Rockingham was first sighted in 1802 by a French expedition. Twenty-six years later in 1827 Captain James Stirling landed on Garden Island while exploring the West Coast of Australia. Then, in 1978, Garden Island was commissioned as H.M.A.S. Stirling Naval Base and is home to the naval ships, HMAS Morsby, Diamantina, and Acute.

For thirty years from 1870 to 1900 Rockingham was known as a port. Rockingham became an important cultural centre and became the centre of the timber industry.

In 1872, a railway was completed at the same time a deep sea jetty was made; it was 14 metres long, held 8.6 metres of water, and was able to accommodate 2 ships at one time. The whole fate of the port depended on the success of the timber industry because it was those timber cargos that would mean a continued existence or a slow death.

In the thirties to the early 50's development in the Rockingham area was slow and life was quiet. During the war years, the famous services reconnaissance department, renowned for its exploits behind enemy lines, trained on Garden Island and used the Warnbro beach area for firing practise. Apart from this, the war years were quiet ones. On July 1st, 1961, Rockingham ended it's 64 year career under the local government act of 1960. The Rockingham Sire Council was proclaimed.

Rockingham offers a lot of recreational opportunities; some of these include jet skiing, wind surfing, fishing, safe beaches to swim in, cricket, football, netball, modelling, and basketball. Overall, Rockingham is just a great place to live.

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