Last Updated on December 6, 2023 by Natalia
How do you get to Rottnest Island, home to the world-famous quokkas, is a stunning island paradise located just off the coast of Perth, Western Australia? With its crystal clear-waters, pristine beaches, and friendly resident quokkas, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular day trips from Perth for both tourists and locals alike. It’s a beautiful spot to visit, and is home to some of the best places to snorkel in Perth – and we cover these spots in more depth in our guide to snorkelling at Rottnest Island. In this guide we cover how to get to Rottnest Island from both Fremantle and Perth, with links to book ferry tickets, information on departure times, and more!
Find out the best way to spend your time on the island with our amazing Rottnest Island day trip itinerary!
How to get to Rottnest Island from Fremantle by Ferry
There are several ferries a day to Rottnest Island from Fremantle, with tickets available for as little as $79 AUD for a same day return trip. Ferries depart from B-Shed in Victoria Quay, which is a short walk or drive from Fremantle town centre.
The ferry from Fremantle to Rottnest Island only takes around 30 minutes, and arrives into the island’s main settlement at Thomson Bay. There is plenty of parking by the ferry terminal at Victoria Quay, which costs $10 AUD for the day. It’s best to arrive at least 30 minutes early to ensure you get a parking spot and to check in for your ferry, or alternatively you can take the train to Fremantle Station which is less than a 10 minute walk from the B-Shed ferry terminal.
Click here to see the location of the parking area near to the B-Shed ferry terminal!
Ferries to Rottnest Island can get very busy and often sell out, especially during the peak summer months, so it’s best to book your tickets in advance. Tickets can easily be booked through Get Your Guide, with different options including bike hire, skydive packages, or just ferry tickets themselves. We cover the various options below with links to book your preferred ticket option.
Fremantle to Rottnest Packages
There are plenty of great activities and things to do on Rottnest Island that can be booked in conjunction with your ferry tickets.
One of the most popular ways to get around the island is to rent a bike and cycle, which is great for exploring the island at your own pace. It’s a lot easier to see quokkas this way, and gives you the chance to visit some spots that the buses don’t visit.
Get Your Guide offer a great package for a return ferry ticket to Rottnest Island from Fremantle with bike hire included for just $114 AUD per person. Booking your bike hire in advance saves time on arrival, as you can join a designated queue to pick up your bike and be on your way quickly!
Click here to book your ferry and bike hire through Get Your Guide!
If you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie then there is also the option to skydive at Rottnest Island. Skydiving gives you a unique perspective of the island and its stunning nature from above, as well as giving you a thrilling experience on your way back down to land from either 10,000, 14,000, or 15,000 feet!
Get Your Guide offer Rottnest Island ferry tickets combined with a skydiving experience starting from $481 AUD per person during peak season. If you want to make your visit to the island truly unforgettable, then this is the choice for you!
Click here to book ferry tickets and a thrilling skydive through Get Your Guide!
Fremantle to Rottnest Island Ferry Tickets
A standard same day return ferry ticket to Rottnest Island from Fremantle costs just $79 AUD per person. This is the best option if you plan to get around Rottnest on foot or by taking the hop-on-hop-off bus.
There are 2 Sealink Rottnest ferry departure times available through Get Your Guide, either at 7am or 9am. If you don’t mind an early start then we recommend going for the 7am option, as this gives you more time to explore the island and see the cute resident quokkas. You will still have plenty of time if you take the 9am ferry, but as there is lots to see and do on the island we suggest taking the earlier option if possible!
Click here to book return ferry tickets through Get Your Guide!
How to get to Rottnest Island from Perth by Ferry
It’s also possible to take the ferry to Rottnest Island from Perth CBD, as well as from north of the CBD in Hillarys. These ferries take longer than the ferries from Fremantle as it’s a larger distance to travel, but are more convenient if they’re nearer to where you’re staying.
Ferries from the Perth CBD depart from the Barrack Street Jetty and take around 90 minutes to reach Rottnest. The advantage of this option though is that you get to cruise along the Swan River on your journey, and it’s still more convenient than getting to Fremantle if you’re staying in or near the CBD.
It takes around 45 minutes on the ferry from the Hillarys Boat Harbour to Rottnest Island, and there is a reasonably sized car park near to the harbour. If you’re staying north of the CBD then departing from Hillarys is a good option as it’s a quicker ferry trip.
Visiting Rottnest Island is one of the most unique things to do in Perth.
Perth to Rottnest Packages
If you don’t fancy snorkelling during your trip to the island, or you have your own snorkelling equipment, then there is the option to book a return trip from Perth to Rottnest with just bike hire. This costs just $155 AUD per person, and also departs from the Barrack Street Jetty in Perth CBD.
Click here to book ferry tickets from Perth with bike hire through Get Your Guide!
Perth to Rottnest Island Ferry Tickets
A standard same day return ferry ticket getting from Perth to Rottnest Island costs $119 AUD per person. Ferries depart at 8.30am from Barrack Street Jetty, with the ferry trip taking around 90 minutes each way. Tickets can be booked in advance through Get Your Guide using the link below – and we recommend booking as soon as possible as tickets often sell out!
Click here to book a return ferry from Perth CBD via the Get Your Guide website!
Alternatively, if you’re planning to head to Rottnest from Hillarys Boat Harbour then ferry tickets cost just $89 AUD per person. These ferries take just 45 minutes each way, and there are departures at both 7.30am and 10am.
An advantage of taking the ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour to Rottnest is that you have the option for complimentary hotel pick up and drop off at locations in Perth, Northbridge and Scarborough. Ferry tickets can be booked in advance through Get Your Guide, and make sure to select the complimentary pick up and drop off option if you need it!
Click here to book a return ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour on the Get Your Guide website!
How To Get To Rottnest Island from Perth by Plane
For those seeking a more luxurious and scenic journey, taking a seaplane from Perth is a fantastic option for how to get to Rottnest Island. It’s both the quickest and most expensive way to get to Rottnest, but it’s worth every penny for the views!
Flights last 15-20 minutes and include a full figure of eight scenic loop of Rottnest from above, providing you with stunning aerial views of the island. Departing from the Swan River, you will also be treated to brilliant views of the Perth cityscape and the Fremantle coastline during your flight.
Get Your Guide offer one-way flights from Perth to Rottnest Island from $250 AUD per person, or $350 AUD for a same day return trip. Book your tickets in advance using the link below to ensure you can fly on your preferred date!
Looking for ideas where to visit next in Australia? Check out our 4 day Melbourne itinerary and our 4 day Sydney itinerary!
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