How to Make the Most of your Day Trip with a Late-Return Ferry

Stay a little longer and experience the wonder of Wadjemup / Rottnest Island after dark, before returning to the mainland on a late ferry.

3 minutes

Turn a day trip into an evening of lasting memories. Embrace the chance to stay a little longer on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island.

A day’s escape to Wadjemup can wrap up with a wonder-filled evening (without the need to plan an overnight stay). As the sun’s rays soften to a golden glow, opportunities to explore further emerge.

With your return journey home at 9 pm and longer daylight hours during the warmer months, the freedom is yours to discover more. There’s no need to rush, instead, use this precious time to rest, reconnect, and appreciate all that’s here.

Here are some ways to make the most of every extra hour together:

Unwind with an afternoon cycle

Pick up a gentle pace and follow the mini loop around the kabikarning (salt lakes); a short and relaxing ride that can be paused at any moment to watch nature’s afternoon sky show. Cast your eyes to the horizon to catch the fiery colours of the sunset reflected in the waters around you.

Follow the path to Geordie Bay, where boats bob in the gentle tide, then continue along the north side to Parakeet Bay. Park your bike on the sand for a moment of pure serenity before making the return journey back to the main settlement.

Slip into the sea

As the sun brushes your skin with fading strength, make for your favourite bay or beach for a late afternoon dip. Let gentle waves lap around your body, both soothing and invigorating after a busy day together. Walkable beaches from the main settlement include Pinky Beach, The Basin, and Longreach Bay, all ideal for making it back in time for dinner and drinks.

Find a special souvenir

After a day of exploring, find respite from the sun at Island Gypsy and Indianic Boutique, where curious shoppers can browse in cool, air-conditioned comfort until late afternoon. Discover stylish fashion to slip into or pick up a souvenir. It’s a simple way to hold onto the day after you’ve left, transporting you back to Wadjemup with every glimpse of your keepsake.

Cycle along Longreach Bay

Sunset at Pinky Beach

Quokka spotting

Twilight wildlife walks

When daylight dwindles, the native kwoka (quokka) gets increasingly active around the island. Take advantage of these lively twilight hours and make the short stroll from the main settlement to Garden Lake: one of the best places to spot a quokka. Walk the boardwalk here and appreciate these fascinating marsupials from a respectable distance.

Marvel in a sunset

With hours left before the last ferry leaves, linger as long as you like in the kaleidoscope of a Wadjemup sunset. Make more of the moment together and pack a picnic with goodies from the General Store to share while you watch this natural spectacle from a lookout spot. The Basin, Pinky Beach, and Bathurst Lighthouse make for some of the best vantage points, offering uninterrupted views across the Indian Ocean.

Sip, eat, indulge a little longer

Whether you’re after some drinks, tasty bites, or heartier fare before your return ferry, there are plenty of delicious places to eat and drink around the island.

Gaze up at the stars

Wander out into the night and look up in awe. Without the city lights of the mainland, it’s easy to spot constellations glimmering above. Bathurst Lighthouse and Vlamingh Lookout provide ideal stargazing conditions, but be sure to take a torch to ensure a safe return to the main settlement in the dark. At these lookouts, find beauty in the silence. Or let this unique experience spark and stretch conversation, unhurried and alive with newfound connection.