If you love the idea of camping but also love a comfy bed and your own bathroom, Discovery Resorts – Rottnest Island is just about the dream Rotto stay. Tucked in behind the dunes at Pinky Beach, this eco‑resort gives you that under‑canvas, close‑to‑nature feeling, but with resort-style comforts, a pool and one of the best sunset spots on the island right on your doorstep.
We hadn’t been over to Rottnest Island for a few years, so we decided to turn a day trip into an overnight mini‑holiday. There are a few accommodation options on the island, but we were drawn to Discovery because it’s the first low‑impact glamping resort on Rottnest, with 83 eco‑tents ranging from simple standard tents through to deluxe and spacious family tents. As non‑campers with a child who really wanted to go camping, it felt like the perfect compromise.
Booking our stay online was straightforward, but it’s worth noting that ferry tickets are not included in the room rate, so you’ll need to book those separately. The property is about a one‑kilometre, mostly flat walk from the main jetty through the Thomson Bay settlement, and the resort participates in the island’s luggage delivery service. Your bags go from the ferry straight to your tent and back again when you leave – just be aware this can take a few hours, so pack bathers, towels, sunscreen and snacks into a separate day pack. That way the kids can hit the beach or pool straight away while you wait for your luggage to arrive.
We chose a mid‑morning ferry from Fremantle which worked well for families: it gave us time for lunch in the settlement and a bit of early quokka spotting before check‑in at 2pm. Our daughter had joined the Quokka Club before we travelled, so she arrived on the ferry clutching her little passport and snack, already feeling like the adventure had started before we even reached the island. From the jetty, the walk to Discovery is a great introduction to Rotto – you stroll past the bakery and shops, out towards Bathurst Lighthouse and Pinky Beach, with plenty of chances to stop for photos or a quick play.
Check‑in is at Pinky’s Rottnest Island, the resort’s relaxed beachside restaurant and bar. This is also the hub of the property, with the reception desk, pool area, grassy lawn and boardwalks that lead down through the dunes to Pinky Beach and The Basin. The vibe is very “barefoot holiday”: sandy feet, kids racing around the lawn, and parents with a drink in hand watching the sun slide into the ocean.
Our Superior Family Tent was a big hit with everyone. From the outside it looks like a very stylish safari tent with its own timber deck and outdoor seating, but inside it feels more like a cosy hotel suite.
The main space has a king‑size bed, couch and ceiling fan, with a separate annex housing a set of bunk beds. Our six‑year‑old immediately claimed the top bunk and loved that her little “room” could be zipped off for privacy. Every tent has a private ensuite with a proper shower and toilet, and most have a small kitchenette with fridge, kettle, toaster and basic crockery, making it easy to handle simple breakfasts or snacks without leaving your tent. We found the beds really comfortable, the shower hot with good pressure, and the canvas did a great job of keeping things cosy overnight.
Around the resort there are lots of handy family‑friendly facilities. There’s a communal BBQ area with undercover seating if you’d prefer to self‑cater for dinner, and wide boardwalks connecting the tents so prams and little scooters manage fine.
The resort pool is fully fenced and very inviting, with a beach‑entry shallow end that gently slopes down, making it perfect for younger children to splash safely, and it’s only around a metre deep at its deepest point. Sun loungers and shaded seating ring the pool, and the lawn in front of Pinky’s is often set up with giant wooden games that entertain kids while you wait for meals or enjoy a drink.
Despite having access to a lovely pool, we ended up spending most of our time at Pinky Beach itself. The beach is just a short wander through the dunes from the main resort area and is one of Rottnest’s most beautiful stretches of sand – clear, shallow water, gentle waves and stunning views back towards Bathurst Lighthouse. It’s an easy spot to while away a whole afternoon swimming, building sandcastles and watching the changing colours of the ocean.
For dinner, we’d originally thought we might walk back into the settlement and try one of the family‑friendly restaurants there, but the atmosphere at Pinky’s Rottnest Island was too good to leave. The menu has a mix of casual and more restaurant‑style options with a focus on fresh WA produce, and there’s enough variety to keep both kids and adults happy. We sat outside in the warm evening air, listened to the waves and ordered classic fish and chips, which were excellent – crisp batter, generous servings and easy to share. Being able to relax with a drink while our daughter played oversized games on the grass was a holiday win.
One of the unexpected highlights of staying at Discovery was how easy it was to switch off from screens and slow down. After dinner we spent our time riding bikes, walking up to the lighthouse, looking for quokkas and playing card games out on the deck. You don’t have to go far to meet the famous locals – the quokkas wander right through the resort and past the tents. We were warned to keep our tent zips done up as they are very curious guests and will happily wander inside if given the chance!
The next morning, luggage collection for our return ferry was nice and organised – we left our bags on the deck by 8am ready for the island delivery service while we headed to breakfast. A breakfast at Pinky’s Rottnest Island was included in our accommodation, with a small selection of yoghurt pots and fruit to help yourself to, plus a simple cooked menu to order from. Afterwards we grabbed good takeaway coffee to enjoy back on the deck while our daughter squeezed in another beach play and a walk up to the lighthouse to appreciate the view in daylight. Even after check‑out at 10am we still had time to ride and explore before our afternoon ferry, which made the whole overnight stay feel like a full mini‑break rather than a rushed night away.
In terms of practicality, Discovery Resorts – Rottnest Island is an easy, scenic 1km walk from the ferry jetty, but transfers are available on request for guests with mobility issues. Check‑in is from 2pm and check‑out is 10am, which works well with most ferry schedules. The property’s design is deliberately low‑impact, strengthening the surrounding sand dunes and offering improved beach access while keeping the natural feel of the area. It really does feel like glamping done thoughtfully, rather than just “tents instead of rooms”.
Overall, we loved our stay and would happily “camp” at Rottnest this way again. Discovery Resorts – Rottnest Island hits a sweet spot for families: kids get the novelty of sleeping in a tent, spotting quokkas and roaming safely between the beach and pool, while parents get a comfortable bed, private bathroom, on‑site dining and no need to wrestle with tent poles. It’s not the cheapest way to stay on the island, but if you’re after a special weekend, a first Rotto trip with kids, or a glamping experience that still feels like a proper holiday, it’s an excellent choice.
Discovery Resorts – Rottnest Island
Address: Strue Road, Rottnest Island WA 6161, Australia
Check‑in / Check‑out: Check‑in from 2pm; check‑out by 10am (park info)
Official website: Discovery Resorts – Rottnest Island
Click here for more things to do on Rottnest Island
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Claire Tondut is currently a stay-at-home mother of one daughter and a puppy. When she is not chasing little Miss around she loves to spend time with hubby, friends and family.
