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Day Trips

From Hillarys: Rottnest Island Return Ferry

Tourists smiling with a quokka on Rottnest Island, bicycles and beach in background.
Woman and child cycling on a tree-lined path on Rottnest Island, Western Australia.
Tourists walking near a bus on Rottnest Island with coastal scenery in the background.
Lighthouse on Pink Beach, Rottnest Island, with clear blue water and sandy shore.

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start of your experience

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Guided tour

Transfers included

4.5/5

(64)

Gerarda Visser

Gerarda

Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
The guided tour was lovely, the bus driver was very informative. I was encouraged to use the app., which was not helpful at all. We were confused WHERE to catch the bus and WHAT TIME. There could be an improvement made. Even the info centre at the harbour gave poor directions. The ferry ride was good. We had a pleasant day.
Paul Stephen Gabriel

Paul

Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Very smooth journey across to the island, and back. Lots of time to explore on our own and friendly staff that pointed us in the right direction for the bus tour. The driver was informative, knowledgeable and very affable, a delight. We were given lots of facts but in a fun way.
Katherine Guild

Katherine

Jun 2025
Verified booking
5/5
What a fantastic day we had, weather was amazing and Rottnest Island is beautiful and full of history. The fast ferry from Hilary's Boat Harbour was a great trip, and our tour guide "Robbo" was so knowledgeable and funny. This tour was a great way to see the island.
    • Sail from Hillarys and enjoy Rottnest Island with round-trip ferry transfers, entry, and several hours to explore.

    • Meet friendly quokkas at Thomson Bay, then swim or relax at The Basin, best in the morning.

    • Ascend 38 m Wadjemup Lighthouse for panoramic vistas, then visit Oliver Hill Battery’s historic gun emplacements.

    • Choose bike hire or a guided bus tour to make the most of your Hillarys-to-Rottnest adventure.

    • Entry to Rottnest Island

    • Self-guided tour of Rottnest Island

    • Round-trip ferry transfers from Hillarys

    • Bike hire with helmet & security lock (as per option selected)

    • 1-hour 45-minute guided AC bus tour on Rottnest Island (as per option selected)

    • Live commentary (as per option selected)

  • Timeline
    Map
    25 min
    Rottnest Island

    1. Rottnest Island

    Tickets included
    7 hr 30 min
    6 attractions

    Highlights

    Ricey Beach
    Ricey Beach
    Get direction
    Quokka Spotting
    Quokka Spotting
    Get direction
    Shipwrecks at Henrietta Rocks
    Shipwrecks at Henrietta Rocks
    Get direction
    Salmon Bay
    Salmon Bay
    Get direction
    Strickland Bay
    Strickland Bay
    Get direction
    Wadjemup Lighthouse
    Wadjemup Lighthouse
    Get direction
    Hillarys
    End point

    Hillarys

    Get direction

    Your ending point would be same as your start point

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 6 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • 4.5
    64 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.

    45
    12
    3
    1
    3

    What our guests say

    Gerarda Visser

    Gerarda

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    4/5
    The guided tour was lovely, the bus driver was very informative. I was encouraged to use the app., which was not helpful at all. We were confused WHERE to catch the bus and WHAT TIME. There could be an improvement made. Even the info centre at the harbour gave poor directions. The ferry ride was good. We had a pleasant day.
    Paul Stephen Gabriel

    Paul

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Very smooth journey across to the island, and back. Lots of time to explore on our own and friendly staff that pointed us in the right direction for the bus tour. The driver was informative, knowledgeable and very affable, a delight. We were given lots of facts but in a fun way.
    David Crighton

    David

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Rotnest island was amazing and a must do - our tour was great and very informative- the booking process was simple and the ferry ride very enjoyable- definitely recommend
    Axel Jacobo Arenas Caldera

    Axel

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Exceptional day, I love the island, beautiful beaches and animals, I will go again
    Ashley Mills

    Ashley

    Sep 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Was such an amazing experience! The day was so nice, slightly on the colder side but the sun was still shinning and was not overly busy too. Loved it!
  • Set sail from Hillarys and enjoy a full day discovering Rottnest Island, its friendly quokkas, pristine beaches, and historic landmarks—your way.

    Getting started

    Your ticket includes round-trip ferry transfers from Hillarys and entry to Rottnest Island. Arrive 30 minutes early to check in and prepare for a day of exploration.

    What to expect

    • Quokkas up close: Explore Thomson Bay to spot these friendly marsupials, ideal for selfies and memorable wildlife encounters.

    • The Basin: Swim or simply relax at this iconic natural pool with calm, turquoise waters, best enjoyed in the morning.

    • Wadjemup Lighthouse: Climb to enjoy sweeping views of the coastline, ocean, and island landscapes, perfect for photography and nature lovers.

    • Historic highlights: Explore Oliver Hill Battery and its WWII tunnels, or take in scenic stops at Pinky Beach and Bathurst Lighthouse.

    • Cycle the island: If selected, hire a bike with helmet and lock to navigate coastal paths and hidden spots at your own pace.

    • Guided bus tour: If selected, experience a narrated 1-hour 45-minute tour in an air-conditioned bus, covering the island’s top attractions and hidden gems with live commentary.

  • What to bring

    • Bring along your swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, and water bottle.

    What's not allowed

    • Single pieces of luggage up to 22kg and no larger than 800mm x 500mm x 400mm can be stowed in the vessels’ luggage crates.

    • Single carry-on items must be no larger than 600mm x 400mm x 300mm.

    • Alcohol, weapons, drugs, drones, pets, smoking and furniture are not allowed onboard the ferry.

    Accessibility

    • The ferry is wheelchair accessible.

    • Rottnest Island is an A-Class reserve. So, it’s best to check directly with the island rangers for the most up-to-date advice on service dog access and allowances.

    Additional information

    • Practical tip: Bring a refillable water bottle and sunscreen as some stops like The Basin and Wadjemup Lighthouse have limited shade and kiosks, so staying hydrated and protected keeps your day comfortable.

    • Guests are required to pay an admission fee for Rottnest Island, which is included in your ferry fare at the time of booking. This helps support island conservation and facilities.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.

    • Please arrive at the boarding point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your cruise to avoid any delays.

    Boarding point

    • Board your ferry at Rottnest Fast Ferries.

    • Address: Shop/56 Southside Dr, Hillarys WA 6025, Australia.

    Get directions to the boarding point

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