MORE than 6000 people are expected to visit Rottnest Island when Carnivale returns with daring pirates and majestic mermaids on October 28.
Now in its fourth year, Carnivale is an island-wide fiesta packed with free entertainment and activities for all ages.
It is hosted by the Rottnest Island Authority, which promises a fantastic day to experience all the island has to offer.
There will be lots of free entertainment and activities, including a scary movie marathon, live shows and tasty Halloween-themed food.
Carnivale helps raise funds for Telethon, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
From 10am the island will teem with pirates and mermaids and there will also be a gladiator arena.
For the more playful, free event zones around the island will include bubble soccer, archery tag, a dunk tank, fishing clinics, spider mountain, Lego-building sessions, a pirate treasure hunt and a sustainable food theatre.
In the evening the island transforms into a spookynight of mouth-watering food, dance and entertainment.
There are discounted ferry tickets, with special Carnivale tickets on sale from $29 same-day return leaving Fremantle and $39 from Hillarys.
If you want to turn it into a weekend affair, there is a two-night minimum stay over the weekend with Rottnest Island Authority Accommodation.
- (08) 9432-9111, www.rottnestisland.com/carnivale