Pinky Beach
Best Beach · WA
Tourism Australia's Best Beach 2026, No. 2.
With its 11,000 famously photogenic quokkas, 63 beaches and 20 bays, Rottnest Island/Wadjenup sits just 17 kilometres offshore from Perth and feels both accessible and unmistakably Australian. Set alongside one of the summer capital cities in the world, 'Rotto' - a shortening of Rottnest - has long been Perth's favourite Indian Ocean playground.
The island itself is an extraordinary place. Stretching around 11 kilometres end to end, this low calcarenite (a type of limestone) island is wrapped by some 36 kilometres of rugged, reef-strewn coastline. Most of Rottnest's beaches are the kind many people love best: small, sheltered pocket beaches with crystal-clear water, perfect for wading and swimming, and generally around 100 to 200 metres long. When the swell picks up, experienced surfers head for Strickland or Salmon Bay, the island's most reliable breaks. Pinky Beach is as appealing as its name is curious. Just a short walk from the ferry terminal and the island's only settlement at Thomson Bay, it offers a sunny north-east aspect, calm waters and shallow reefs dotted with seagrass that gently deepen for snorkelling. Behind the fenced dunes sit several upmarket accommodation options and a relaxed bar. Ideal for sunset drinks overlooking the bay. The view is especially striking when approached from the nearby Bathurst Lighthouse. Reaching Rottnest is easy. Fast ferries run from Perth City and Fremantle in around 30 minutes, while private charters and leisure yachts also depart from Fremantle's historic port. Most visitors hire a bike, pack a picnic and spend the day exploring the island's wonders at an easy pace. Once a prison for Aboriginal warriors and boys, some 3700 prisoners were separated between 1838-1931, Rottnest was declared a public reserve in 1903. Despite its popularity, the island has resisted overdevelopment. Accommodation is centred mainly along the northern shore, while much of the island remains natural. With another 62 beaches and far-flung bays to discover, cycling the island remains one of Rottnest's simplest pleasures.
⚠️ Ocean conditions can change quickly and rips can form even on calm days. Only swim at patrolled beaches, and supervise children at all times.