40 Ways to Spend Winter on Wadjemup

There’s no shortage of things to see and do on the island when the temperature dips. In fact, many unique seasonal experiences emerge.

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Hike along the lakes

Embrace the cool change and all the opportunities to experience a different side of Wadjemup / Rottnest Island that come with it. Here’s your guide to enjoying all that the island has to offer during winter:

First Things First

1. Stay overnight: With so much to see and do you may like to think about extending your visit and enjoying a cosy night or two away from the mainland.

Wildlife spotting

2. Quokkas: Cool weather increases kwoka (quokka) activity and welcomes the arrival of quokka joeys. Visitors in August will delight in the sight of tiny joeys peeking out of their mothers’ pouches. Visit the best quokka spotting locations.

3. Whales: Keep your eyes to the coastline! Sightings of these majestic creatures can begin as early as June, with migration season in full force from August. Find where to spot them.

4. Birds: Winter rains bring bursting birdlife to the island, particularly around ngobar (coastal) areas and the balyan boodja (wetlands). Discover the birds you may encounter.

Outdoor activities for all

5. Hiking: Take to the trails of the Wadjemup Bidi while the rejuvenating cooler days allow you to cover extra steps with ease.

6. Coastal walks: The bays and beaches take on a lively energy during winter. Witness it for yourself on a wonderfully wind-swept walk.

7. Cycling: Without the intensity of the summer sun, power your way to the furthest reaches of the island your legs can take you.

8. Fishing: Cast a line and relish in the stillness as you anticipate your catch of the day.

9. Surfing: With multiple swell directions and strong conditions, the island has breaks to rival Margaret River without the hours spent driving to get there.

10. Golf for big kids and little: Bring your buddies for a 9-hole round surrounded by nature, or tackle the 18 thrilling holes of the mini golf course.

11. Lawn bowls: The golf course isn’t the only green that beckons; slip off your shoes and enjoy some casual competition on a clear day.

12. Snorkelling and diving: Appreciate the thrill of slipping into the waters of Wadjemup in a wetsuit to see the tropical delights that lie beneath the waves.

13. Pickleball: Serve up some fun and discover the joy of pickleball at the Bathurst Point Tennis Courts, a sport suitable for all ages and abilities.

The backs of two whales on the ocean surface

Whale watching season at Rottnest Island

Winter hikes

Winter cycles

Fishing

Checking the surf

Aerial view of golf course

Snorkelling in the cooler months

Cosy indoor experiences

14. Wander the museums: Rain or shine, any day is ideal for immersing yourself in the culture and history housed at Wadjemup Museum and Pilot Boathouse.

15. Get your game on: Kids and kids at heart will be enticed by the bright lights and endless fun of the arcade at Rottnest Movies & Mini Golf.

16. Savour winter dining: With winter in full swing, indulge in seasonal menus and special dining experiences, from hearty Sunday roasts to exclusive wine-paired dinners, served across the island's cafes and restaurants.

17. Sip on mulled wine: Bayside Bar will be serving up glasses of warming wine to enjoy around the outdoor firepits, in addition to their expansive drinks menu.

Take a tour

18. Cycling tours: Take in the ever-changing island views as you pedal. Take it easy with Paul's Eco E-Bike tours for a cruisey guided journey.

19. Bus tours: Appreciate the island scenery while staying cosy, as you cover major habitats from the comfort of your seat with commentary along the way.

20. Quokka Coaches Island Explorer hop-on-hop-off bus: Explore at your own pace with this shuttle service that stops at 19 different locations around the island.

21. Wadjemup Lighthouse tour: Join the Rottnest Voluntary Guides and ascend this iconic structure together, listening to tales along the way.

22. Oliver Hill Gun & Tunnels tour: The Rottnest Voluntary Guides also run tours that take you underground to learn about the island’s intricate military history.

23. Train tour: Pair your Oliver Hill visit with a trip on the Captain Hussey train, which takes you from the settlement to this historic site and back again.

24. Scenic flight tours: Take to the skies with Rottnest Air-Taxi for unparalleled views of the island and all that surrounds, including migrating whales (for lucky travellers).

25. Segway Tours WA: Glide around to areas you’re yet to discover on a scenic tour or off-road experience.

26. Free walking tours: These free guided tours are run by the Rottnest Voluntary Guides daily (weather permitting), and detail the wildlife, heritage, and sustainability of the island.

Mulled wine from Bayside Bar

Rottnest Air Taxi

Visit Wadjemup Lighthouse

Explore by bus

Frankie’s on Rotto BBQ sourdough pizza

Walter McGuire from Go Cultural Tours

Outside of Wadjemup Museum

Pilot Boathouse

Discover Aboriginal History

27. Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences walking tour: Join Noongar guide, Walter McGuire, on an award-winning walking tour and heighten your understanding of Wadjemup and its history.

28. Koorda's Crew Tours and Workshops: Give the kids an opportunity to explore Wadjemup's Aboriginal culture through stories, hands-on fun, and imagination.

29. Mirliny Cultural Yarning Experience: Join a yarning circle to learn about Noongar Creation Stories and the Noongar six seasons.

30. Dooga Waalitj Healing Cultural Experiences: Discover the heart and spirit of Wadjemup with Aboriginal guides who share culture, history, and stories of truth and reconciliation.

Natural winter wonders

31. Observe the full salt lakes: Bask in the beauty of the kabikarning (salt lake) systems after the winter rains as they transition to richer hues.

32. Head to a lookout: Let the landscape unfold below and beyond you from one of the island’s main vantage points.

33. Visit the West End: The most western point of the island is a haven for winter wildlife, including birds, migrating whales and long-nosed fur seals. Wander the boardwalk and pause at the lookouts for the best vantage points for wildlife spotting.

34. Marvel at a sunset: Embrace the end of a winter day and watch the sun slip below the Indian Ocean horizon before you return home. Or extend your stay to enjoy the experience in unhurried glory.

For the Stay-Overs

35. Indulge in a massage: Unwind in your accommodation with a massage from the relaxation experts at Mobile Massage on Rottnest Island by Golden Bees.

36. Watch a movie: Rug up with warm, buttery popcorn and a blockbuster in the heritage-listed Picture Hall at Rottnest Movies.

37. Swap stories by the fire: The flames will be dancing and crackling into the evenings inside Hotel Rottnest and The Lodge Wadjemup as well as in the outdoor firepits outside Bayside Bar and Pinky's Rottnest Island.

38. Spend the night in: Make the most of your accommodation by cooking a hearty meal or having a takeaway, busting out a board game and enjoying the company of your people.

39. Stargaze: Wander out into the crisp night air and peer up into a star-speckled sky. The glow of each star burns brightly without the competition of city lights. Remember to take a torch!

40. Catch a sunrise: Watch the magic that unfolds across the morning sky before you make your way back to the mainland with a sense of renewed energy.