Day Trips

From Perth: Rottnest Island Return Ferry

Name: From Perth: Rottnest Island Return Ferry
Start: 2026-05-05T08:30:00
End: 2026-05-05T18:00:00
Location: Perth

Tourists walking near a bus on Rottnest Island with coastal scenery in the background.

Person with a bike on Rottnest Island overlooking the ocean during a guided bus tour.

People enjoying the sun and sea at Pinky Beach, Rottnest Island.

Tourists smiling with a quokka on Rottnest Island, bicycles and beach in background.

Duration

8 hr - 9 hr 45 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Transfers available

Take a day trip to Rottnest Island with return ferry transfers from Perth. Upgrade to include a bike rental on your day trip or a guided bus tour.

4.6/5(220)

David K

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

Fantastic trip down the Swan River from Perth's CBD to Rottnest via Fremantle. The commentary from the crew along the way was excellent and very informative for first time visitors to Perth. Rottnest itself was fab, so beautiful. We choose a 1.5 ht bus tour right around the island. The driver was fantastic and told us the history of the settlement, so worth the money for those of us who had only one day on the island. There are many nice places to stay on Rottnest from budget through to five star, it made me wish we had chosen to stay a while longer ourselves. The little Quokkas for which the island is famous were numerous around the village center. There are signs up not to feed them as our food makes them sick. All up a great day out on Rottnest, would thoroughly recommend the Sealink ferry from Perth CBD in combination with the bus tour of the island for those who only have one day. For those with more time on the island the hop on hop off buses might work well also.

Adam W

Group

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Great organisation of the trip, very cool experience at the island! Quokkas super nice and friendly. We managed to find sea lions, we rode through the whole island and did a bit of snorkeling!

Humiko B

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Our guide's knowledge about island was amazing. He took us to beautiful and significant spots, explained in details and answered all our questions: very satisfying.

John E

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Very comfortable seat. Terrific view out the window. Staff were polite courteous and knowledgeable. Overall a wonderful experience. Highly recommended.

Cheri G

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Overall it was a nice trip. We opted for the bus guided tour and did enjoy hearing the history and the fews stops we made. It might have been nice to do the hop on hop off bus in order to have more stops and more time to explore, but would have not had the chance to hear the history and tidbits about the island. The island has a few shops, decent food & drinks and plenty of Quokkas to see. My only complait is that there isn't an early afternoon boat back. If you are traveling from Perth, you are there for the full day leaving around 9am and not getting back until nearly 6pm.

Nadia B

Couple

Verified booking

Mar 2026

The staff were super helpful at the office by the meeting point. Cruise left on time, super informative journey by captain down the river. Took forever to get to Rottnest. Once there we enjoyed our bus tour. I wasn't feeling well so asked to return to Fremantle on an earlier cruise and staff obliged.

Experience a self-paced day tour with round-trip ferry transfers from Perth, allowing you to effortlessly access the captivating Rottnest Island adventure.

Delight in up to 7 hours exploring pristine beaches, historic landmarks, and vibrant wildlife, ensuring a memorable and relaxing island adventure.

Opt for the Ferry Transfers + Bike Hire variant to cycle across the island with a secure bike, complete with helmet and lock, enhancing your exploration.

Select the Ferry Transfers + Guided Bus Tour option for a 1-hour 45-minute AC bus ride with an English-speaking guide, unveiling hidden island gems today.

Relish the freedom to explore Rottnest Island at your own pace, with flexible transfers and options to customize your adventure exactly as you desire.

Self-paced day tour of Rottnest Island

Round-trip ferry transfers from Perth

Entry to Rottnest Island

Up to 7 hours to spend on the island

Bike hire with helmet & security lock (if option selected)

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

English-speaking guide (if option selected)

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

220 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.
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52
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Guests from United Kingdom, New Zealand, Austria and over 15 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
David K
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Fantastic trip down the Swan River from Perth's CBD to Rottnest via Fremantle. The commentary from the crew along the way was excellent and very informative for first time visitors to Perth. Rottnest itself was fab, so beautiful. We choose a 1.5 ht bus tour right around the island. The driver was fantastic and told us the history of the settlement, so worth the money for those of us who had only one day on the island. There are many nice places to stay on Rottnest from budget through to five star, it made me wish we had chosen to stay a while longer ourselves. The little Quokkas for which the island is famous were numerous around the village center. There are signs up not to feed them as our food makes them sick. All up a great day out on Rottnest, would thoroughly recommend the Sealink ferry from Perth CBD in combination with the bus tour of the island for those who only have one day. For those with more time on the island the hop on hop off buses might work well also.
Cheri G
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Overall it was a nice trip. We opted for the bus guided tour and did enjoy hearing the history and the fews stops we made. It might have been nice to do the hop on hop off bus in order to have more stops and more time to explore, but would have not had the chance to hear the history and tidbits about the island. The island has a few shops, decent food & drinks and plenty of Quokkas to see. My only complait is that there isn't an early afternoon boat back. If you are traveling from Perth, you are there for the full day leaving around 9am and not getting back until nearly 6pm.
Adam W
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Great organisation of the trip, very cool experience at the island! Quokkas super nice and friendly. We managed to find sea lions, we rode through the whole island and did a bit of snorkeling!
Humiko B
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Our guide's knowledge about island was amazing. He took us to beautiful and significant spots, explained in details and answered all our questions: very satisfying.
John E
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Very comfortable seat. Terrific view out the window. Staff were polite courteous and knowledgeable. Overall a wonderful experience. Highly recommended.

Begin your Rottnest Island adventure by boarding a comfortable ferry in Perth for a seamless round-trip transfer across sparkling blue waters. As you set sail, take in sweeping coastal views and anticipate a day of exploration on one of Australia’s most cherished island escapes. Upon arrival, the island’s relaxed ambiance invites you to design your day exactly as you please. Wander through picturesque coves and white-sand beaches, or delve into the island’s rich history and natural beauty at your own pace.

For the intrepid explorer, the option to hire a bike offers a liberating way to traverse winding paths and discover hidden corners, all while staying secure with a provided helmet and lock. Alternatively, those seeking a more curated experience can opt for the guided bus tour variant. In this mode, an English-speaking guide will lead you on a 1-hour 45-minute AC bus ride, sharing intriguing insights about Rottnest Island’s heritage, flora, and fauna.

No matter which variant you choose, you’ll enjoy up to 7 hours of freedom to relax, explore, and create unforgettable memories. As the day winds down, the return ferry journey offers time to reflect on the island’s charm before heading back to Perth, refreshed and inspired by your day on Rottnest Island.

Accessibility

Luggage storage facilities are available on the boat.

This experience is pram/stroller and wheelchair accessible.

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.

1 piece of luggage is permitted per person. Additional luggage will incur an excess luggage charge.

Additional information

Guide dogs are allowed onboard. However, as Rottnest Island is an A-Class reserve you should contact the rangers there for further advice on service dog allowance.

All passengers must arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure. If you are traveling with no luggage or freight and have e-tickets or QR codes, please make your way straight to the boarding gate. Final Boarding is 5 minutes before departure after which the vessel gangways are removed to ensure that the vessel departs by the stated time.

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 tour to avoid any delays.

Boarding point

Please check your final voucher for the boarding point details and specific instructions.