Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Natalia
A day trip to Rottnest Island is undoubtedly a highlight for any visitors in their itinerary to Perth and Western Australia. The island is best known for its resident quokkas – small marsupials related to kangaroos and wallabies – but has plenty more to offer. There are lots of great places to include on a Rottnest Island day trip itinerary, including beautiful beaches, stunning viewpoints, and amazing snorkelling spots – which is why the island features in our guide to the best places to snorkel in Perth! Of course there’s plenty of time to get yourself a quokka selfie too, as quokkas are easy to spot on the island – particularly around the main town. Find out how to make the most of your day trip to Rottnest Island with this itinerary of the best spots to visit!
Find out other great things to do in and around Western Australia’s capital city with our guide to unique things to do in Perth!
How to get to Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island Day Trip From Fremantle
The main way to get to Rottnest Island is by ferry, with daily departures from both Fremantle and Perth. It’s cheaper and quicker to get the ferry to Rottnest Island from Fremantle, with same day return ferry tickets costing just $79 AUD and the journey taking around 30 minutes each-way. Ferries can be booked online through Get Your Guide, and it’s worth booking in advance as tickets do sometimes sell out.
Click here to book your ferry tickets from Fremantle on the Get Your Guide website!
Rottnest Island Day Trip From Perth
Alternatively, if you want to take the ferry from Perth the journey takes around 90 minutes and costs $119 AUD per person. Ferries depart from the Barrack Street Jetty in the CBD, and cruise along the Swan River before sailing over to Rottnest. These ferries also regularly sell out, so we recommend booking now to ensure your preferred date!
Click here to book ferry tickets from Perth CBD on the Get Your Guide website!
For more information on getting there, make sure to check out our guide of how to get to Rottnest Island, covering ferry times, a variety of package options, and even seaplane trips to the island!
How to get around Rottnest Island
The three main ways to get around Rottnest Island are on foot, by bike, or by bus. For the purpose of this Rottnest Island itinerary you will need to rent a bike or take the bus, as there isn’t enough time to see everything if you opt to walk.
Arguably the most convenient way to get around the island is to rent a bike, as that way you can go at your own pace and won’t have to spend time waiting for buses between different points on the island. It costs just $30 AUD to rent a bike for the day on Rottnest, and the roads are well paved for cycling – making it a lovely way to see the island. There are also plenty of bike racks near the main attractions to lock up your bike whilst you explore.
Get Your Guide offer a convenient package where you can book a return ferry ticket plus bike hire for a day trip to Rottnest Island for $125 AUD per person from Fremantle or $150 AUD per person from Perth. This option is a great time saver as you don’t need to arrange rental once you get to the island, and can simply pick up your bike and be on your way.
Click here to book bike hire and return ferry tickets from Fremantle with Get Your Guide!
If you want to depart from Perth CBD then click here to book bike hire and return ferry tickets from Perth through Get Your Guide!
If you don’t fancy cycling around the island then the best alternative is to take the hop-on-hop-off bus. This bus service costs $25 AUD and makes 19 stops around the island, with departures every half an hour.
Although there are 19 stops, you won’t have enough time to visit them all in one day via bus – so you need to prioritise which stops you want to visit. Thankfully, this itinerary covers the best places to visit on Rottnest Island – so you know exactly where to get on and off the bus!
The main disadvantage of taking the bus is that you can end up waiting quite a while for a bus to take you to your next stop. In some instances there isn’t enough space for everyone waiting for the bus, which means you have to wait another half an hour before your next chance of a lift to your next stop.
It is a convenient way to get around, but considering the cost there probably should be more regular buses. We did take the bus ourselves, but ended up walking at points as we got fed up of waiting for the next bus!
Click here to find out more about the island’s hop-on-hop-off bus service!
Rottnest Island Day Trip Itinerary
Thomson Bay
The ferries to Rottnest all arrive into the island’s main settlement at Thomson Bay, so kick off your day trip by exploring the town briefly. Wander along a few different streets, and it shouldn’t be long until you encounter one or more of the famous resident quokkas.
There are around 10,000 of these cute marsupials on Rottnest Island, but they’re easiest to see in and around the town. They are nocturnal animals by nature, but there tend to be quite a few awake during the day in the town. Outside of the town it’s a lot less likely you will spot them, so make sure to take this chance to grab a few pictures!
If you want to find out more about the quokkas then head to the Rottnest Voluntary Guides Association. The guides here are extremely helpful and informative, and they run free tours to help you see some quokkas – which is useful if you’re struggling to find any!
One important thing to note is that you shouldn’t feed or touch quokkas. They’re very friendly and inquisitive animals, but it can be harmful to them if you touch or feed them – so make sure not to do this on your visit!
Although it can be tempting to stay with the cute quokkas for hours and hours, it’s best to not spend too long here as there’s lots more to see on the island. There are some restaurants and cafes in the town, as well as a few shops and a bakery if you want to get any drinks or snacks to take with you. We recommend getting some water if you don’t already have some, as there are very limited places to get water or food around the island.
Parker Point
Once you’ve left Thomson Bay, the next stop on your Rottnest itinerary is Parker Point. If you’ve rented a bike it’s around a 20-25 minute ride (5 kilometres) via the coastal route, or if you’ve opted for the bus then it’s stop number 5.
Parker Point is home to a lovely beach with stunning blue waters, and is the first snorkelling spot on your day trip to Rottnest Island. Access to the beach is via a set of stairs, so it may not be accessible if you have mobility issues. Thankfully you can still get lovely views of the stunning water from above, although it’s probably only worth stopping here if you do go down to the beach.
The main reason to stop here is to explore the Parker Point Marine Sanctuary Zone, which is home to some brilliant snorkelling just off from the shore. Parker Point boasts a biodiverse habitat and abundance of marine life amongst its extensive coral reef.
It’s a little swim out from shore to reach the best snorkelling here, but it’s not too far to swim from the beach. The visibility at Parker Point is extremely good, and you will have the possibility to see lots of colourful fish and even turtles, lobsters, crabs, and stingrays with a bit of luck!
If you’re extremely lucky, you may even be able to see dolphins whilst snorkelling at Parker Point. We saw two dolphins as we were snorkelling, but only managed to see them jumping out of the water a short distance from us. Even though we couldn’t see them underwater, it was still an amazing encounter – so you might get lucky too!
For more information on snorkelling at Parker Point, make sure to read our guide to the best places to snorkel on Rottnest Island – which also covers your next stop, Little Salmon Bay, and your final stop, The Basin.
When you’ve finished snorkelling and dried off, it’s time to head to Little Salmon Bay. It only takes a few minutes from Parker Point to Little Salmon Bay by bike, but if you’re travelling by bus you will need to wait until the next scheduled departure. Alternatively, it’s a 10 minute walk between the two which will save you having to wait for a bus.
Little Salmon Bay
Little Salmon Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches on Rottnest Island, and is bound to be a highlight of your day trip itinerary. It’s located on the south side of the island by bus stop number 6.
This picturesque cove is home to stunning turquoise water and pristine white sand, making it a perfect place to relax. If you’re coming to Rottnest in search of beaches, it doesn’t get much better than this!
In addition to its beauty, Little Salmon Bay is another great spot to go snorkelling. The Little Salmon Bay snorkel trail covers around 700 meters, giving you the opportunity to see an array of marine life – including lobsters, octopuses, and eagle rays.
Along the snorkel trail you will pass a variety of different underwater habitats, including rocky reefs, limestone formations and seagrass meadows. The visibility is wonderful too, which makes it easy to spot plenty of colourful fish and amazing marine life as you snorkel.
This definitely ranks as one of our favourite places to visit on Rottnest Island, thanks to its incredible natural beauty. It’s a popular spot to visit, so it can get quite busy – but that’s only because its one of the most pristine spots on the island!
West End
Next on your Rottnest day trip itinerary is a visit to the island’s West End. The landscape is quite different in this part of the island, thanks to its rugged coastline and cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean.
One of the best ways to see this part of the island is by hiking the Ngank Wen Bidi loop, which covers almost 8 kilometres. It’s a tight squeeze to fit this hike into you Rottnest day trip, but if you manage your time well then it is possible!
Thankfully, it’s also possible to discover West End without doing the hike. Bus stop 11 is located near the tip of West End, and there are some bike racks in the area to store your bike.
The bus stop is located roughly in between the Cathedral Rocks viewing platform and Cape Vlamingh viewing platform – both of which are great spots to visit. These viewing platforms give you stunning views of the vast Indian Ocean and interesting rock formations, as well as offering the chance to see fur seals and dolphins. It’s even possible to see migrating humpback whales between late August and November if you’re lucky!
West End is one of the quieter spots on Rottnest Island, with many people missing it out from their itinerary. It’s a beautiful and more secluded spot to visit, so it’s well worth including on your trip!
The Basin
Finish your day trip itinerary to Rottnest Island with a visit to The Basin – one of the island’s most popular beaches. It’s easily accessible by bike, but if you’re taking the bus you will need to get off at Geordie Bay and walk from there. If you don’t fancy the walk then you can always opt to visit the Geordie Bay beach or the secluded Little Parakeet Bay.
The Basin itself is home to soft white sand and sparking blue water that will make you want to jump right in! It’s a great place to relax near to the end of your Rottnest Island itinerary, whether you’re looking to sunbathe or go for a dip in the sea.
As well as being a beautiful beach, The Basin is also an incredible snorkelling spot. It’s home to huge schools of fish, which can be seen just a few metres from shore. The Leeuwin Current surrounds the island and is one of the reasons for the incredible marine life found at this spot.
Facilities at The Basin include BBQs, toilets, and outdoor showers – which are great for getting sand off when you’re leaving the beach. Most of the other beaches on Rottnest don’t have facilities, so it’s a welcome change and a convenient place to get sand off before you leave the island.
It’s a short cycle or around a 10-minute walk from The Basin back to the main settlement at Thomson Bay. There should still be time to have see a few more quokkas depending on when your ferry leaves, and we saw plenty on the short walk back into town. It’s easier to find some quokkas to yourself here, as most people tend to see them in the town – but please remember not to feed or touch them!
If you get back to the town before 5pm then we suggest that you get a treat from the Rottnest Bakery to keep you going until dinner. They even have ‘quokka’ tarts – custard tarts with a quokka design on them! The ferries depart from where you were dropped off, so make sure to be there in plenty of time to make sure you don’t miss your departure!
Tips for your Rottnest Island day trip itinerary
Choose a Clear Day: Rottnest Island’s beauty is best enjoyed on a clear day when the sun casts a radiant glow on its pristine beaches and sparkling waters. Clear skies also ensure better visibility for snorkelling, photography, and wildlife spotting.
Stay Hydrated and Protected: The Australian sun can be intense, especially on an island with limited shade. Carrying plenty of water is essential to stay hydrated throughout your adventure. Dehydration can quickly dampen the experience, so regular water intake is key. Along with water, bring a high SPF sun cream. Sunburn can occur surprisingly quickly, even on cloudy days, so reapply sun cream regularly on your day trip in Rottnest Island.
Arrive Early: To truly embrace all that Rottnest Island has to offer, aim to arrive early. Catching the first ferry of the day gives you a full day to explore the island’s diverse offerings. Early arrival means quieter times at popular spots, a better chance of interacting with the friendly quokkas, and more time to enjoy activities like biking, swimming, and exploring the island’s historical sites. With fewer crowds, you can soak in the serene beauty of the island and find your own little piece of paradise.
Looking for more beautiful places to visit in Western Australia? Check out the best things to do in Esperance and the best places to stay in Esperance.
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