Tourist attractions

With 37 km of spectacular coastline, Rockingham is renowned for its safe, calm waters, pristine beaches, unique marine wildlife 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.

Our soft sandy beaches, including the unique north-facing Palm Beach, provide sheltered swimming and aquatic recreation opportunities for most of the year. The Rockingham Foreshore is the perfect place to enjoy our relaxed beach lifestyle with plenty of ocean-front dining options and picnic spots to choose from.

Renowned as a destination where the coast comes to life, visitors can dive with dolphins, snorkel with sea lions, scuba dive, snorkel, stand up paddleboard, kayak, fish, boat and more on a good old-fashioned beach holiday.

Rockingham is accessible via a short 45-minute car or train journey from Perth. Check out the Rockingham Visitor Guide for inspiration on planning a day trip or extended stay.

2025 Rockingham Visitor Guide
4.7mb

Day trip itineraries

Rediscover Rockingham's latest collaboration with So Perth connects you with some of the best things to do in Rockingham and surrounds.

From beachside golfing to indulgent wine tasting, read our latest day trip itinerary and get inspired for your next visit or outing in our City.

In addition, if aquatic adventure and enthralling wildlife experiences is more your style, check out our second action-packed itinerary, featuring a tour of our spectacular marine park.

Take the ferry out to nearby Penguin Island to explore the island's hidden wonders and spectacular snorkelling spots.

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

For those who prefer to stay on the water, the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park is great for kayaking and wildlife watching. Why not book a tour with Capricorn Seakayaking or Rivergods Kayak Adventures to learn some local knowledge along the way about our protected marine park, with our local sea lions known to pay a visit on tour.

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.

In Safety Bay, kite surfer fanatics flock to the world-class kitesurfing destination, The Pond. Its consistent winds and mirror-like flat water makes for the best conditions. If you're new to the sport, or in need of equipment, Seabreeze Kitesurf Schoolo and Soulkite Australia can assist with lessons and gear.

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 seasonal giant inflatable obstacle course offering a fun day for the whole family.

Jet ski tours and experiences are available within Cockburn Sound and the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and can be booked via Jet Ski Tours Perth.

Cape Peron provides spectacular coastal views over the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. It's a popular place for walking trails and offers some of the best snorkelling in the region, with the limestone headland dotted with reefs, caves and swim throughs in crystal clear water.

Shoalwater Islands Marine Park video

Visitors can also learn about the Aboriginal significance of the area on a cultural tour with operators In Culture Tours and Djurandi Dreaming.

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.

View the latest Diving and Snorkelling Guide for more specific details on our nine recommended dive sites:

The D9
Point Peron
The Saxon Ranger
Little Penguin Trail
The Orizaba
The Five Fathom Bank
Churchill Park Wreck Trail
First Rock
The Sisters

Diving and Snorkelling Guide (1.9 MB)

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.

Pontoons

Swimming pontoons can be found at the following locations:

Cockburn Sound

Palm Beach Foreshore (Fisher Street and the Esplanade)
Rockingham Foreshore (Railway Terrace)
Rockingham Foreshore (Flinders Lane)

Warnbro Sound

Waikiki Foreshore (Safety Bay/Malibu Road)

Pontoons are deployed in the last week of November and removed at the end of March each year.

For those ready to enjoy the inner suburbs of Baldivis and Karnup, look no further than our renowned winery, Peel Estate Wines. Enjoy a cellar door wine tasting overlooking the working winery or book a private experience in the estate's private cellar surrounded by barrels and cellared wines. Guests are also encouraged to BYO picnic to enjoy on the grounds with barbecue facilities and a small number of picnic tables available.

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

Rockingham Centre

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 and Kmart.

Syren Street is the premier alfresco dining and entertainment precinct home to a diverse collection of restaurants open until late every evening. Whether you’re after exciting international flavours, traditional beer garden fare, a steak dinner experience or just chasing some quick, cheap eats, you’ll find the culinary experience you’re searching for on Syren Street, including new additions Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co, 2 Fat Indians and Wara Sushi.

The centre also includes an eight-screen Ace Cinema Complex with Cine Gold Lounge, plus interactive virtual entertainment at iPlay. Hey Caddy is the hottest new spot for indoor mini golf in Rockingham and additionally features X-Golf, offering state-of-the-art golf simulators for a golfing experience like no other.

Other shopping centres:

Rockingham and surrounds is a paradise for avid golfers, home to three world-class courses. Leveraging
the City's natural splendour, the courses' designs mean there are sweeping views to enjoy as you make
your way around the holes.

Check out our range of courses:

Rockingham Arts Centre

This state-of-the-art community facility'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 operates 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, visit the Rockingham Arts Centre page

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 are welcome, visit the Rockingham Museum for information on opening times.

A Long Weekend in Rockingham

Rockingham is a place where adventure doesn’t need to be searched for – it’s unavoidable.

Touted as Perth's most adventurous postcode, take a read of travel guru's We Are Explorers' attempt at squeezing the best of our underrated destination into just one trip.

Read the article