Railway Station and Oliver Hill, with gorgeous scenery out the window along the way. At Oliver Hill, located near the centre of the island, there are fascinating remnants from World War II, including underground tunnels and 9.2-inch gun emplacements. Volunteer guides operate tours daily on the hour between 10:30am and 2:30pm.

Beautiful beaches, winding bike trails, sea creatures and cute quokkas: Rottnest Island is ready for you. Plan your Perth stopover now.

Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

Hire a bicycle

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With 63 beaches and 20 bays – and virtually no cars – Rottnest Island is a pedaller’s paradise. There’s no need to wear spandex, though, as Rottnest is crisscrossed with bike trails for all levels of experience. The 30-minute, four-kilometre Rotto Mini Loop wheels past some of the island’s most popular attractions, while the Island Ride takes between two and five hours. BYO or hire some wheels at Pedal & Flipper.

Keep your eyes peeled on a whale-watching cruise

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Rotto sits right on the Humpback Highway: waters traversed by an estimated 45,000 whales on their migration along the Western Australian coastline between September and November. On a two-hour Whale Watching Cruise with Whale Watching Perth, you’ll witness humpbacks taking a break on their way to Antarctica and have the opportunity to chat with the on-board marine biologist.

Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

Find hard-to-reach spots on a Segway tour

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If pedalling uphill seems too much like hard work for a holiday, choose two wheels of a different kind. Rottnest Island Segway Tours offers two itineraries: Settlement Explorer, from Kingston Barracks along sparkling Thomson Bay and on to Rottnest Pub, with plenty of time to pause for quokka sightings; and Fortress Adventure, which takes visitors off-road to Bickley Battery gun emplacements and Jubilee Lookout.

There’s more to Rottnest Island than cute quokkas. Get on island time and discover all this magical place has to offer. Book your flights to Perth here.

Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

Get a seal’s-eye view at Cathedral Rocks

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The viewing platform at Cathedral Rocks provides an excellent vantage point from which to watch Rottnest’s resident New Zealand fur seals frolic in the water and sun themselves on the rocks. The waters are off-limits to humans but from the platform you can observe the seals closely without disturbing them. Reach this special location by bike or Island Explorer bus.

Image credit: Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences

Learn the island's history

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Did you know that before sea levels rose – following the last ice age over 6500 years ago – Rottnest Island was connected to the mainland? While the landscape has changed drastically since then, the isle remains a place of deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Whadjuk Noongar people. On a 60-minute walking tour with Go Cultural you'll be welcomed with a traditional sand ceremony and hear the ancient Dreaming stories of the area before learning about the island's more recent history.

Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

Catch lunch on a luxe seafood cruise

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The Luxe Island Seafood Cruise is a delicious journey into the sparkling blue ocean off Rottnest Island. The crew helps guests pull up pots of Western rock lobster and fish before it’s all transformed into the freshest seven-course lunch imaginable. Expect Western Australian wines, salty breezes and the gentle lapping of the clear water.

Just off Perth’s coast, Rottnest Island is a gem waiting for you to discover it. Explore this magical place when you plan your WA stopover at qantas.com

Jump aboard the Island Explorer

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If you have mobility problems, small kids or limited energy, buy tickets for the Island Explorer Bus, which departs every 45 minutes between 9am and 3pm. There are 19 hop-on hop-off stops, including Henrietta Rocks, Porpoise Bay, Wadjemup Lighthouse and Little Parakeet Bay.

Play 9 holes on the island golf course

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At the new Lodge Wadjemup, you’ll be playing on an elevated grass course in a unique setting with views that are striking enough to distract you from your game. Afterwards, head to Sunsets Bar & Dining for a custom cocktail and fresh Mediterranean-inspired fare to savour as the sun goes down.

Image credit: Tourism Western Australia

See the whole island from the sky

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It’s hard to say what will be running through your mind as you free-fall for 30 seconds from 10,000 feet over Rottnest Island. Perhaps you’ll marvel at the colour of the water, ponder the diminutive size of the isle or question the decision to hurl yourself out of a plane. You can discuss it with fellow thrillseekers over the beer, wine or soft drink that’s included on a tandem jump with Skydive Geronimo.

There’s more to Rottnest Island than cute quokkas. Get on island time and discover all this magical place has to offer. Book your flights to Perth here.

Image credit: Tourism Western Australia