Rottnest Island guided tours
The Rottnest Island Voluntary Guides conduct guided tours all year round, providing insight to the natural and cultural heritage environments on the Island. Some of their tours are listed below:
Bathurst Lighthouse and Pilot Boat service - 1 hour
Pilots were stationed on Rottnest Island between 1838 and 1903 to guide ships safely around the Island's dangerous reefs. This free walk to the Bathurst Lighthouse involves enthralling tales of the exploits of the Pilots and crew on Rottnest. The tour incorporates the pilot crew accommodation, the boathouse and replica pilot boat.
Wadjemup Lighthouse tours
(Now open 5 days a week from Tuesday to Saturday!)
Come and experience the breathtaking views from the top of the Wadjemup lighthouse. The only Lighthouse to be open to the public on Rottnest Island, this is a unique opportunity to discover what goes on within the walls of a real lighthouse. The view from the highest point on the Island will take your breath away with spectacular 360 degree views. Crystal blue and turquoise waters gently frame the stunning views of this beautiful Island in the Indian Ocean.
From the top of Wadjemup Lighthouse you will see a distant mainland Australia to the east and to the west stunning vistas that will take your eye to the edge of the world. Half hourly tours commence from 11am, with last entry at 2pm. Please note only a maximum of 10 visitors are allowed each tour, and there are no toilet or water facilities at the Lighthouse.
History of the settlement - 1 hour
A free guided history walk around the settlement. See where gaolers and ship pilots lived and worked. Discover why Rottnest became an Aboriginal "open prison" in 1839.
Oliver Hill guns and tunnels - 1 hour
A tour over one of the restored World War Two 9.2 inch diameter guns and the maze of underground tunnels. Discover why they were installed on Rottnest and how they operated. Cycle (25 mins), walk (45 mins) or take the train to Oliver Hill for this tour. Please note, a small fee applies for this tour.
Vlamingh Lookout and Salt Lakes walk - 1 hour
Learn about the remarkable agriculture, industry and exports carried out by the early inhabitants of Rottnest. Walk past the Old Colonial Buildings of the Settlement on the way to the lookout. View the natural beauty of Rottnest and the Salt Lakes from this vantage point.
Quokka walk
Rottnest Island's famous marsupial, the quokka, is discovered in this informative walking tour. With an educational focus, this walk leads participants to the quokka's natural habitats and imparts some interesting facts about the animal that represents Rottnest in many visitors' minds.
Coach and train tours
Island coach tour
The Island's popular 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 Island. 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.
Oliver Hill train ride and tour
Join us on the Rottnest Island Railway Train, the 'Captain Hussey' and journey up to picturesque Oliver Hill for a guided tour of the massive 9.2 inch diameter gun and tunnel system that forms part of Rottnest's significant military heritage. The Oliver Hill gun battery, built in the 1930s, played a major role in Western Australian coastal defences designed to protect military and cargo vessels in Fremantle Harbour. It has been restored and established as a military museum and regular guided tours are conducted by the Rottnest Voluntary Guides.
Train ride and tour
The train ride and tour is two hours in duration. The train departs from the Settlement Railway Station at 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm*. During summer additional train ride and tours run at 10:30am and 11:30am.
Train ride only
Please note: 2.30pm departure is a one hour train ride only without tour of the Oliver Hill Guns and tunnels. Tickets for the Train may be purchased at the Visitor Centre.
Oliver Hill guns and tunnels tour only
For those making their way to Oliver Hill by foot or bicycle, a guided tour is also offered at 9:30am.
For further information about the guided tours on Rottnest Island please contact the Rottnest Island Visitor Centre on + 61 8 9372 9732.