There is a moment that every Western Australian knows. You step off the ferry at Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), hire a bike, pedal ten minutes north, and suddenly you are standing at the edge of one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country. The water is impossibly turquoise. The sand is white and wide. The lighthouse anchors the eastern end of the bay like it was placed there specifically for the photograph.
That place is Pinky Beach, and in 2026 it has been officially ranked the second best beach in Australia.
Veteran beach expert and Tourism Australia Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer AM awarded Pinky Beach its national ranking as part of the annual Best Australian Beaches study, which evaluates beaches across the country’s mainland and surrounding islands against a 130-point criteria. For Western Australians, the result provokes a satisfying nod rather than surprise. We already knew.
See where Pinky Beach sits in the full WA national rankings results at Road Trip Reviews.
What Makes Pinky Beach So Special
Pinky Beach sits on the northern side of Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), sheltered from the prevailing south and west winds that can make other parts of the island less hospitable on certain days. This natural protection means it is one of the most reliably calm and comfortable beaches on the island regardless of the season, which goes a long way to explaining why it consistently draws the biggest crowds.
The bay is boat-free and gently shelving, making it safe and accessible for families, children, and casual swimmers. An undulating coral reef close to shore provides excellent beginner snorkelling, with coral formations hosting large schools of fish, Western Buffalo Bream, wrasse, octopus, stingrays, and occasional sea turtles. Rottnest’s waters support more than 400 fish species, kept unusually warm by the Leeuwin Current which pushes water temperatures roughly 4°C higher than you would expect at this latitude.
The sand appears white in most conditions, though at sunset it takes on genuine pink and warm gold tones, particularly in autumn and spring. The 1900-built Bathurst Lighthouse frames the eastern end of the bay, and on clear days the Perth skyline is visible across the water — a reminder that one of Australia’s best beaches is sitting less than an hour from the CBD.
Pinky Beach is consistently rated as the island’s best sunset viewing spot. That reputation is earned.
Getting to Rottnest Island
Three ferry operators run regular services to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) year-round.
Rottnest Express departs from Fremantle’s B-Shed terminal (25–30 minutes crossing) and from Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty (approximately 90 minutes via the Swan River). SeaLink Rottnest Island mirrors both departure points with similar journey times. Rottnest Fast Ferries operates from Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth’s northern suburbs (45 minutes), with the considerable advantage of free parking.
Adult return fares vary with season and demand. As a guide, Fremantle departures run approximately $65–$100 return, Perth city departures $90–$130, and Hillarys around $68–$100. Children aged 4–12 receive significant discounts. All fares include the mandatory Rottnest Island Admission Fee.
Booking well ahead is essential during summer, school holidays, and long weekends. The island’s popularity means peak-season ferries sell out well in advance, particularly on weekends.
Once you arrive, Pinky Beach is a ten-minute walk or a few minutes by bike from the main settlement and ferry jetty.
When to Visit
Summer (December–February) delivers the warmest water at around 23°C and the longest days, but also the largest crowds and peak pricing across ferries and accommodation. The island sits a few degrees cooler than Perth on hot days, though heatwaves can still push temperatures above 35°C.
Autumn (March–May) is widely regarded as the sweet spot. Water remains warm enough for comfortable swimming without a wetsuit, crowds thin noticeably after the January peak, and the island takes on a more relaxed character. Days average 21–26°C.
Spring (September–November) brings humpback whale sightings offshore, quokka joeys emerging from pouches in September, and the Wadjemup Daisy flowering in October and November. Water temperatures are cooler at around 19–20°C but snorkelling visibility is often outstanding.
Winter (June–August) is quieter and more affordable, but water drops to 18–19°C and a wetsuit becomes advisable for extended swimming.
What to Do Beyond the Beach
Pinky Beach connects naturally to a full day of activity on the island, all accessible by bike from the main settlement.
The Basin is a short walk from Pinky Beach, a natural rock-pool bay with crystal-clear water, excellent snorkelling, and BBQ facilities. It is a strong contender for the island’s most photogenic spot on a calm day.
The Bathurst Lighthouse overlooks the beach directly and makes for striking photographs, particularly in the late afternoon light.
Vlamingh Lookout offers panoramic views over the island’s famous salt lakes and is a ten-minute ride from the settlement. Mushroom Rock Lookout extends across the ocean with mainland views on clear days.
For serious snorkellers, the Salmon Bay Snorkel Trail about 5 kilometres from the settlement offers a 700-metre underwater loop with information plaques. Little Parakeet Bay on the north coast is ideal for spotting basking stingrays, while Little Armstrong Bay is a Marine Sanctuary Zone where the fishing ban means an exceptional density of marine life.
The island’s 10,000-plus quokkas are visible year-round, particularly around shaded spots near the settlement. Remember that touching or feeding them is illegal and can result in significant fines.
The Wadjemup Bidi trail network covers 45 kilometres of walking paths if you want to explore on foot. The full island loop by bike covers 22 kilometres of mostly flat sealed roads and takes 3–5 hours depending on stops.
Where to Stay
Discovery Resorts sits a four-minute walk from the beach, with eco-tents offering ensuite bathrooms and pillow-topped beds alongside the popular Pinky’s Beach Club restaurant and bar. Rates start from around $277 per night, rising significantly in peak season.
Samphire Rottnest is the island’s boutique hotel option with air-conditioned rooms, a heated pool, and the Lontara restaurant. Rates range from approximately $170 to $715 per night.
Stay Rottnest, managed by the Rottnest Island Authority, offers self-contained heritage cottages, beachfront units, bungalows, and cabins at various price points, with off-peak rates from around $96 per night. These are enormously popular and bookings open nine months in advance through a virtual queuing system. The adjacent campground offers the most budget-friendly option on the island.
No pets are permitted anywhere on Rottnest Island.
The Cultural Significance of Rottnest Island (Wadjemup)
Any visit to Wadjemup is enriched by understanding the island’s deep and layered significance to the Whadjuk Noongar people. The name Wadjemup translates as “the place across the water where the spirits are.” In Noongar belief, the island was a transitional point between the physical and spiritual worlds, and it held ceremonial and cultural importance for thousands of years before the land bridge to the mainland was submerged by rising sea levels over 6,500 years ago.
The island’s colonial history is confronting. Between 1838 and 1931, nearly 4,000 Aboriginal men and boys from language groups across Western Australia were imprisoned and forced to labour on the island. More than 370 died here and are buried at the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground, the largest known deaths-in-custody site in Australia. This history is actively acknowledged through the ongoing Wadjemup Project, an Aboriginal-led reconciliation initiative centred on truth-telling, healing, and memorialisation.
Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours offers guided walks covering this history alongside Dreamtime stories, Noongar language, and cultural ceremony. It is one of the most meaningful things you can do on the island.
Check out what they offer here.
Practical Tips for Pinky Beach
There are no toilets or shade structures directly on the sand at Pinky Beach. Use the facilities at nearby Discovery Resorts or the main settlement. Pinky’s Beach Club serves food and drinks from 11am daily.
Bike hire from Pedal & Flipper costs $33 per day for adults, with e-bikes available at $80 per day. Helmets are included and legally required in WA. Snorkel sets hire for $22 per day. Bring your own water bottle and fill up in the settlement.
The beach is not patrolled by lifeguards. Conditions are among the safest on the island but always swim within your ability and supervise children carefully.
For the best experience, arrive in the morning before the day-tripping crowds build. The beach takes on an extraordinary quality in early light, and snorkelling visibility is often at its clearest before midday.