Get back to nature whenever you feel like it at one of the many parks in the Rockingham region.
Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
Shoalwater Islands Marine Park is located 50 kilometres south of Perth off the Rockingham coast and is approximately a 45 minute drive.
The Shoalwater Islands Marine Park contains the waters of Shoal water Bay, Warnbro Sound and a part of Cockburn Sound off Cape Peron. The park encompasses a diverse marine environment and surrounds a chain of unique limestone islands which are significant in the ecology of a number of bird species.
The shipwrecks and cavernous reefs surrounding the islands, provide an ideal environment for snorkellers and divers alike. The reefs are home to a variety of temperate and subtropical invertebrates as well as a number of fish species. Bottlenose dolphins are also a common sight in these waters.
Seal Island provides a home most of the year for a colony of Australian Sea Lions. This species are given special protection under State legislation as the rarest in the world.
Shoalwater Marine Park - map
Penguin Island
Penguin Island is a truly unique place. Only 42km from the centre of Perth, it is home to a diverse array of wildlife and boasts breathtaking marine and coastal scenery. Home to the largest colony of little penguins on the west coast of Australia. The small 12.5 hectare island is less than 700 metres off shore from the growing regional centre of Rockingham.
Penguin Island is one of the State’s premier ecologically sustainable nature-based tourism destinations. The Island has something special for visitors of all ages, whether from the local or metropolitan area, interstate or overseas.
The Penguin Experience - Island Discovery Centre allows visitors to see little penguins up close in an environment similar to their natural habitat, and learn about them through feedings, commentaries and displays. The birds that live in this facility, have either been rejected by their mothers as chicks and raised by wildlife carers, or nursed back to health after injury. They would otherwise have died. They have now become so used to people that they would probably be unable to survive in the wild.
A newly constructed boardwalk provides access between the jetty, picnic area, toilets and The Discovery Centre, for people with disabilities.
Feeding Times: Occur daily at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
Access: The Island is only open to visitors from mid September to early June and only during the day. Ferry tours operate from Mersey Point from mid September to early June and leave for Penguin Island on the hour throughout the day (9am to 3pm). You can take a cruise around the waters and Islands of Shoalwater Bay, with an opportunity to view the Sea Lions lazing on Seal Island and stroll around Penguin Island.
Facilities: There is a grassed picnic area with tables, drinking fountain and environmentally friendly composting toilets.
What to See & Do: Explore the Island, snorkelling/diving, surfing, swimming, sea kayaking, picnicking and fishing are all popular activities at Penguin Island. Note: Spear guns and hand spears (gidgees) are not permitted on the Island.
When to Visit: Penguin Island is open to visitors from mid September to early June. This is because the Island is closed for the rest of the year to protect the penguins during their breeding season from disturbance.
Tours: There are a variety of tours on offer to suite all visitors. All cruises (except night cruises) include entry into the CALM Discovery Centre on Penguin Island. For a list and definition of the tours on offer. Visit www.pengos.com.au or phone (08) 9528 2004.
Things to Remember/Caring for the Island:
- No spear guns or hand held spears are permitted on Penguin Island.
- No BBQ or kiosk facilities are available on Penguin Island.Weather conditions can change quickly making crossing the sand bar very dangerous.
- No gas or spirit cooking is permitted on the Island.
- Please anchor your boat off the beach at Penguin Island, and leave the jetty clear for ferries and management vessels.
- Limestone cliffs, caves and overhangs may be unstable and prone to collapse. Please do not enter these areas.
For more information visit www.pengos.com.au or go to CALM’s website at www.naturebase.net
This page was last reviewed on the 28th March 2008
