Dotted along an awe-inspiring coastline, the islands of Western Australia are magical to explore and deliver an abundance of one-of-a-kind adventures.
Western Australia’s island paradises are a whole new world, and each has its own unique history, ecosystems and natural attractions just waiting to be discovered.
Prepare to be blown away with once-in-a-lifetime experiences in idyllic settings: immaculate beaches fringed with coral, diverse wildlife you won’t see anywhere else on the planet, shipwrecks, secluded hideaways, stargazing, and much much more.
Here are four islands to get you dreaming about your next West Australian adventure.
Rottnest Island: Home to the quirky quokka
Just 19 kilometres off the coast of Perth, Rottnest Island is a popular daytrip for locals – and with 63 spectacular beaches and 20 breathtaking bays, it’s easy to see why folks love this little pocket of paradise.
Slow down, relax and explore at your own pace on the island’s walking and biking trails. Don’t forget to say hello to the quokka, our friendliest and most photogenic marsupial, whose smile is totally contagious. Want to learn how take the perfect shot of this island beauty? Join a tour and sharpen your camera skills with Capture the Light Photography Tours.
Head to the water to encounter coral reefs, marine life and shipwrecks. Discover more than 135 species of tropical fish and 25 species of coral on Rottnest’s snorkelling trails, including the new self-guided Little Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail. Or take advantage of local knowledge with a guided tour by Rottnest Snorkel.
Get a dose of authentic World War II history at the Oliver Hill military infrastructure. Explore underground tunnels and Bickley Battery to learn more about the important role Rottnest Island played in the war.
Rottnest Island’s idyllic setting continues to evolve. At the main ferry jetty, a new 9-metre sculpture titled Koora-Yeye-Boordawan-Kalyakoorl (Past-Present-Future-Forever) celebrates the island’s rich Aboriginal heritage, while Wadjemup Museum and Wadjemup Lighthouse have also been reinvigorated. (Wadjemup is the wonderfully evocative Nyoongar name for Rottnest Island, meaning ‘Place Across the Water Where the Spirits Are'.)
The island vibes continue at The Basin, Settlement Mall, Samphire Rottnest, The Top Bar at Thompson Bay, and Pinky Beach Club – all of which have undergone renovation too. Simple Italian dishes are crafted from glorious West Australian produce at the newest kid on the block: Isola Bar e Cibo. A hot tip: the pasta is to die for.
Quokka on Rottnest Island
Cars are not allowed on Rottnest, which gives it a blissful serenity and a slow-and-steady island pace. Cycling is the best way to get around, or there’s a hop-on/hop-off bus service, which stops at some of the island’s most secluded beaches and surf breaks. You could also hail the Quokka Hopper, which operates daily between 11am and 9.30pm, and offers on-demand private transfers to restaurants, accommodation and other facilities in the main settlements.
How to get there: Get to Rottnest Island from Perth and Fremantle via ferry or boat, or air taxi.
Abrolhos Islands: A wild, unspoilt gem
An incredibly biodiverse wildlife hotspot, the Abrolhos Islands are, quite simply, captivating. They’re wild, they’re remote, they’re utterly spectacular – and they’re a special destination for adventure-seekers and nature-lovers alike.
The pristine islands are best known for three things: water activities, wildlife and the Batavia shipwreck.
Cruise, fish, dive and snorkel the turquoise waters around the islands, keeping an eye out for all manner of seabirds (the area is an important breeding ground), sea lions, sharks, dolphins and whales. On land, spot the unique Tammar wallaby, a super-cute marsupial that’s not much bigger than the quokka.
In fact, you’ll probably see more wildlife than humans. Eco-friendly operator Abrolhos Adventures limits tours to just 100 people per day, and emphasises respect for the natural environment. The company offers a range of ways to explore and enjoy the islands, including ferry tours, fishing charters, whale-watching expeditions, crayfish-pot pulls, and private cruises and events.
Abrolhos Islands
Many sailors have braved the treacherous atolls of the Abrolhos, but not all have succeeded – the islands are dotted with shipwrecks, with the most famous being the ill-fated Batavia, which sank in 1629. Explore the centuries-old Dutch wreck on a dive.
Some fast facts: officially known as the Houtman Abrolhos, the Abrolhos are a national park of 122 islands, running north to south along 100 kilometres of the Indian Ocean. They lie 60 kilometres off the coast of Geraldton, which is the main jumping-off point for island adventurers, and are clustered into three main groups: the Wallabi Group, Easter Group and Pelsaert Group.
How to get there: Access the Abrolhos Islands from Geraldton via ferry, boat, or plane or hop on a tour from Kalbarri with Kalbarri Scenic Flights.
Dirk Hartog Island: An eco-friendly escape
An environmentally friendly adventure on a sublimely beautiful island far from the crowds? If that ticks your holiday-travel boxes, Dirk Hartog Island in World Heritage listed Shark Bay will delight. Take the time to experience the gentle aquamarine waters and secluded surrounds at your own pace.
It was here in 1616 that the first recorded landing by Europeans on Australian soil occurred. And thanks to the ‘Return to 1616’ project, the island’s flora and fauna is on its way to looking just as it did when Captain Dirk Hartog traipsed along the soft white sands, more than four centuries ago.
Spot dugongs, humpback whales and manta rays in the surrounding waters, which are a must-visit for snorkellers, divers and eco-warriors. Discover blushing-pink lakes, tranquil rock pools and erupting blowholes, and watch turtles hatching on the beach; in fact, the island is home to the largest loggerhead turtle rookery in Western Australia.
These days, the secluded island is making its mark as a premium ecotourism destination. Relax and recharge at Eco Lodge, or camp under a gem-filled night sky at Homestead Bay – there are also nine other national park camp sites dotted around the island. Island Life Adventures offers day trips from Denham, as well as marine safaris and guided four-wheel-drive tours around the island.
How to get there: Located nine hours’ drive or a two-hour flight from Perth, Dirk Hartog Island is accessible by barge, charter boat or by air.
Dirk Hartog Island
Mackerel Islands: A pristine paradise
Just off the Pilbara’s spectacular billion-year-old coastline, a marine wonderland awaits intrepid travellers. Prepare to be enchanted by the Mackerel Islands, a pristine off-the-beaten-track paradise that’s synonymous with wildlife, adventure, stargazing and rejuvenating isolation.
Witness dolphins and whales frolicking in turquoise waters, watch sea turtles making their way up the beach to lay their eggs, and snorkel in coral reefs among a kaleidoscope of colourful fish, crabs and stingrays.
Cast a line for snapper, trout, trevally and, of course, mackerel at this premier fishing spot. Explore the idyllic surrounds on a boat or kayak, or take in a glorious red-gold sunrise or sunset on a four-wheel-drive tour.
As night falls and the sky turns inky black, get galaxy-gazing. The islands offer extraordinary stargazing opportunities and offers a chance to see the stunning Staircase to the Moon.
Ready for some relaxation and refreshments? You’ll find accommodation on two of the 10 islands – Thevenard Island and Direction Island. Back on the mainland, the Onslow Beach Resort boasts enviable ocean views and a laidback vibe, and is also home to The Beach Club, which does delicious seafood and pizzas.
How to get there: Get to the Mackerel Islands in 45 minutes by ferry, departing from Onslow to Thevenard Island.
Whether you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track escape or up-close-and-personal wildlife encounter, Western Australia’s islands offer an extraordinary range of adventures. But there is so much more to see and do than we could possibly fit into one article. Why not come and see for yourself – and make some truly lasting memories?
Published July 2022.