The Ultimate Beach Glamping- Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Rottnest island

Rottnest Island has to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet. It’s the perfect destination for couples, families, and honeymooners alike. It has unparalleled white sandy beaches and coral reefs that will take your breath away.

And did I mention water sports, shipwrecks, and swimming with dolphins? If you love scuba diving or surfing you will never want to leave.   It’s also the ideal place to simply unwind, relax on the beach and let the salty air and sea breeze wash away your cares. 

Let’s take a look at the adventures you will have on Rottnest Island starting with the first eco-resort and glamping experience.

GLAMPING on rottnest island

A $20 million eco-friendly glamping resort opened on Rottnest Island in March 2019 and has launched the island to another level of luxury. It’s the first accommodation to be built on the island in more than 30 years, and it’s wonderful. Nestled behind the iconic Pinky Beach dunes, Discovery Rottnest Island is a holiday accommodation with a difference.

As the first low impact, glamping experience on island, enrichment, connection, and minimal impact are the core values. Let’s take a look at the ultimate glamping experience.

TENT + ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES

Set in one of the most beautiful locations on the Island, Pinky Beach, here’s what to expect-

• 6.3m x 6.3 – 98sqm
• King bed
• Premium ocean views
• Ensuite bathroom
• Day bed
• Walk-in robe
• Kitchenette with bar fridge, kettle, and toaster
• Private deck with outdoor setting
• Floor to ceiling glass sliding door outlook
• Use of hotel swimming pool
• Restaurant and bar
• BBQ area

amazing things to do

Spend days exploring unique bays and all that they have to offer by foot, bicycle, or take the Island Explorer bus.

explore underwater

The marine environment offers a stunning array of snorkeling destinations. Popular spots include The Basin, Parakeet Bay, Parker Point, Little Salmon Bay, and Little Armstrong Bay.

Snorkel sets can be hired from Rottnest Island Pedal & Flipper, located just behind Hotel Rottnest.

Refer to the marine life section of the site for more information about what you can expect to see on a dive in the Rottnest Island Marine Reserve.

Several private diving charters operate from the mainland but can also be arranged to pick-up and drop-off divers.

EXPLORing THE BEACHES AND BAYS on rottnest island

Home to some of the finest beaches and bays in the world. With a choice of over 63 secluded beaches and 20 bays, you will be spoilt for choice.

Awarded top Australian beaches by Australia’s prestigious travel guide Explore Australia and voted the Top Destination to Experience in Australia in the Experience Oz poll.

The Basin is ideal for kids, with its water is shallow by the beach, and incredible for snorkeling further out.

TAKE A SELFIE WITH THE QUOKKA!

Chris Hemsworth and Margo Robbie took a selfie with these little guys and sent them trending across social media.

They have been described as the “world’s happiest animal” and a photo of a Quokka snapping a selfie has proven why. These nocturnal marsupials can only be found right here and a handful of smaller islands around the coast of Western Australia.

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A post shared by Margot Robbie (@margotrobbie)

Surfing

Here you will find some of the best surfing conditions and most consistent breaks in Western Australia. Popular surf spots include:

• The Rotto Box
• Riceys Beach
• Stark Bay
• Strickland Bay
• The Basins Ledge
• The Fruit Bowl – between Catherine Bay and City of York Bay
• Chicken Reef – Salmon Bay 
• Transits – Thomson Bay

Waves off Rottnest can often be two to three feet larger than those at Perth beaches.

Strickland Bay, Salmon Bay and Stark Bay are particularly popular breaks for surfers, bodyboarders and stand-up paddle boarders. In fact, Strickland Bay has been ranked in the top 50 breaks in the world. Rottnest also has various reef breaks on both sides of the Island including Radar Reef, Cathedral Rocks and Chicken Reef.

TAKE A DAY TRIP TO the island BY FERRY

Pack your beach bag and take a ferry to Rottnest Island. With a spectacular array of marine life, keep your eyes peeled for turtles, seals, and dolphins.

SeaLink operates passenger ferry services daily services. The ferries, Quokka 1 and Quokka 2 are the newest and most environmentally friendly vessels to be servicing the Island.

SeaLink timetable

HOW TO GET THERE

Rottnest Island is 18 kilometres (11 miles) off the coast of Western Australia.

It’s a 25-minute ferry ride from Fremantle, a 45-minute ferry ride from Hillarys Boat Harbour in the northern suburbs of Perth, or a 90 minutes via ferry from Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty.

You can book your trip with Rottnest Fast Ferries, Rottnest Express or SeaLink Rottnest Island.