Where the Coast Comes to Life

The City of Rockingham is one of the fastest growing Local Government areas in Perth’s outer southern suburbs and is located about 40km south of the Perth CBD.

Home to almost 140,000 residents, the City of Rockingham covers 262km2 and is neighboured by the City of Mandurah in the south, the City of Kwinana in the north and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale in the east.

For thousands of years the area the City covers was inhabited by the Nyungar People. When European settlers arrived in the area it was named after the ship “Rockingham” which ran aground during stormy weather in 1830.

On 21 May 1897 the Rockingham Road Board was constituted. On 1 July 1961 the area took another step forward as it was renamed the Shire of Rockingham before finally becoming the City of Rockingham on 12 November 1988.

In recent times the City of Rockingham has become one of the fastest growing municipalities in Western Australia and is situated in one of Australia’s highest growth corridors.

Designated as one of WA’s strategic metropolitan centres, the City of Rockingham’s population is expected to approach 200,000 in the next decade as more people discover the benefits of living in a City where the coast comes to life.

The location of the Rockingham Beach Cup & Carnival, Rockingham Foreshore, is a popular tourist destination offering a wide range of visitor experiences and activities along the shore line and in the surf. As Perth’s only north facing beach, it provides a truly unique experience, with more sunshine and relatively sheltered conditions throughout the year.

Whether it be a visit to the penguin viewing facility, a dive off one of the many neighbouring islands, sailing a yacht within the protected bays, recreational boat and jetty fishing, enjoying the vast stretches of white sandy beaches, or swimming amongst the wild dolphins that inhabit the local bays - Rockingham promises a memorable and unique experience for every visitor.

Visit the Penguin Island Visitor Centre Rockingham to learn more, book accommodation and tours or find out about other events in one of Australia’s fastest growing coastal cities.