Ferry to Rottnest Island
Rottnest is a popular ferry destination. This is especially true for day tourists.ย If you are planning to visit Rottnest, you can choose from threeย ferry operators that depart from four locations.ย
Those who want to stay on the island must also pay an Island Admission Fee. That's AUD 21 for adults and AUD 10,50ย for children. This is automatically added to your ferry booking.
Rottnest Island ferry routes map
We have placed the different routes in an interactive map so you can easily see where the ferries sail and with which company you can book them.
Perth city to Rottnest Island ferries
The ferry from central Perth takes 1.5 hours to the island and is much more expensive than the other routes. However, choosing this crossing can be very convenient as you don't have to travel all the way to the coast.
Fremantle to Rottnest Islands ferries
There are two ships from Fremantle. Rottnest Express departs north of the water Swan/Inner Harbor and Sealink south of this. The ports are not too far from a bridge so you could consider both.
North Fremantle to Rottnest ferry
Hillary Harbour to Rottnest Island ferries
If you are departing from the North, the Hillarys ferry is worth considering. This sails to the island in 45 minutes.
Rottnest Island Ferry Tickets
Rottnest Express ferry departing from Fremantle
The ferries that leave for Rottnest are comparable in price. Only the ferry from the centre of Perth is much more expensive. This is also in line with the sailing time, which is considerably longer.
An extra Island Admission fee is added to each ticket:ย
- Adults: $21 for a one-day trip and $28 for an extended stay
- Children 4-12: $10,50 for a day trip and $14 for an extended stay
- Children 0-3: Free
Tickets can be booked through tbooking he ferry companies or via a website. The advantage of this is that you get all price proposals in one overview and can therefore easily compare.
Timetable, availability, and compare prices
Our online booking module makes it easy to find and book your desired ferry crossing. All you have to do is enter your departure port, destination, and travel dates. The system will show you the best routes and possible alternatives. You can then choose the ferry that best suits your needs and budget. Have a great trip to Rottnest!
Travel tip: Book early
The prices for the ferries rise sharply as the boats fill up. Especially during peak season, the ferries and parking decks fill up quickly. Therefore, book far in advance and avoid high costs.
Getting Around at Rottnest Island
Bikes at Parker Point, Rottnest Island
All ferries arrive at the same pier on the east side of the island. This is on Henderson Avenue, near the visitor centre. From here you can continue your way in different ways.
Rottnest Island is a car-free island. So you cannot drive around in your own car. Fortunately, there are plenty of other options to explore the island. For example, there is a bicycle rental and a Segway rental near the harbour in Rottnest. It is of course also possible to bring your own bicycle on the ferry.
Hiking is also great fun on the island. But exploring the island on foot is a bit too much for most people. The shortest route from the ferry port to the other side of the island is about 6 miles or 10 km. That is certainly not the most beautiful route. So to be able to explore the island properly, you need to be a well-trained hiker.
Many people opt for the hop-on-hop-off bus. With this, you can easily view the highlights of the park and plan your walks yourself. This also leaves you with some extra time to spot Quokkas or take a dip in the sea.
The Quokka, is the small Wallaby species that the island of Rottnest is famous for.
Tips for ferry travelers
Im hoping to take this trip next year from Hillarys Harbour, How frequent are the trips?