Day Trips

From Perth: Rottnest Island Return Ferry with Swan River Commentary

4.6/5(39)

Cynthia L

Solo

Verified booking

2 days ago

The boat ride is a great way to see Perth from the water and the bus tour with commentary is the best way to see the most of the island in comfort. We saw a Dugite on the road from the bus, humpback whales and incredible views. I highly recommend the tour.

Rocky H

Couple

Verified booking

5 days ago

Great customer service, easy to do business with. But more importantly a wonderful day of touring the island with easy transportation and good bikes for exploring and riding up and down the hills of rottnest island

Kathryn H

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

The stunningly beautiful sunny day, calm seas and laid back atmosphere amde for a great experince. We hired bikes and explored ourselves, then caught the tour bus which was lead by an amazingly informed young woman scientist come tour guide. And very impressed by the beaches, bush plants and quokkas of course.

Edna B

Couple

Verified booking

Aug 2026

The whole experience, from checking in for the ferry ride to Rottnest island, then the bus tour and finishing with the ferry ride back into Perth. The staff were polite and knowledgeable. The whole day was relaxed and we both enjoyed it immensely.

Smitha T

Family

Verified booking

Jul 2026

We had an absolutely fantastic experience! Everything was very well organised, with clear instructions and excellent communication throughout. The trip felt safe and enjoyable from start to finish. Meeting the quokkas was definitely a highlight, and Salmon Bay is an incredibly beautiful beach. The pedal bike and snorkel flipper hire made exploring the island even more enjoyable. The staff were very helpful, friendly, and approachable. I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Rottnest Island!

Manuela F

Group

Verified booking

Jul 2026

Loved the swan river commentary, allowed us to learn a lot about the swan river. There was sufficient time for us to visit the popular places around Rottnest Island. The bus tour was great too, the guide, Mark, knew a lot about the island and had cute dad jokes.

Explore Rottnest Island with round-trip ferry transfers from Fremantle, island entry, and up to 7 hours of self-guided exploration.

Enjoy up-close quokka encounters at Thomson Bay and cool off in The Basin before crowds arrive.

Take in Rottnest Island from Wadjemup Lighthouse, then learn history at Oliver Hill Battery with its tunnels and fortifications.

Upgrade your experience with bike hire to explore Rottnest at your own pace, or join the guided bus tour for wildlife and history.

Entry to Rottnest Island

Self-guided tour of Rottnest Island

Round-trip ferry transfers from Perth, including a scenic Swan River cruise with commentary

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
Start point
Perth
Get direction
1 hr 30 min
1. Rottnest Island
Tickets included
7 hr 30 min
6 attractions
Photo stop & Sightseeing
Go at your own pace and explore this beautiful island. There is a lot to do on the Island - Swim in the basin (most popular beach), Explore the historic shipwreck at Henrietta Rocks which is a perfect snorkeling spot, Checkout the iconic Bathhurst lighthouse and so much more.
Highlights
Ricey Beach
Quokka Spotting
Shipwrecks at Henrietta Rocks
Salmon Bay
Strickland Bay
Wadjemup Lighthouse
End point
Perth
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

39 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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Guests from United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and over 9 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Kathryn H
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The stunningly beautiful sunny day, calm seas and laid back atmosphere amde for a great experince. We hired bikes and explored ourselves, then caught the tour bus which was lead by an amazingly informed young woman scientist come tour guide. And very impressed by the beaches, bush plants and quokkas of course.
Cynthia L
Solo
Verified booking
2 days ago
The boat ride is a great way to see Perth from the water and the bus tour with commentary is the best way to see the most of the island in comfort. We saw a Dugite on the road from the bus, humpback whales and incredible views. I highly recommend the tour.
Rocky H
Couple
Verified booking
5 days ago
Great customer service, easy to do business with. But more importantly a wonderful day of touring the island with easy transportation and good bikes for exploring and riding up and down the hills of rottnest island
Teena R
Solo
Verified booking
Yesterday
What an amazing tour. Easy from booking to biking to disembarking. Friendly staff, good amenities. Really couldn't fault it.
Yvonne L
Couple
Verified booking
2 days ago
Rottnest was very enjoyable. I will be telling all my friends and family how great it is, especially the Quakkas, so cute.

Kick off your Rottnest adventure from Perth with a ferry ride along the Swan River, then spend the day exploring at your own pace with optional bike hire or on a guided bus tour, spotting wildlife and historic sites.

Getting started

Your ticket includes round-trip ferry transfers from Perth, featuring a scenic Swan River cruise with commentary, and entry to Rottnest Island. Arrive 30 minutes early at Barrack Street Jetty to check in and prepare for a day of adventure, whether on a self-guided tour with cycling or a guided bus tour.

What to expect

Quokka encounters: Stroll through Thomson Bay and meet the island’s famously friendly quokkas, perfect for photos and up-close wildlife experiences.

The Basin: Swim or unwind at this natural pool, known for its clear, calm waters, best in the morning.

Wadjemup Lighthouse: Climb to the top for sweeping views of the island and surrounding ocean.

Historic sites: Visit Oliver Hill Battery with its WWII tunnels, stroll past Pinky Beach, and see Bathurst Lighthouse for breathtaking views.

Other must-see spots: See quiet coves like Parakeet Bay, explore Strickland Bay’s rock formations, or enjoy elevated views from Radar Hill and Geordie Bay.

Cycling adventures: If selected, guests can explore the island at their own pace along scenic coastal and inland routes, with helmets and locks included.

Guided option: Opt for a 1-hour 45-minute air-conditioned bus tour with live commentary, highlighting hidden corners, wildlife, and the island’s history.

What to bring

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

What's not allowed

Carry-on items are allowed if they fit on your seat without taking extra space. For safety, luggage cannot block aisles, wheelchair spaces, or exits.

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: Rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore Rottnest Island’s calm bays and crystal-clear waters from Thomson Bay, making it a fun and active way to see marine life and hidden beaches.

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 shortly.

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

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.