This family-oriented stay integrates with Rottnest Island’s landscape and heritage, offering a laidback vibe with year-round appeal.
As the ferry speeds toward Rottnest Island, a pang of nostalgia hits me. I haven’t been here since I was a child, when my family spent sun-soaked days splashing in the crystal-clear waters, licking ice creams, and eagerly spotting quokkas. This time, I’m here for a different reason: to stay at the much-talked-about The Lodge Wadjemup. And I couldn’t have been more excited.
Now that the entire resort is officially open, after a phased rollout, here’s what you can expect.
Where is The Lodge Wadjemup?
The resort sits next to one of the island’s lakes.
The Lodge Wadjemup sits beautifully on the western end of Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), the traditional land of the Whadjuk Noongar people. The island is one of Australia’s most striking destinations, with impossibly clear waters and white sand beaches – I’d argue they are some of the best in the world. The main ferry terminal is just a few minutes’ walk away, along with the island’s restaurants, cafes and beaches. There are no beach views from the resort, but there are lovely lake views.
The best way to explore Rottnest Island is by bike, and Rottnest Island Pedal & Flipper Hire – just a couple of minutes’ walk away – is the go-to place to pick up your wheels, whether you prefer electric or traditional bikes (make sure to get a basket attachment to carry your belongings). Some of my favourite beaches and bays I cycled to were Salmon Bay, Shark Bay Beach and Lovers Cove. It’s also worth going the extra mile to Cathedral Rocks where you can view the resident long-nosed fur seal colony from the viewing platform.
The island is filled with thousands of resident quokkas, and visitors will be pleased to find there are plenty of them hopping around the resort who will happily let you take a selfie if you are gentle and respectful of their space.
What is the style and character of The Lodge Wadjemup?
The building's exterior is light and bright.
The design blends old and new. (Image: Shot by Thom)
On an island with as much significance as Rottnest, design decisions shouldn’t be made lightly, so it’s pleasing to see the resort respects the island’s history and rugged coastline. The development was guided by Cultural Heritage consultant David Collard (Wardong) and Nyungar elders, who helped establish a cultural heritage framework.
Comprised of multiple buildings, including a 143-year-old heritage structure and a sleek, contemporary structure, The Lodge Wadjemup seamlessly blends old and new and is considered a low-impact development.
Designer Anna Fogarty and interior designer Lauren Tarrant of Laurent Tarrant Design sensitively took cues from the island to inform the resort’s interior design, styling and branding. The overarching aesthetic is breezy, coastal chic with Wadjemup’s native flora, limestone cliffs and salt lakes reflected in the colours, materials and finishes.
The contemporary wing of the hotel features a sleeker design.
Cork, light timber joinery and natural stone are complemented by soft greens, coral pinks, sand and bleached blues, creating a calm, beach‑inspired atmosphere that welcomes sandy feet. Furniture from high-end brands such as MCM House and tiling and stone from Surface Gallery bring an elevated feel, while artworks by First Nations artists add depth and cultural meaning.
Climate-responsive architecture was at the forefront, executed through large bi-fold doors and open layouts that maximise natural ventilation, and a two-level building height maximum to preserve the island’s sightlines.
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AI Prompt
What are the rooms like at The Lodge Wadjemup?
A Poolhouse Room with lake views. (Image: Shot by Thom)
Some of the Poolhouse Rooms feature freestanding baths. (Image: Shot by Thom)
Poolside rooms offer direct access. (Image: Shot by Thom)
Neutral tones prevail, creating a calm atmosphere.
Lake Rooms afford peaceful views.
Courtyard Rooms feature stylish bathroom.
The Lodge Wadjemup offers a variety of room styles to suit all types of guests, whether you’re a young family needing extra room or a couple looking for peace and quiet. There are three distinct sections to the property’s accommodation offerings: Courtyard, Lakeside and Poolside. The 31 Courtyard rooms are fully equipped and situated within a refurbished 143-year-old heritage building. The 32 Lakeside rooms are contemporary and offer stunning lakeside views, while the 46 Poolside rooms are part of a brand-new build.
My room is located in the new Poolside wing and boasts a lovely view of the pool. The light-filled space is relaxed and neutral-toned, fitted with a minibar (Nespresso machine included) and a balcony with seating – I spent a significant amount of time here wrapped in the room’s blue linen dressing gown. Many of the poolside rooms come with baths and can be interconnected, making them perfect for families or groups.
What facilities does The Lodge Wadjemup have?
Indulge in poolside snacks from the onsite restaurant. (Image: Shot by Thom)
Spend your days relaxing poolside. (Image: Shot by Thom)
Enjoy refreshing dips. (Image: Shot by Thom)
While it’s tempting to spend every moment on Rottnest’s white-sand beaches and in its turquoise waters, The Lodge Wadjemup is equally well equipped for guests who choose to stay put, and I enjoyed just relaxing at the resort. The heated swimming pool exudes beach club vibes with orange and cream striped sun loungers and parasols.
Chef Mat Powell (Il Lido Cottesloe, George Calombaris Group Melbourne) oversees the onsite dining, including the relaxed Pelican Deli – part coffee spot, part soft serve kiosk – and Sunsets Bar & Restaurant. The latter serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with the late afternoon and early evening offering sparkling views as the sun sets over the island.
I recommend grabbing a few spritzes and relaxing in the large outdoor area before heading inside to enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired feast – Albany rock oysters, burrata with peach and basil, linguine with Shark Bay crab, and, of course, a decadent banana split with soft serve, cherries, candied nuts, and caramel. The menu caters for fussy little ones, and there’s live music every Saturday and Sunday from midday to 6pm.
Enjoy relaxed bites in the Sunsets courtyard.
Sunsets Bar & Restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired fare. (Image: Shot by Thom)
A central courtyard with relaxed seating acts as a communal outdoor space for guests staying in the Courtyard Room wing.
A special area of The Lodge Wadjemup is the Gathering Ground, a dedicated space for events and ceremonies that acknowledges the significant cultural history of Rottnest. Here, you will find artworks created by Aboriginal artists Kaedisha Westberg, Tjyllyungoo, Lance Chadd, Nigel Chadd and Trish Robinson, evocative of the island’s natural beauty, wildlife and Nyungar stories.
Reception is stocked with items travellers may have left at home, such as sunscreen, towels, USB cords, international adaptors and natural deodorant, as well as cute souvenirs to take home.
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Does The Lodge Wadjemup have access for guests with disabilities?
The aptly named Sunsets Bar & Restaurant offers breathtaking views of the sunset.
Rottnest Island is considered an accessibility-friendly island, and The Lodge Wadjemup has accessible poolside rooms available. Note that ferries from Perth CBD are not accessibility friendly, but certain voyages from the terminal at North Fremantle are (approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Perth Airport).
Is The Lodge Wadjemup family-friendly?
The Lodge Wadjemup is, at its core, designed for families, and during my stay, I can’t help but reflect on how ideal it would have been for my own family if it had been open during our visits.
Details
Best for: Families
Address: Boreham Wy, Rottnest Island WA 6161
Price per night: From $359
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
With unhurried mornings, long, sun-filled afternoons, evenings shaped around sunset, this iconic beach offers an all-day experience (and it’s about to get even better).
As the sun slowly rises over the languid waves and fine sand of Broome’s Cable Beach, the morning colours shift from rich apricot to pale gold and frosty pearl. Remnants of life reveal themselves in the subtle shadows – crab claw marks, towel impressions, footprints. Life here is unhurried, but don’t be fooled. This town is continually shifting like the desert dunes that surround it.
And with a $75 million upgrade – offering easier and more inclusive access for people of all abilities – it’s getting even better.
Discover the Cable Beach redevelopment.
The addition of comfortable and welcoming spaces has begun (and will continue). This means visitors will be able to spend longer enjoying this beautiful environment, while knowing that the upgrade will create a more environmentally protected setting that preserves the natural character visitors come for. Come sunset, soak it in all the better thanks to the already improved foreshore areas, made for lingering while the light changes. And for the kids, a new splash park and accessible dry playground will make it easy to while away the hours.
Think you know what a day at this beach is like? Think again.
Morning colours
Cable Beach comes alive after sunrise. (Credit: Tourism WA)
As the sun colours the sky, Cable Beach shows signs of life (and not just the aquatic kind). Locals and visitors alike float in the cool water as it laps the shore, landlubbers explore the coast on foot, runners pace and beachside yoga classes bring quiet movement to the day.
When the sky is blue and the sun is firmly in position, head down to the well-known Cable Beach House for a long, slow breakfast overlooking the ocean. Think fresh tropical fruit, eggs cooked your way and strong coffee in the warm morning breeze.
Afternoon adventures
Join a camel train at sunset. (Credit: C J Maddock)
When you’re ready to explore, carve a path along the Minyirr Park Trail – a gentle 1.5-2km track through coastal bushland with spectacular views of the dunes. Refuel at the nearby Spinifex Brewery for lunch with its low-key, outdoor beer garden. There’s even an outdoor playground if you’re travelling with young humans.
Walk off your lazy lunch by watching (or joining) one of the beach soccer or volleyball games, or even try Silent Beats Broome – a silent walking disco through the dunes. Or book a spot on the famous camel trains, watching the sun drop below the horizon along the way. They’re a constant reminder of the fascinating history, landscape and cultural mix in this part of the country.
Evening degustation
Stop into the Cable Beach Club. (Credit: Tourism WA)
As the day closes, watch the world-famous Cable Beach sunset from the appropriately named Sunset Grill at Cable Beach Club. This open-air terraced dining spot overlooking the beach is the kind of place where the view takes centre stage.
While you sip on a lychee, lime & lemonade mocktail or a local beer, enjoy the bustle of life and nature outside as the day comes to an end.
For dinner, nab a table at the Bali Hai Cafe, where they offer pan-fried crispy barramundi, Abrolhos Island scallops and deep-sea snow crab. When you’re ready for bed, check in to Pinctada Hotel Broome – a lush, tropical resort with palm-dotted gardens and a large, lagoon-style pool to cool off in.
Beyond the beach
Beyond the wide, open beach and never-ending sky of Cable Beach, there are many more reasons to visit North West Australia. These are just a few.
Unmatched experiences
Join Shinju Matsuri Festival’s popular Long Table Dinner. (Credit: Tourism WA)
Engage with the history of the land and its people on an Indigenous cultural tour exploring everything from the local wildlife to the tastes of bush tucker. To understand the importance of pearling to this town, take a tour of Chinatown, or head outside of town to the live pearl harvests at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of Australia’s oldest pearl farms.
Learn why Japanese pearlers were central to Broome’s pearling success and visit the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia, where 900 Japanese pearlers were buried – a testament to the risks and rewards of this dangerous profession.
And book ahead every spring for when communal tables, freshly cooked local fare and festoon lighting fill the beach for the extremely popular Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach. It’s a highlight of the Shinju Matsuri Festival, along with the Floating Lanterns Matsuri, where you can personalise a lantern and gently release it into the sea to honour those you love.
Dining discoveries
Settle in for Matso’s famous ginger or mango beer. (Credit: Tourism WA)
Further your culinary adventure at the laid-back Sunday Sesh at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Chow down on smoked crocodile or Aussie barramundi while kicking back to a local DJ as the heat of the day fades.
For more tunes, the beautiful outdoor Bay Club at the Mangrove Hotel is a great choice for dinner with live music, DJs or an event that stretches on into the early hours. Still hungry? Pop by Johnny Sausage for Italian-influenced meals paired with impeccable wines.
Natural beauties
Experience the striking colours of Gantheaume Point. (Credit: Tourism WA)
Avoid the crowds and head to Town Beach for a quieter vantage point to see the phenomenal Staircase to the Moon – a natural illusion where the rising full moon is reflected on the tidal flats, creating a shimmering ‘staircase’ stretching up to the sky.
Just south of Cable Beach are the deep red cliffs and dramatic ocean views of Gantheaume Point, where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be seen, revealed at low tide. Or head to Roebuck Bay to visit the internationally significant wetlands, where vast tidal flats are home to shorebirds and coastal fauna.
Between October and March, watch turtles nesting and hatchlings emerge from the sand. You’ll be holding your breath as they make their way down to the shoreline, ready to start their life in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.
