If your stay at Rockingham Holiday Village includes some time to enjoy the coast, the best things to do in Rockingham start with the foreshore and Penguin Island — both close by and easy to reach.
Rockingham Foreshore
The Rockingham Foreshore is a straightforward option for a beach day — swimming, walking, or just relaxing by the water, with the kind of easy access that doesn't require much planning beyond turning up.
Coastal walking trails connect various points along Rockingham's foreshore, a reasonable option if you'd rather be active than just sit on the beach — anywhere from a short stroll to a longer walk depending on your time.
Penguin Island
Penguin Island is a short ferry trip from Mersey Point Jetty and home to a colony of little penguins, along with other coastal wildlife — a genuine drawcard if you're visiting with family and have a few hours to give it. Note that the island is closed to visitors from June to mid-September to protect the penguin breeding season, so check ferry schedules before planning around it.
Fitting it around your stay
For anyone working at HMAS Stirling with limited free time, it's worth being realistic about what's achievable in a spare few hours — the foreshore itself is an easy, quick option, while Penguin Island needs more of a commitment given the boat trip involved.
For families staying a few days, splitting time between the foreshore for a quick beach visit and a dedicated day for Penguin Island tends to work better than trying to fit both into the same day, particularly if you've got younger kids who tire more easily.
None of this is essential if you're here purely for defence or marine work — the foreshore and Penguin Island are bonuses for the days when your schedule allows. But if you've got some time during your stay, both are genuinely worth the visit.
The takeaway: the Rockingham Foreshore is an easy, no-planning beach option, while Penguin Island is worth the extra effort if you've got a few hours and want to see the local wildlife.