Rockingham Beach, Perth: Swimming, restaurants & parks

Rockingham Beach in Perth is a safe, swimmer-friendly spot, with plenty of parks and a restaurant strip. A recent makeover has turned it into a fabulous hang-out.

Rockingham Beach is one of the more attractive beaches in southern Perth. But overseas visitors tend not to be all that interested in the beach. They come to Rockingham for wildlife cruises, swimming with dolphins and the fairy penguins of Penguin Island.

DON’T MISS OUT! 9 fabulous Perth experiences to book today ✅

✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package.
✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise.
✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience.
✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour.
✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise.
✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour.
✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour.
✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive.
✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour.

Rockingham Beach: Swimming and surfing

However, you can have a perfectly good time if you don’t go anywhere near the offshore islands.

Those islands give the beach its character. They act as a protective barrier from the ocean swells, and Rockingham Beach tends to be calm and safe for swimmers.

Don’t bother trying to surf here, however. You’re not going to get much joy.

Rockingham Beach’s real strength, though, is as a place to hang out. In 2019, the foreshore underwent a significant revamp, making it considerably more appealing.

5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special

Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.

Railway Terrace, Rockingham

Neighbouring Railway Terrace has become a pedestrian-friendly dining and shopping strip, full of cafés and restaurants. There’s also a busker’s stage with power and lighting, taking it well beyond bloke with a guitar singing Wonderwall territory.

There’s also the Beach Plaza, an event space designed for flexibility. It hosts farmers’ markets, craft markets, Christmas Carols, movies and concerts throughout the year.

5 fantastic experiences to book in Rockingham

Go swimming with wild dolphins in Shoalwater Bay.
See dolphins, penguins and sea lions – on a Shoalwater Bay islands cruise.
Get closer to the wildlife – on a kayaking tour.
Try flying with a jetpack – or flyboarding.
Take a guided sunset hike to Point Peron – with a glass of sparkling wine as a reward.

Where to stay in Rockingham, WA

The best Rockingham accommodation options are:

For a quality apartment hotel: Quest Rockingham.
To be close to the wildlife cruise departure point: Island Villas Accommodation.
For beachside location: Spinnakers by Rockingham Apartments.
For a pool: Nautilus by Rockingham Apartments.

Beach Bowl at Rockingham Beach

The sloping, grassy Beach Bowl connects the Beach Plaza to the beach, creating an amphitheatre effect. It creates a third park area, along with Churchill Park and Bell Park, which are good bets for picnics and barbecues.

The Boardwalk area, meanwhile, features three timber terraces for hanging out on off the sand, plus a small playground and climbing wall.

Rockingham accommodation options include the apartment-style Quest Rockingham. Other beaches in Perth worth investigating include Scarborough Beach, Trigg Beach and Leighton Beach.