Getting to and around Rottnest Island

Ferry

Rottnest Island can be reached by a short ferry ride from the mainland at either Fremantle, Hillary’s Boat Harbour or Perth City. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes from Fremantle, 45 minutes from Hillarys or 90 minutes from Perth's Barrack Street Jetty.

Please contact any of the following ferry companies for timetables and prices.

Rottnest Express

C- Shed, Fremantle- +61 8 9335 6406
Northport, Fremantle - +61 8 9430 5844
Barrack St, Perth - +61 8 421 5888
Website: www.rottnestexpress.com.au

Rottnest Fast Ferries

Hillarys Boat Harbour - +61 8 9246 1039
Website: www.rottnestfastferries.com.au

Oceanic Cruises

B Shed, Fremantle - +61 8 9335 2666
Barrack St, Perth - +61 8 9325 1191
Website: www.oceaniccruises.com.au

Air

Rottnest is also accessible by air and you can even join a scenic flight once you are on the Island. For more information contact Rottnest Air Taxi on 1800 500 006 or +61 8 9292 5027 or visit the Rottnest Air Taxi website.

Getting around Rottnest

Bicycle

Rottnest Island prohibits private vehicles and bus and transport services are also kept to a minimum. Therefore, bicycles are one of the most popular modes of transport. A Bike Hire service is available on the Island, or you can arrange to transport your own bicycle with your chosen ferry company or hire through the ferry company.

Bus

The Bayseeker Bus does just what it says - it seeks out and drops you off at the most beautiful of the 63 beaches and 20 bays on the Island. With a circular route comprising 18 stops, visitors can hop on and off at their selected destinations. All-day tickets are available for purchase at the Rottnest Island Visitor Centre. This service can become busy in summer so be sure to leave plenty of time to return to catch your departing ferry as services may not run exactly to schedule.

The Island's popular Two Hour Coach Tour includes full commentary from a Coach Captain on many aspects of the Island's unique history, environment, heritage and wildlife, as well as up-to-date information on new developments and activities on Rottnest. Wadjemup Lighthouse and the West End are two of the highlights of this popular tour. Tours run daily and tickets are sold at the Visitor Centre.

The Rottnest Shuttle Bus departs from the Thomson Bay settlement main bus stop and provides free transport between Thomson Bay, the Airport, Kingstown Barracks and Geordie Bay. The route also includes Fay’s and Longreach bays however it does not stop at The Basin, which is a 15 minute walk each way from the main settlement. It departs and returns to the main bus stop.

Foot

Guided Walking Tours by the Rottnest Voluntary Guides or Visitor Centre staff are a interesting and easy way to learn more about Rottnest. A new interpretive trail at Bickley Battery, behind Kingstown Barracks, is an interesting self-guided tour of this historic area, incorporating the old railway line, plotting room and gun emplacement as well as some of the most spectacular ocean views found on the Island. Another self-guided tour is also available on Signal Hill, where the Wadjemup Lighthouse is located. Visitors to this area can gain further insight into Rottnest Island's important role during World War Two.

Train

You can also take the Train to Oliver Hill, in the centre of the Island, for a spectacular view of both Rottnest and the mainland, and a close look at the spectacular 9.2 inch diameter gun emplacement.

Note: People with a mobility impairment can arrange special transport options by contacting the Visitor Centre on ph: +61 8 9372 9732 or email visitorservices@rottnestisland.com prior to arrival on Rottnest Island.