Rottnest Island Round-Trip Ferry from Perth
4.2

Rottnest Island Round-Trip Ferry from Perth

By Rottnest Express
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The white sand beaches, tranquil bays, and nature reserves of Rottnest Island lie just off the coast of Perth. This tour is ideal for independent travelers who want to explore the island at their own pace without the hassle of organizing their own transport. Cruise out to the island by high-speed ferry and enjoy a full day to discover the island. Perhaps hire bikes and cycle the coastal roads, dive in to swim and snorkel at the beaches, or spot quokkas in the nature reserve.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 400 per group
Duration: 7–8 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Written guide
Print or digital reading material such as a guide, map, brochure, etc.
: English
More

Highlights
  • Free time on Rottnest Island to swim, bike, or snorkel
  • Chance to spot quokkas at the Rottnest Island nature reserve
  • Self-guided tour: explore the island at your own pace
  • Round-trip transport by high-speed ferry from Perth or Fremantle

  • Same day return ferry to Rottnest Island from Perth
  • Rottnest Island Authority fee
What's not included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Entrance fees to any attractions


Start:
  • Rottnest Express Barrack Street Jetty Ferry Terminal, 2 Barrack St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
    Ferry departs from Barrack Street jetty at 8:45am. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before departure.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Stroller accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Infant seats available
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5297FERRY

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travelers can participate
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 400 travelers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5297FERRY

    From
    ₱4,659.04
    per adult
    Select date and travelers

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    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Rottnest Express
      4.2 of 5 bubbles2,494
      Australia
      Joined in May 2009
    • nozkez
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A wonderful day from Perth
      A wonderful day from Perth. The trip down the Swan River with commentary was an unexpected bonus. Such a diverse history. The boat was well equipped and comfortable. We also did the 90 min bus tour around the island and this was also excellent. The bus had lovely big (and clean) windows and we were given lots of time for photographs. Abby was our host on both the boat over to the island and on the bus, and she was very knowledgeable (although her dad jokes leave a lot to be desired!) Mark was the bus driver and knew where to pull over for great photos. The premium package back to Perth contained a complimentary drink as well as cheese and biscuits and yummy sweet finger food. The trip was quite rough but we had been warned about this, and staff were on hand with "bags" for those unfortunate passengers. (We are from NSW and the trip didn't compare to a rough day on the Manly Ferry!!!!) The quokkas are very cute and we got lots of photos; however, there were only a few around so the iconic selfie was not to be had, unfortunately. We were not too disappointed though as the whole day exceeded our expectations.
      Written March 21, 2025
    • Nicci B
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Rottnest
      Booked the day trip, ferry, then the train then the bus tour of the island. The guides were great, part of the package was lunch, which was simple yet tasty. The only frustration we had was how many times the guide had to say, "don't pat the quokkas, don't feed the quokkas, don't disturb the quokkas" Apparently even the signs saying the same thing were irrelevant. The guide was great, the trip was excellent, the quokkas are amazing. Just need to remember to respect the wildlife and listen!!!
      Written March 20, 2025
    • matty_woods
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Rottnest Express Thrill Boat Is Awesome!!!
      Jody and Max were fantastic hosts. The boat ride was so enjoyable. We some nice air, saw an Australian Sea Lion resting on Wallace Island, and got to see Porpoise Bay up close. A must do if you're going to Rottnest Island.
      Written March 15, 2025
    • J1896WMbrians
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      WOULD DO IT AGAIN
      The ferry trip was comfortable and crew helpful. The guided bus tour was great, informative with a knowledgeable guide and good driver.
      Written March 12, 2025
    • Tourist33356895025
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Quokka
      So beautiful and easy to get around. The trip over was a bit bumpy but that was due to the wind. Staff were very informative and helpful
      Written March 10, 2025
    • Gaynor J
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Rottnest such a beautiful place to visit.
      Rottnest Island was an absolutely beautiful place. The variety of beaches and seas were a beautiful turquoise colour Stunning . The Quokkas were amazing so friendly and not bothered by us humans. The grocery shops on the island had so much choice of fresh fruit and other foods 😋 and gifts. Such an excellent and relaxing place to visit. Amazing.
      Written March 7, 2025
    • Mnmoore68
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Professional staff and vehicles
      Very professional staff. Boat and bus were nice and were on time. We had time to do all we wanted to do on the island and were able to get advice from the Rottnest staff.
      Written February 28, 2025
    • Peter W
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Rottnest Island Eco Speedboat Adventure
      A great trip around Rottnest Island. Informative commentary and some awesome experiences at speed. The whole day went perfectly, from catching the ferry at Fremantle, to boarding the adventure boat and then spending time enjoying the island before heading home. A really great day!
      Written February 27, 2025
    • samoruk65
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Tranquility and stunning scenery
      Beautiful island, stunning beaches and bays. Dolphins swimming near to shore. We did the 90 minute bus tour around the island with commentary which was worth doing and very interesting. Enough places to get food and enough seating around where the ferries are moored.
      Written February 25, 2025
    • lindyg2025
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent trouble free
      Excellent return trip. Organised and on time. No issues. Even saw a staff member offering sick bags. Glad I've never had that issue.
      Written February 15, 2025
    • W5139QYmichaelc
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great fun!
      An interesting and exhilarating ride around the island. Great skipper and guide! Spotted wildlife around the coast including fur seals and osprey (and wealthy yacht owners!)
      Written February 13, 2025
    • benitad854
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Well worth a visit, and a amazing experience
      We had a great experience at Rottnest, the boat journey over was great, we hired bikes and that was a great way to see the island, we had lunch at pinkies which was really good. The island is so clean and the people that work on the island are so friendly. The beaches are incredible.
      Written February 11, 2025
    • Clare E
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Thrilling boat ride at Rottnest Island
      We would highly recommend this adventure boat ride. Our captain was Malcolm, who skippered the boat expertly and made the journey safe while also making it great fun. Jess was our tour guide, she was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the island and the wildlife we could find. We enjoyed every minute!
      Written February 10, 2025
    • Ele_viajes
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      It is so worth it!!!!!! we loved it!!!!
      The boat trip was amazing and the skipper and tour guide were excellent. We loved the speed and skills of our skipper, she was great!!!! also in each of the different areas where we stopped the guide gave us a good talk and we learned a lot. The day was beautiful and the whole experience was fantastic.
      Written February 8, 2025
    • Alke27
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Brilliant and fun! See Rottnest at its best.
      What an awesome and different way to see Rottnest! The tour guide Sophie and skipper Jodi were so friendly and knowledgeable. The wildlife out on such an awesome show for us as we saw a pod of around 50 dolphins, sea lions, seals and a sting ray. The waters were crystal clear and we saw parts of Rottnest we had never seen before. I will definitely book again when we have visitors come stay.
      Written February 4, 2025
    See all 2,494 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    4.2
    4.2 of 5 bubbles219 reviews
    Excellent
    120
    Very good
    63
    Average
    17
    Poor
    5
    Terrible
    14

    LCandEddie
    Brisbane, Australia36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you make it to Perth, a Rottnest Island day trip should def make the itinerary. It was easy & convenient to take the city’s free public bus red line to the Barrack Street Jetty, catching the ferry from CBD is a bit longer journey but well worth the scenic ride and historical commentary. We had plenty of time to explore the island, enjoy a nice lunch and of course snap a few quokka selfies. If hiring bikes, def upgrade to the EBike as the island has steep hills and was quite windy. We saw many folks, ourselves included, pushing bikes up the hill by foot. A visit in August had perfect weather, but be sure to pack the sunscreen as the UV was elevated and there was little shade while exploring. There’s a cute camper van cafe with coffees & milkshakes near Cathedral Rocks, where the the fur seals frolic. The settlement had plenty of lunch options but I should note some of the big venues were closed (visited on a Tuesday) Pro Tip- the bike hire from Pedal & Flipper had nicer maintained bikes & helmets. Can book online in advance, but showing up as we did with no booking was very quick and staff super nice. There’s a nice market store with all the essentials/snacks and souvenirs. We were excited to see the pink lakes, however, they weren’t pink at all even on a sunny day. Would recommend mapping out in advance areas of the island that you’d like to see so you don’t miss anything!
    Written August 29, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi, Firstly, thank you so much for your 5-star review and amazing feedback! We just loved reading about your fabulous day on Rottnest Island and we are so glad that we were able to help make it so memorable. Thank you for choosing to travel with Rottnest Express and we hope to see you again soon. Kind regards, The Rottnest Express Sales Team
    Written September 1, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    The Disabled Traveller
    Scotland, UK193 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2023 • Couples
    This was an interesting experience. Get there a little earlier if you want to sit up too and see the views.

    It was pretty expensive so be prepared to be shocked by the cost and also very busy and don’t dare miss your last ferry back or get on the wrong one either!

    Rottnest Island itself was a bit of a disappointment. It was absolutely mobbed like Oxford street in London on Christmas Eve on steroids!!

    The island if you can get to see it is beautiful but the bus ride taking you round is horrific, stopping to ram folk onto the bus and struggling to let folk off the bus at $25 each to be crammed onto a bus in sweltering heat was not funny.

    The driver to be fair tried his best, but just too many folk on the island it sort of the defeats the purpose of the whole eco tourism thing.

    We managed to spend a whole hour and a half trying to find a spot on a beach to just enjoy the scenery.

    Don’t go during peak season you’ll be thoroughly disappointed, take everything you need and do not forget sun cream and stay hydrated. The food outlets are rammed and expensive $5 for a 1/2litre bottle of water $10 for a tray of fries, although there are water refill stations dotted about they are in constant use and again you’ll need to stand in line to use them.

    Be prepared for a long wait in line to get back on the ferry again and do not miss it we watched a couple of folk who missed theirs by literal minutes and it wasn’t funny.

    Would I go back, yes when it was quieter and not filled with tourists and screaming kids fed up being dragged around or waiting in line or fed up being stuck on a bus when all they wanted to do was get on a beach, make sandcastles and swim in the beautiful waters.

    And yes we did see a Qoukka!
    Written January 10, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi, Thank you for your 5-star review and valuable feedback, we appreciate that the island is extremely busy this time of year and can sympathise with your troubles however unfortunately at this time of year it can be incredibly difficulty to avoid the crowds on the island. We hope to see you again soon, on a less busy day hopefully! Kind Regards, The Rottnest Express Sales Team
    Written January 11, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Anne S
    Leeds, UK616 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2024 • Couples
    Our day trip from Perth to Rottnest Island was part of our Journey Beyond package. We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the ferry terminal in Perth. Check in was simple and the journey took 90mins, with a stop at Fremantle. Our trip included a bus tour round the island which had a couple of stops for photos and a lunch at a restaurant which was very pleasant. The island rangers were providing free talks on quokkas. You will definitely see plenty of quokkas as they hang around the bakery area. Overall, pleased we did this day trip.
    Written December 6, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Alby H
    4 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2024 • Couples
    We visited Rottnest about 25 years ago and today when re visiting, found that things had really changed. We had forgotten much about the island information since last visit. Information upon arrival regarding the many attraction points around the island was very sparse. A supplied brochure highlighted the type of attractions that may be found on the island, but no descriptions of each stop on the island bus route and what was to be found there. This was more an advertising brochure than a guide for visitors. A map named and numbered the stops but there was no list to describe each. Eventually we spent the day hopping on and off the bus hoping to find items of interest. Unfortunately it was too late in the day to do the train ride to the gun turrets because the rides were booked out. Very disappointed at this as this was the only reasonable way to get to them.
    Also the main shopping area was inundated with Quokkas, Crows and Seagulls with the birds fighting each other for any scraps of food that silly tourists threw at them, with the result of much squawking and crazy birds simulating a famous movie from many years ago. The Quokkas were hanging around for any scraps that were left around also instead of retiring to their natural habitat; the bush.
    Since our last visit, this place has been heavily commercialised and is aimed straight at the tourist dollar with the tourist adventure coming second. If you think we are just soreheads, try asking a few others like we did. Where were the rangers who should be controlling the tourists for the good of the Quokkas and where is the satisfactory control of the birds?
    Written August 5, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi Albert, Thank you for your feedback. This account is managed by the Rottnest Express team and as such we think your feedback would be better suited to the island management who look after a majority of the island activities. We are unable to assist with actioning any of the above feedback in this instance. Kind Regards, The Rottnest Express Sales Team
    Written September 30, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Gene R J
    Silver Spring, MD11,250 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2023 • Couples
    We departed Perth Port at 8:30AM on the Rottnest Sea Eagle, sitting in the open seats on top. The guide’s informative narrative made an interesting trip down the Swan river with close views of boats and expensive houses. After a stop at Fremantle and a smooth crossing with a Humpback whale sighting, we arrived at Rottnest Port at 10:30AM.
    We had a perfect amount of time on the island to walk a 3 mile circuit on the paved lane being passed by lots of biking families with kids on holiday. We saw both lighthouses, visited the nice free island museum and enjoyed an ice cream at one of the busy cafes.
    We returned on the 2:30PM Eagle Express, happy that it was entirely enclosed as that crossing was rough and rainy, arriving back at Fremantle Shed B at 3:30PM.
    Wonderful day.
    Written October 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi, Thank you for your glowing 5-star review and valuable feedback. It sounds like you did it all in a day! We are so pleased to hear that you had such an enjoyable trip and hope to see you again soon. Kind Regards, The Rottnest Express Sales Team
    Written December 4, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    422troyg
    29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our Family of 5 made the return crossing from Perth. We purchased the upgrade for express entry but if you arrive early you will miss the queue. To our surprise the upgrade included a gift ( coffee cup, water bottle postcards in a zip case) and vouchers for drinks and snacks which went down very well especially cruising on the way back to Perth with the sun setting with dolphins frolicking about. The big winner was our host on this day (18/09/22) whose commentary regarding the sights and history of the areas from Perth was informative, funny and much appreciated. His Patience to those who refused to stay seated when docking as they tried to be at the front of the departure cue was a lesson in class! Thanks guys for a great trip!
    Written September 18, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi, Thank you for your glowing 5-star review and feedback! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your premium Perth experience with Rottnest Express and felt the experience was a memorable one. Our hosts always work to deliver an informative and enjoyable experience, so we will be sure to pass on your positive experience to our host from the day. We hope to see you travelling with us again soon! Kind regards, The Rottnest Express Sales Team
    Written September 27, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    DadandCab
    Coffs Harbour, Australia1,349 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2022
    There were a couple of companies offering the ferry from Freemantle Shed B but we chose the express. Not sure how much you can say about a ferry other than it arrived on time, left pretty much on time and arrived on time. The vessel on the way over was smaller with few facilities and a much smaller outdoor area but the return vessel was larger with a much larger outdoor seating & a snack bar. If this is important to you best check the schedule before travelling. If sitting outdoors, check with the crew whether you are likely to get wet. A couple of people in prime position needed to move inside due to the prevailing winds and rough water, their seats got duly soaked!
    Written May 12, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi, Thank you for your feedback and kind review! We are glad our services left a positive impression on you and we were able to offer you a safe and enjoyable ride to Rottnest Island. We hope to see you again soon. Kind regards, The Rottnest Express Sales Team
    Written May 17, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    memee08
    Perth, Australia470 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dec 2022
    We have finally taken our teenage children to Rottnest! Having travelled around the world with them, Rottnest always seemed so expensive. It still is! However we had no complaints about using Rottnest Express. We took the 7:30 ferry from Fremantle (B shed) which left on time and took only 30 minutes. We returned on the 3:30 ferry which also kept to schedule. The early ferry proved to be a great move as local parking was a breeze and only $10 for the day (cheaper than train fares at that time of day). The seats on board the ferry were comfortable, which was a blessing when we needed a sleep on the way home, and the air conditioning was perfect. A repetitive video is shown on board which showcased some of Rottnest's highlights. (Great for the Perth to Rottnest leg, less useful for the return trip).
    We hired bikes through Rottnest Express and they were sturdy enough to last lots of Kms. Seat was easily adjustable, helmet and easy-to-use lock included. The bikes have a parcel rack on the back, great for a small backpack.
    We booked the cheapest trips possible, and it is still expensive for a day out, however, both the ferry service and bikes were clean and reliable.
    Written December 30, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi, Thank you for your glowing review and feedback, we are so glad you had such a positive and fun day on the island with us and our bike hire. Thank you for choosing to travel with Rottnest Express and we hope to see you again soon. Kind Regards, The Rottnest Express Sales Team
    Written January 4, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Wathana C
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2022 • Friends
    The ferry ride with Rottnest express was very good, the driver was narrating the whole ride telling us about the areas we went past. We departed from Perth but stopped at Fremantle to collect other passengers which unfortunately crowded the ferry as there were no seats available. That’s the only downside.

    Arriving at the island it was absolutely gorgeous, weather was perfect starting of October and sun was beaming. We caught the hop on hop off bus which takes you to all the beaches and attractions. You can get off anywhere and hop on anytime you like which is awesome but it does get very crowded which some people may not like, but it’s good for its price. It’s not meant to be luxury its purpose is to get you from one place to another and it did it job.

    Every beach is beautiful, definitely recommend little salmon bay and Geordie’s bay as they’re hidden gems.

    Overall the experience was amazing and would recommend to everyone :)
    Written October 2, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi, Thank you for your 5-star review and glowing feedback, we are so glad you had such a memorable day on our beautiful island! Firstly, it's great to hear that you enjoyed the Swan River cruise portion of your ferry journey from Perth, we are sorry to hear it was so busy this lovely weather and school holidays have certainly brought the crowds out. Your day on the island sounds simply amazing and we're so glad you got the chance to explore a few of the best beaches! Thank you for choosing to travel with Rottnest Express and we hope to see you again soon. Kind regards, The Rottnest Express Sales Team
    Written October 6, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Terese W
    27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a beautiful day visiting Rottnest Island. It started with a nice ferry ride from which we spotted a whale nearby. We met a friendly local who advised us of ways to visit the island. Once on the island we got a quick bite to eat (they even had gluten free breakfast sandwiches!) then took the Island Explorer bus that circled the island and allowed you to get off look around at your leisure, then get back on again. The buses are supposed to come every 30 minutes but sometimes it was a little longer. We walked up to see the bunkers (bunker tour extra fee) and ended up spending too much time up there so we missed going to some of the recommended beaches. Also, we didn’t know about the snakes until we were committed to returning on foot through the bush. There were volunteer tour guides at some of the stops and it was worthwhile taking their tours. At the stop on the point we saw seals, whales and dolphins. We ran out of time after that and had to rush back to our return ferry but were delighted to observe the quokkas while we waited for the ferry.
    Written November 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi Terese, Thank you for your 5-star review and valuable feedback. We appreciate you choosing to travel with us and are pleased to hear you had an enjoyable day. Kind Regards, The Rottnest Express Sales Team
    Written December 4, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    Rottnest Island Round-Trip Ferry from Perth provided by Rottnest Express

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