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Winter school holiday fun for all

Ignite adventure with a visit to Wadjemup / Rottnest Island. An action-packed itinerary awaits with winter school holiday activities and wonder for all to appreciate.

5 minutes

Spot wildlife around the lakes

Bundle up and make your way to Wadjemup / Rottnest Island this July school holidays. Here, families of all ages will be delighted by the island’s natural wonders, active wildlife, and seasonal activities.

Winter on Rottnest Island

If your family has only experienced Rottnest Island in summer, it’s time to discover the wonder of winter. Daily temperatures are mild, while trails and beaches are blissfully quiet. Accommodation is also more readily available, often with seasonal deals. It’s a time when the quieter side of the island’s natural beauty beckons, whether you're spotting native wildlife, enjoying a scenic cycle, or observing your surroundings with warm drinks in hand. With cosy delights around every corner, including free school holiday activities, this just might become your favourite season to visit.

Outdoor winter fun for families

Wildlife spotting

Whether you wander near or far, there are endless opportunities to spot winter wildlife. Stroll a few minutes away from the main settlement to Garden Lake and amble along the boardwalk surrounded by the fascinating happenings of the kwoka (quokka) from a respectful distance.

While you wander near the kabikarning (salt lakes), listen out for unique species of (kooboolong) frogs that repopulate with the winter rains, then take to the ngobar (coastal) trails for sightings of the island’s many djerap (birds).

Further afield at West End, keep little eyes fixed on the waves for possible glimpses of maamoong (whales) on their annual migration.

Explore on two wheels

Let outdoor exploring be fuelled by the revitalising energy cooler weather offers. Glide around as a group thanks to the large selection of children’s bikes, baby seats and trailers at Pedal & Flipper Hire. The 4 km Rotto Mini Loop trail is a popular pick for families, starting from Thomson Bay and passing through bushland and striking coastland. When you’re rosy-cheeked and ready to refuel, Geordie’s Café & Art Gallery offers a selection of kids’ meals and moreish mains, plus outdoor seating and a playground nearby.

For families with kids aged 12 and older, Segway Tours WA provides a few hours of guided exploration. Teens will love the independence that comes with these two-wheeled tours, which can either take you off-road to hidden reaches or around popular attractions.

Quokka spotting in the rain

Look out for wildlife

Get a closer look through the binoculars

Whale watching season at Rottnest Island

Cycle with the whole family

Flock of birds

Hiking

Take to the trails of the Wadjemup Bidi together, powered by cool salty air. It’s a dreamy season to trek along winding beachside trails, towards hidden coves, panoramic salt lakes or the wild West End. Each shared step invites new discovery. Spot passing marine life, splash in fresh puddles, and breathe in surrounding earthy scents. There are trails spanning across the island, to suit all abilities and ages.

Take a historical tour

Bring young explorers to learn more about the legacy of Oliver Hill. Better still, arrive via rail on the historical Captain Hussey train that departs from the main settlement. The Oliver Hill Gun & Tunnels Tour details the history of the battery before taking you below ground to navigate the tunnels. Watch for excited faces when the Ghost Engine elicits a mighty roar.

Above ground, share a sense of family accomplishment by ascending 155 stairs on a Wadjemup Lighthouse Tour. Your guide will share tales of engineering feats, before you marvel in the 360-degree views, including the Perth city skyline (on clear days). Nearby, Kalli’s on Rotto provides a welcome place to park up and enjoy panoramic views with a warming drink before or after your climb.

Please note participants on this tour must be a minimum of five years of age, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Catch the train

Oliver Hill

Oliver Hill underground tunnels

View from Wadjemup Lighthouse

Cosy indoor island activities

Rottnest Movies & Mini Golf

Tee off for a round of family mini golf and enjoy a light-hearted game. If rain clouds gather overhead, the bright lights of the arcade offer a thrilling way to spend a few hours. Then, once everyone’s worked up an appetite, stroll over to Dome for crowd-pleasing meals, plus creamy hot chocolates for good measure.

Staying overnight? Head to the historic Picture Hall for family-friendly flicks and the latest blockbusters paired with warm, buttery popcorn from the candy bar.

Fireside dining

Throughout the day and into the evenings, settle in at these family-friendly spots for drinks and food beside dancing flames. The fireplace is roaring inside at Hotel Rottnest and Sunsets Bar & Dining, where you can savour seasonal menus featuring hearty comfort food all day.

Later in the day, enjoy quality time together beside the outdoor firepits at Pinky’s Rottnest Island. Enjoy tasty, shared bites alongside cheek-flushing red wine, while the little ones are entertained by the gooey goodness of complimentary marshmallows.

Mini golf

Watch a movie at the Picture Hall

Popcorn from the candy bar

Roast marshmallows at Pinky's Rottnest Island

School holiday activities and events

Wadjemup Wirin Bidi: Wadjemup Daisy Crocheting Workshop

Saturday 12 July 2025

Join Aboriginal artists and presenters for this hands-on workshop. As a participant, you'll learn about the cultural significance of the beautiful Wadjemup Daisy while crocheting your own to take home. Registrations are essential for this free, beginner-friendly workshop.

Rottnest Voluntary Guides winter school holiday program

The Rottnest Voluntary Guides Association (RVGA) run a program of free activities and tours to get kids of all ages to learn more about the island during the winter school holidays. Download the program here.

20 Questions Challenge: Channel your inner detective and follow the trail of clues. This challenge changes each week and gets everyone involved, with the possibility of winning the weekly prize (drawn on Thursdays). Collect your entry form at the Rottnest Voluntary Guides Information Booth.

Birds and Beasts of Rottnest Island: Winter marks a special time of the year when the island's djerap (birds), reptiles, and mammals are particularly active and abundant. Join a guided tour to see and hear some of these creatures in their natural habitat. Binoculars are available to spot those on the shy side.

Sunsets at Vlamingh Lookout: Take a twilight stroll up to the lookout to watch the sun slowly melt into a kaleidoscope of colours over the kabikarning (salt lakes). Along the way, your guide will share stories about the island’s natural history, the first settlers, and the Dutch explorers.

Night Skies tour: Marvel in the sparkle of the winter sky over Wadjemup while you listen to captivating stories. Tours depart from both the settlement and Geordie Bay mall, offering the opportunity to share a meal beforehand. Around the settlement, Frankie’s on Rotto serves up hearty fare like handmade sourdough pizzas and belly-warming pasta dishes. Subway pizzas make for an easy meal, as does an early dinner of hot chicken, chips and roast veggies from the Chook Shack window at Rottnest Bakery.

Rottnest Voluntary Guides Free Walking Tours: The guides also offer free daily walking tours year-round. Environmental awareness and historical education are a primary focus during tours, which can include wildlife sightings, stories of shipwrecks, sailors and past settlement workers, plus information detailing the agriculture, industry, geology, and marine reserves of the island.