Rottnest Island Road Biking

6 h to 11 h
2 h to 5 h
2 h to 5 h
3 h to 5 h 30 min

27.6 km
circuit

↑ 222 m
↓ -222 m

Easy track
Starting from Pedal & Flipper on Bedford Avenue, Thomson Bay Settlement, this road biking circuit takes you around Rottnest Island via Parker Point Road, Bovell Highway and Digby Drive. Just thirty minutes west by express ferry from Fremantle lies the beautiful island of Rottnest. With pristine white-sand beaches, tranquil swimming bays and vibrant reefs, Rottnest Island is one of Western Australia's most popular travel destinations. The island is home to colonies of Australian sea lions and southern fur seals and is also well known for its population of quokkas, a small native marsupial found in very few other locations. Many of the island's buildings date from the colonial period, often made from locally quarried limestone, and are now used as accommodation for holidays. The main settlement at Thomson Bay has the best food and drink options with the famous Rottnest Bakery, Rottnest Hotel and a raft of food options in the main mall. Outside of the main settlement, the only places that sell food and drinks are Geordies Cafe at Geordie Bay and Pinky's Beach Club near Bathurst Lighthouse. Rottnest has a loop road linking up the main parts of the island, with a bus running frequently during the day and bus stops at regular intervals. Cars are not allowed on the island, and most visitors either walk or ride bicycles. Cycling is a scenic way to see the island, and you can hire a bike there or bring your own. From Thomson Bay, the cycling path passes Kingstown, then cruises along the southern end of the island, passing Porpoise Bay and Salmon Bay. There are optional detours to Wadjemup Lighthouse and Mary Cove on the way to Cape Vlamingh, the southwestern tip of the island. Pedalling on from Cape Vlamingh, the cycling path heads along the northern end of the island, passing Stark Bay, Catherine Bay, Parakeet Bay, and Geordie Bay. The path continues past the Rottnest Island Golf Course, leading back to Thomson Bay to complete the loop. The island is well signposted, maps are readily available and the roads are relatively flat, with some short hills. Rottnest Island is only 11km long, suitable for cyclists of any level to explore at least a good portion of the island within a single day. With plenty of options to explore and breathtaking ocean views along the way, cycling around Rottnest Island is an excellent adventure. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start At the intersection of Bedford Avenue & Welch Road (-31.9986856,115.5417364)
Mode Ferry
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the front door of Pedal & Flipper, get on the street and turn right to head along Bedford Avenue. Pass by Hotel Rottnest to your left and turn left at the 4-way intersection to head along Parker Point Road. Follow the said road as you head towards Kingstown to continue along Rottnest Island Road Biking(clockwise).....
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Bedford Avenue & Welch Road Start heading along Bedford Avenue (a residential road).
After another 105 m (at the intersection of Bedford Avenue & Parker Point Road) veer left, to head along Parker Point Road (a vehicle track).
After another 65 m (at the intersection of Parker Point Road & McCallum Avenue) continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 30 m pass the playground (15 m on your left).
After another 210 m (at the intersection of Parker Point Road & Allen Street) continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 325 m (at the intersection of Parker Point Road & Army Jetty Road) continue straight, to head along Army Jetty Road (a residential road).
Keep left.
After another 115 m turn right.
After another 30 m turn left, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 90 m pass the sign (10 m on your right).
After another 60 m (at the intersection of Parker Point Road & Kingstown Road) veer left, to head along Kingstown Road (a residential road).
After another 325 m (at the intersection of Battery Road & Kingstown Road) continue straight, to head along Kingstown Road.
After another 40 m continue straight, to head along Kingstown Road.
After another 55 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right).
This toilet is wheelchair accessible.
After another 7 m pass the "Rottnest Island Youth Hostel" (35 m on your right).
After another 15 m (at the intersection of Kingstown Road & Hospital Lane) continue straight, to head along Kingstown Road.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Kingstown Road & Governor's Circuit) continue straight, to head along Kingstown Road.
After another 140 m veer right, to head along Kingstown Road.
Head back along the same road..
After another 165 m (at the intersection of Kingstown Road & Hospital Lane) continue straight, to head along Kingstown Road.
After another 115 m (at the intersection of Kingstown Road & Battery Road) continue straight, to head along Kingstown Road.
After another 70 m continue straight, to head along Kingstown Road.
After another 255 m (at the intersection of Parker Point Road & Kingstown Road) turn sharp left, to head along Parker Point Road (a vehicle track).
After another 185 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 100 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 255 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 75 m (at the intersection of Parker Point Road & Bickley Bay Walk Trail) continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 420 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 45 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 390 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 55 m come to the viewpoint (10 m on your right).
After another 1.2 km (at the intersection of Bickley Bay walk trail & Parker Point Road) continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 20 m pass a seat (10 m on your right)., has no backrest.
After another 345 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
Keep right.
After another 350 m (at the intersection of Parker Point Road & Parker Point Loop) turn left, to head along Parker Point Loop.
After another 140 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Loop.
After another 255 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Loop.
There is a toilet (about 9 m back from the start).
After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Loop.
After another 20 m pass a seat (15 m on your left)., has no backrest.
After another 8 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your left).
After another 350 m come to the "Jeannies Lookout" (25 m on your left).
After another 105 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Loop.
After another 165 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Loop.
After another 220 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Loop.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Loop.
After another 640 m (at the intersection of Parker Point Road & Parker Point Loop) turn left, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 690 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 540 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 8 m come to the viewpoint (25 m on your left).
After another 230 m continue straight, to head along Parker Point Road.
After another 590 m (at the intersection of Digby Drive & Parker Point Road) turn left, to head along Digby Drive.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you up to the summit of Wadjemup Hill where there is a picturesque lighthouse. There are tours that inform you about the interesting history of the area if you're interested. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 350 m (at the intersection of Wadjemup Road & Digby Drive) continue straight, to head along Digby Drive.
After another 305 m continue straight, to head along Digby Drive.
After another 200 m continue straight, to head along Digby Drive.
After another 295 m continue straight, to head along Digby Drive.
After another 20 m pass the "Nancy Cove" (35 m on your left).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you the Mary Cove, a gorgeous sandy beach that has great southerly views. You'll probably need to get off your bike for this one. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Digby Drive & Karlak Boodjar Road) continue straight, to head along Digby Drive.
After another 360 m continue straight, to head along Digby Drive.
After another 300 m continue straight, to head along Digby Drive.
After another 610 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Digby Drive) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 740 m continue straight.
Keep right.
After another 35 m head through/around the gate.
After another 420 m head through/around the gate.
After another 160 m come to the viewpoint (35 m on your right).
At the intersection of Bovell Highway & Strickland Bay Road continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 160 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 125 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 215 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 890 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 90 m (at the intersection of Eagle Bay Mary Cove & Bovell Highway) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 180 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Aitken Way) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 460 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Aitken Way) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 95 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 155 m pass the toilet (65 m on your left).
After another 80 m pass the shelter (20 m on your left).
Turn around and head back along the same road.
Then come to the viewpoint (60 m on your right).
This viewpoint is wheelchair accessible.
After another 160 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Aitken Way) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 500 m (at the intersection of Aitken Way & Bovell Highway) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 440 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 730 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 215 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 285 m (at the intersection of Strickland Bay Road & Bovell Highway) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 155 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
Keep right.
After another 245 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left).
After another 520 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 400 m (at the intersection of Digby Drive & Bovell Highway) turn left, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 260 m pass the "White Hill" (100 m on your right).
After another 680 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 1.1 km continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 260 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Bore Fields North Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 480 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 130 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & City of York Bay Road) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 75 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 50 m pass the "Bare Hill" (95 m on your right).
After another 250 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 590 m pass the "Armstrong Hill" (90 m on your left).
After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 195 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Brand Way) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 215 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Parakeet Bay Road) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 510 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Little Parakeet Bay Road) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 205 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 75 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 175 m come to the viewpoint (50 m on your left).
After another 105 m pass the water tap (7 m on your right).
After another 45 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Temeraire Road) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 20 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Katemeraire Road) continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 450 m (at the intersection of Bovell Highway & Geordie Bay Road) turn right, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 175 m continue straight, to head along Bovell Highway.
After another 900 m pass the water tap (20 m on your right).
At the intersection of Digby Drive & Bovell Highway turn left, to head along Digby Drive.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Digby Drive & Vlamingh Memorial Heritage Trail) continue straight, to head along Digby Drive.
After another 380 m come to the "Vlamingh Lookout" (95 m on your right).
Then pass the "European Cemetery" (5 m on your right).
After another 70 m (at the intersection of Digby Drive & Boreham Street) continue straight, to head along Digby Drive.
After another 180 m pass the "The Lane" (135 m on your left).
At the intersection of Bedford Avenue & Brand Way turn right, to head along Bedford Avenue (a residential road).
After another 115 m pass the "Rottnest Island Basin" (30 m on your right).
At the intersection of Henderson Avenue & Bedford Avenue continue straight, to head along Bedford Avenue.
After another 45 m pass the "Changing Places" (7 m on your left).
This toilet is wheelchair accessible.
After another 100 m pass the "Dôme" (20 m on your left).
W:www.domecoffees.com T:+61 8 9292 5286
Mo-Su 07:30-16:00
After another 25 m pass the "Thomsons" (35 m on your left).

Mo-Su 08:00-20:30
At the intersection of Bedford Avenue & Colebatch Avenue continue straight, to head along Bedford Avenue.
After another 30 m (at the intersection of Bedford Avenue & Colebatch Avenue) continue straight, to head along Bedford Avenue.
Keep right.
After another 105 m come to "Hotel Rottnest".
The end.

This optional side trip takes you the Mary Cove, a gorgeous sandy beach that has great southerly views. You'll probably need to get off your bike for this one.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Karlak Boodjar Road & Digby Drive Start heading along Karlak Boodjar Road (a vehicle track).
After another 550 m turn right.
After another 215 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 760 m to the main route.

This optional side trip takes you up to the summit of Wadjemup Hill where there is a picturesque lighthouse. There are tours that inform you about the interesting history of the area if you're interested.
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Wadjemup Road & Digby Drive Start heading along Wadjemup Road (a vehicle track).
After another 230 m continue straight, to head along Wadjemup Road.
After another 195 m continue straight, to head along Wadjemup Road.
After another 25 m veer right, to head along Wadjemup Road.
After another 55 m pass the toilet (20 m on your left).
After another 30 m turn right, to head along Wadjemup Road.
After another 50 m come to "Wadjemup Hill".
About 15 m past the end is "Wadjemup Lighthouse".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 590 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Rottnest Island Road Biking


Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length 27.6 km
Time 6 h to 11 h
Quality of track Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required No experience required (2/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route
Hostel: There is one 1.4 km from the start.

Shelter: There is one 16 km from the start.

Toilet: There are 7 on route, on average they are 3.6 km apart with the largest gap of 8.6 km.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 9.2 km apart with the largest gap of 21.4 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
1.4 km[toilet]
Hostel
1.4 kmRottnest Island Youth Hostel
Seat
5 km[seat]
Toilet
6.1 km[toilet]
Seat
6.2 km[seat]
Toilet
10.1 km + 500 m[toilet]
Toilet
10.9 kmNancy Cove
Toilet
16 km[toilet]
Shelter
16 km[shelter]
Toilet
18.8 km[toilet]
Toilet
27.3 kmChanging Places
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