10 Unmissable Activities To Enjoy This Winter On Rottnest Island

This is your guide to experiencing the island when the weather cools down, but your adventurous spirit doesn’t.

5 minutes

Take in the views

When the mercury dips and others escape indoors, embrace an invitation for adventure.

Winter on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island sees the island burst into life, with muted summer hues replaced by bright bushland and jewel-toned seas. The land stirs with wildlife and the endless potential for connection.

When you step off the ferry, there’s a familiarity that washes over you. The bold blue hues of Thomson Bay; soft whispers of salt in the air; the anticipation of all that awaits… But in winter, there’s a newfound sense of adventure afoot – no matter how many times you and your fellow companions have visited the island.

Let the following list of unmissable Rottnest Island winter activities help navigate your upcoming visit, but don’t be afraid to craft your own experiences along the way. This is your journey… let curiosity be your guide.

1. Cycle around the island

The responsibilities of daily life are left on the mainland, just like your usual mode of transport. With minimal cars around, stretches of quiet open road invite leisurely cycling explorations. During winter, take the opportunity to go further afield. Cooler temperatures increase stamina and allow for longer journeys – like to the wild and unmissable West End.

Every day presents a picturesque backdrop, whether the sun dazzles overhead or clouds form a blanket above. Coast around on clear, cool days for deep blue ocean views and frequent flashes of the flourishing native bushland around you. When the sun hides away, dappled skies enhance the rich shades of the surrounding Indian Ocean, and bring enjoyable rides scented with freshly dampened vegetation.

2. Witness migrating whales

If the question “is Rottnest Island worth visiting in winter?” has ever passed your lips, it’s sure to be silenced upon witnessing the seasonal spectacle of migrating whales. Every winter, majestic maamoong (whales) migrate along the Western Australian coastline, pausing at the sheltering waters of Wadjemup to rest along the journey.

Whale watching can take place as early as June, with migration season in full force from August to December. During this time, a trek out to Cape Vlamingh or Cathedral Rocks viewing platforms may offer more than just an invigorating hike. You and your crew could witness the unforgettable mighty movements of these deep-sea creatures, as flipping bodies outline the horizon.

Whales spotted swimming past Geordie Bay

Cycling with friends

Whale sightings

3. Hike the Wadjemup Bidi

Five unique adventures await on the trails of the Wadjemup Bidi; each trailsection threads a corner of the island, bursting with winter flora and fauna. This special season presents the opportunity to wander as far as you like, without the sun slowing you down.

The Hike Collective offers guided tours of each trail, with the Lakes & Bays hike taking you on a trek past pink-tinted kabikarning (salt lakes), historic landmarks, and windblown coastal headlands – a seasonal delight. Or, gather your own group for a self-guided walk, using Smartreka as your digital navigation companion. Reconnect with one another as you meander mindfully, pausing along the way to take it all in.

4. Marvel at historic buildings

When rain clouds loom, look to the heritage buildings of Wadjemup. Here, stories of the past are grounded by tangible pieces of history. Start with a grounding experience at Wadjemup Museum. As you step into the Old Mill and Hay Store building, you can feel the presence of a complex and meaningful history.

Just a short bus ride or cycle into the centre of island, Wadjemup Lighthouse stands tall. Feel the warmth build in your muscles with every satisfying step up the 38-metre structure. At the top, let cool air slow your breath and appreciate a new perspective of Perth’s skyline, distorted by distance and the shimmering ocean in between. Closer to sea level, iconic landmarks including Signal Station, Battery Observation Post, and the Women’s Royal Australian Navy Service House lie at the base of Wadjemup Hill. Follow the self-guided interpretive signage that tells stories of the past.

Wadjemup Lighthouse

Hiking in winter

Oliver Hill from above

5. Sit, sip and eat!

Celebrate your efforts in coordinating a successful group getaway with island dining. Eating hearty meals and toasting with local tipples (preferably by a roaring fireplace) is all part of the winter experience. Wadjemup has plenty of cosy venues open during winter to indulge your senses, or to simply pop in for a quick, tasty bite before resuming your adventures. There are also takeaway spots to fuel hiking or cycling journeys on the go.

6. Appreciate the native wildlife

During the cooler months, there’s a stillness that is hard to replicate at any other time. You feel it and the wildlife feels it too. Native creatures are often observed nesting, emerging for the first time, and migrating through ocean waters. It’s as if this special time on the island has been purpose-designed for a memorable wildlife experience. Watch multiple bird species glide across the water, encounter bats fly silently overhead, and witness mother quokkas carrying their babies in their pouches.

7. Catch a winter wave

Become salt-crusted creatures for the weekend with the surf (mostly) all to yourselves. Stay overnight and wake up to an empty beach for your first surf at Wadjemup. Paddle out, turn your faces to the slowly emerging sun and let the sunrise glow distract you from the cool water immersion.

At Strickland Bay, swells come from various directions and light up different sections of the reef — so there are good waves guaranteed. Other Wadjemup surf breaks include West End, Stark Bay, and Chicken Reef. You can hire surfboard racks for your bike from Pedal & Flipper Hire and you can transport surfboards over on the ferry.

Cosy meals at Lontara

Quokka spotting

Quokka at Garden Lake

Bird watching

8. Snorkel pristine waters

With summer crowds long gone, you only have underwater inhabitants to share the sea with. Clear winter days make for ideal snorkelling conditions in the protected waters of Wadjemup. Better still, the island reaps the benefits of the local Leeuwin Current which runs down the coast. Tropical waters of the Kimberley region waft down to warm bays and beaches, making a wetsuit-clad snorkel an enjoyable winter activity.

Just find a sheltered area like Little Parakeet Bay or The Basin, where you can avoid wintery waves and spot sea creatures easily through the clarity of calm waters.

9. Dive in underwater sanctuaries

Keep your wetsuits zipped up, there’s more underwater adventures to be had. Go out deeper and descend through the crystal-clear water to find an abundance of tropical fish. The island is a heralded diving site, with meadows of seagrass, corals blooming in shades of yellow, green, and pink, and schools of yellow-striped western footballer fish.

The waters surrounding Wadjemup are also dotted with shipwrecks like Denton Holme, a vessel from the 1800s which sits at the edge of a cave system, its bow reaching towards the surface at low tide.

10. Take a refreshing plunge

A pleasantly surprising fact for most island visitors: winter here is actually a few degrees warmer than the mainland of Perth. In fact, average land and sea temperatures are similar during the cooler months. When the sun’s out to play, test the bounds of your comfort zone on a cool-plunge adventure that awakens your winter self. You’ve carved out time to be here, why not fully immerse yourself in all that the island offers.

For inspiration on how to fit these uniquely winter activities into your island itinerary, check out this guide to two action-packed island days. Featuring fresh coastal walks, ideas for hearty fuel and tips for finding the best swell, ensuring every moment brims with adventure.