40 ways to spend winter on Wadjemup

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:

Wildlife spotting

1. 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.

2. 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 here.

3. 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 here.

Outdoor activities for all

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

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

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

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

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

9. Mini golf: The course features 18 thrilling holes in the presence of native flora and fauna.

10. Golf: Bring your buddies for a 9-hole round surrounded by nature, from lush tuart trees to the flowing waters of the course’s creeks.

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.

Cosy indoor experiences

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

14. 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.

15. Sample new season menus: Now that winter is in full swing, so too are the seasonal meals on offer from all your favourite cafes and restaurants.

16. Sourdough special: Visit Frankie’s on Rotto for daily pizza and drink deals between 3 and 5 pm.

17. Sunday Roasts: Head to Hotel Rottnest from midday onwards to indulge in a mouthwatering roast meal.

18. 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

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 or Major Blue Air for unparalleled views of the island and all that surrounds, including migrating whales (for lucky travellers).

25. 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 complex history.

26. Capture the Light photography tours: Let your winter memories live on well beyond your visit with tips and tricks to capture your own professional photographs.

27. Segway Tours WA: Zip around to areas you’re yet to discover on a scenic tour or off-road adventure.

28. 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.

Natural winter wonders

29. 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.

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

31. 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.

32. 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.

Extend your visit

33. Stay overnight: Quieter crowds during winter means it’s easier to enjoy a cosy night or two away from the mainland. Explore the seasonal offers available here.

34. Indulge in a massage: Unwind in your accommodation with a massage from the relaxation experts at Mobile Massage on Rottnest Island by Golden Bees. Plus, save $30 on a 75-minute massage before the end of August (conditions apply).

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

36. Quiz yourselves: Bring out your competitive side at the weekly Hotel Rottnest quiz nights for brain-twisters and awesome prizes. Bookings essential.

37. Swap stories by the fire: The flames will be dancing and crackling into the evenings inside Hotel Rottnest and in the outdoor firepits outside Bayside Bar.

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.