Tourist attractions

Where the coast comes to life

Explore Rockingham

Just a short drive from Perth, Rockingham offers breathtaking coastal scenery, marine animal encounters and adventure experiences.

Cover of the Rockingham Visitor Guide featuring seal underwaterThings to see and do

With 37km of spectacular coastline, Rockingham is renowned for its safe, calm waters, pristine beaches, marine animals and abundance of aquatic activities available in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Here you'll find Penguin Island and the breathtaking scenery of Cape Peron.

Rockingham is accessible by a short 40-minute car or train tip from Perth. Our unique northern-facing Palm Beach and Rockingham beaches provide sheltered swimming and aquatic recreation places most of the year. Likewise, the southern-facing Safety Bay area offers some of the best sailing and windsurfing opportunities in the state.

Our revitalised Rockingham Foreshore is the perfect place to enjoy our relaxed, coastal vibe with plenty of ocean-front dining and parks and playgrounds to choose from.

Contact the Penguin Island Visitor Centre Rockingham on 08 9592 6100 or email bookings@penguinislandvisitorcentre.com.au, or the Rockingham Visitor Centre on 08 9592 3464 or email info@visitrockingham.com.au.

Nature

Fairy penguinsTake the ferry out to nearby Penguin Island to explore the islands hidden wonders and spectacular snorkelling spots. If you'd like to learn more about the island, why not add on the optional walking tour of the island to learn more about the local wildlife and history.

Visit Perth Wildlife Encounters for ferry times and other cruise options, including swimming with wild dolphins and snorkelling with sealions.

For those that prefer to stay on the water, the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park is great for kayaking and our local sea lions have been known to pay a visit. Why not book a tour with Capricorn Seakayaking to learn some local knowledge along the way about our protected Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.

Rockingham is also home to some of the oldest living life forms on earth known as the thrombolites. Located in Lake Richmond with a walking trail that loops around the lake. Just across the road is the Naragebup Rockingham Regional Environmental Centre, a great place to learn more about the local wildlife and ecosystems.

Action and Adventure

Two people tandem skydiving over Rockingham coastIf thrill seeking is your way to experience, look no further than skydiving over the Rockingham coast with Skydive Rockingham, one of the few places in WA where you can get a bird's eye view of the coast.

Rockingham is also proud to be home to WA's only cable ski park Perth Wake Park. Also located here is Perth Aqua Park, a giant inflatable obstacle course offering a fun day for the whole family!

Cape Peron and Shoalwater Islands Marine Park

Shoalwater Islands Marine Park

Cape Peron provides spectacular coastal views over the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. It is a popular place for walking trails and snorkelling. 

The protected Shoalwater Islands Marine Park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including dolphins, seals, penguins and pelicans. It is a popular destination for diving and water sports.

Beaches

Rockingham BeachThe City of Rockingham contains some of the finest coastline and parks in Perth’s metropolitan area. This was confirmed when Rockingham Beach won the 2010 WA Clean Beaches Award which is judged on the level of beach and foreshore maintenance and cleanliness, the quality and accessibility of beachside amenities and adaptability to growing environmental changes.

Rockingham Beach also won the Water Conservation and the Heritage and Culture category awards at the 2010/2011 National Clean Beaches Awards, and was runner up in the Energy Innovation and the Environmental Innovation and Protection categories.

You will find the following major beaches along our 37 kilometres of coastline:

  • Rockingham Beach – safe, calm, north-facing beach ideal for families.
  • Palm Beach – safe, calm, north-facing beach ideal for families.
  • Mangles Bay/Point Peron – ideal for swimming, kayaking/stand up paddle boarding and snorkelling.
  • Safety Bay/Shoalwater – popular for fishing, swimming, kayaking/stand up paddle boarding and windsports. “The Pond” is a world-renowned location for windsports.
  • Waikiki/Warnbro Beach – popular for fishing and swimming. Ideal for families.
  • Port Kennedy Beach – popular for swimming and fishing
  • Secret Harbour Beach – popular for fishing and surfing. Patrolled in summer, ideal for families.
  • Golden Bay Beach – popular fishing beach.
  • Singleton Beach – popular surfing and fishing beach.
Wineries and breweries

Family walking through Karnup vineyardsHome to three breweries and a winery, Rockingham offers plenty of opportunities to Rediscover Taste. Sample the funky eats and local brew at Azacca Kitchen in Shoalwater, or work your way through the 24 beer taps at Sound Brewing Co. on Syren Street.

For those ready to enjoy the inner suburbs of Baldivis and Karnup, look no further than Whitelakes Brewing or renowned winery Peel Estate Wines.

Contact the Penguin Island Visitor Centre Rockingham on 08 9592 6100 or email bookings@penguinislandvisitorcentre.com.au for more information.

Shopping

Women shopping at Rockingham CentreRockingham Centre

Rockingham has a range of shopping centres spread throughout the region that are easy to find and located on major roads.

Rockingham Centre is on the corner of Council Ave and Read St and is the largest shopping complex in the region with over 200 specialty stores and fours major retail outlets including Target, Woolworths, Coles and Kmart.

The centre also includes an eight-screen Ace Cinema Complex with Cine Gold Lounge plus a range of restaurants that are open seven days a week until late.

For more information visit the Rockingham Centre website

Other shopping centres

Entertainment

Dining out along the foreshoreRockingham has loads of activities to suit the whole family. Whether it be watching one of the latest releases at Ace Cinemas or United Cinemas in Rockingham, or enjoying some more interactive virtual entertainment at iPlay

For those wanting to get a little more competetive, Zone Bowling is located near the Rockingham foreshore, or enjoy the simple pleasures by bouncing around at Rebound in Port Kennedy.

Contact the Penguin Island Visitor Centre Rockingham on 08 9592 6100 or email bookings@penguinislandvisitorcentre.com.au for more information

Galleries and museums

Rockingham Arts Centre

Rockingham Arts CentreThis state-of-the-art community facility has recently been upgraded. The centre's primary aim is to facilitate Rockingham's art groups. Hireable spaces include a multi-purpose room, gallery, and studio. Community group Friends of the Rockingham Arts Centre operate a ceramic studio out of the facility and the Rockingham Writers Centre meets here. You can also embark on a public art walking trail around Rockingham. For more information on exhibitions, events and hiring spaces within this facility, contact the Arts Centre.

Rockingham Historical Society and Museum

The museum has an interesting collection of memorabilia from our early days, plus costume displays. The displays cover many aspects of our local history, and are changed periodically.

Researchers, students and general public welcome, visit the Rockingham Museum for information on opening times

  • Rockingham Historical Society and Museum
    • Cnr Kent Street and Flinders Lane, Rockingham
    • Phone: 0451 851 413
    • Entry: Adults: $2.50, 50 cents for children under 16
Events

Fireworks on the beachWe host a wide range of events for all ages throughout the year. Check out our What's On Calendar to find out what's coming up.

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