How to Plan the Perfect Rottnest Island Day Trip
Quokkas get all the credit for Rottnest Island day trips, and fair enough. They are ridiculous little animals and seeing one up close is reason enough to go. But a day on Rottnest takes a bit of planning. You need to pick a ferry, sort out how you will get around, and decide what to fit into your hours on the island. This guide covers all of it, including a simple one day itinerary and what it will cost you.
Wardan Nara Bidi, the indigenous name for the island, offers a lot more than just running around looking for little animals.
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Can You Do Rottnest Island in a Day?
Yes, easily. Most visitors do Rottnest as a day trip, and the short ferry ride is what makes it work. From Fremantle you are on the island in about 25 minutes. From Hillarys it takes around 45 minutes, and from Perth city about 90 minutes.
The island itself is small. It runs 11km end to end and is 4.5km at its widest point, which is why bikes are the standard way to get around.
To make a day trip count, catch an early ferry and book the last one home. That gives you six to eight hours, which is enough for a swim, a snorkel, lunch and plenty of quokka time. If you only arrive at midday, you will spend your visit watching the clock.
Is it worth it? If you want quokkas, that answer is obvious. But the beaches are the part that surprises people, and they alone justify the ferry fare.
A Simple One Day Rottnest Itinerary
This plan assumes you catch an early ferry from Fremantle and hire a bike. It keeps you on the eastern half of the island, which holds most of the swimming spots and all of the food. You will not see everything. That is fine. A relaxed day beats a rushed lap of the island every time.
8.00am: Ferry from Fremantle. Book bike hire with your ferry ticket so it is waiting when you land.
8.30am: Arrive at Thomson Bay. Grab a coffee at the settlement before you set off. This is also prime quokka territory, so your first sighting will probably happen before you even find your bike.
9.00am: The Basin and Pinky Beach. Both are a short ride north of the settlement. The Basin is a natural swimming pool ringed by reef and it gets busy by late morning, so going early is the trick.
10.30am: Ride the southern coast. Follow the road towards Henrietta Rocks, Porpoise Bay and Parker Point. Little Salmon Bay has a dedicated snorkel trail, and this stretch is the best snorkelling you can reach without serious pedalling.
12.30pm: Lunch back at the settlement. Options range from the bakery to a sit-down meal at Hotel Rottnest overlooking Thomson Bay. Book ahead in summer.
2.00pm: Pick your afternoon. Swim again, ride the northern loop past Geordie Bay and the pink salt lakes, or just find a quokka and watch it do nothing. If you are fit and determined, Cathedral Rocks at the West End has viewing platforms where you can spot long-nosed fur seals, but it is a long ride and you will need to watch the clock.
4.30pm: Return your bike and catch the ferry. Leave a buffer. Bike return queues are real and the ferry will not wait.
What are the best things to see and do on Rottnest Island
There are things to do on Rottnest Island that will make everyone happy, from kids to adults. And it is close enough to the city that travelling there is a pleasure rather than a burden.
Look for Quokkas
Quokkas are adorable, smiley-faced creatures that will be a highlight on your Rottnest Island day trip. They are pretty brave and tame, so they will turn up all over the island. This includes at the supermarket, in pubs, and on the beach.
Just remember that they are wild animals, and you should never touch or feed the quokkas, no matter how cute they are. They really do not enjoy selfies either, so resist the urge!
Find a few of the 63 Beaches
Rottnest Island has 63 beaches for you to explore, as well as a vast range of activities you can do there. Try snorkelling at Little Salmon Bay or Parker Point; either are good choices.
Take a trip in the glass-bottomed underwater sub explorer if you do not enjoy snorkelling, or swim at the popular beaches at the Basin, Pinky Beach, Salmon Bay, or Little Armstrong Bay.
Try Skydiving
If you are a thrill-seeker, go skydiving and see Rottnest from above. This makes a great birthday or special occasion surprise!
If like me you are not quite brave enough to skydive yet, there are also scenic flights. Same view, less anxiety!
Do some whale watching
Whale season runs roughly June to December, with the migration at its peak from August. You can join a tour to see whales moving along the coast, or watch for them from the viewing platforms at the West End.
Take a walk
The Wadjemup Bidi Trails are some of the most popular things to do on Rottnest Island. This network of trails explores the best that Rottnest offers as an A-Class Nature Reserve, including beaches, bays, flora, and fauna.
Many of the landmarks along the way are culturally significant to the local Indigenous people and environmentally significant.
There are five main sections to the trail:
- Wardan Nara Bidi, which is 10km long and takes in the WWII relics on the island
- Ngank Yira Bidi, which is 9.4km long and travels from Thomson Bay to Oliver Hill
- Karlinyah Bidi, a shorter trail at 5.9km that travels along beaches
- Gabbi Karniny Bidi, a 9.7km loop from Thomson Bay
- Ngank Wen Bidi, a 7.6km trail that will take you past the best spots for seeing marine life
These are just some of the things you can do on a Rottnest Island day trip. So, decide what you would like to do and get out there to have some fun!
How to Get to Rottnest Island
The first thing you need to do when planning a Rottnest day trip is to book your transport to the island. Rottnest Island sits 19km off the coast from Fremantle and can be reached by ferry or tour.
Ferries depart from Fremantle, Hillarys Boat Harbour, and Perth City. The trip takes about 25 minutes from Fremantle, 45 minutes from Hillarys, and 90 minutes from Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty.
You can purchase combined ferry and Rottnest Island ferry tickets online or buy a ferry ticket and pay your park entry on arrival.
There are several ferry companies you can go with, including:
Each of these companies offers you the chance to package other tours and experiences at the same time. They also provide safe, comfortable, and modern ferries.
While you’re planning, keep these Rottnest ferry tips in mind:
Book your ferry a few days ahead of time in the peak season. If you get seasick, sit on the bottom deck; it is usually less bumpy there. Or try to stay outside. Every visitor pays an island admission fee, but if you arrive by ferry it is built into your ticket price, so there is nothing extra to pay on arrival.
How to get around Rottnest Island
There are roads on Rottnest Island, but no cars, so you will have to think about your transport options once you get there. Here is what is available.
Ride a Bike
Bikes are the most popular way to get around. You can bring your own on the ferry for a freight fee, around $21 with Rottnest Express. If you do not have a bike, then you can hire one. Many ferry companies offer combination ferry and bike hire, so enquire before you book your ferry ticket.
Bike hire costs between $33 and $36 a day for adults depending on who you book with. If you arrive after lunch, Pedal and Flipper on the island drops its adult rate to $18 after 1pm. Please make sure you check your bike’s condition before you take it out. You do not want one that breaks halfway around the island. If you prefer, you can tour by Segway.
Rottnest Island Hop On Hop Off Bus
The hop on hop off bus is another popular way to see the island. The Island Explorer bus service stops at Rottnest’s best and most popular beaches and attractions.
Tickets are around $20 for adults and $15 for children, and it is well worth the price if you do not want to bike around. Book online in advance during peak periods, as the bus does fill up.
What to Bring to Rottnest Island
Pack light, because you will be carrying it all day or stuffing it in a bike basket. Here is what actually earns its place in the bag:
- Sun protection. The island has very little shade and you will be out in it for hours. A hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and a water bottle are essential.
- Swimmers and a towel. Even if you think you will not swim, you will. The beaches will talk you into it.
- A refillable water bottle. Riding in the sun is thirsty work and you will not always be near a shop.
- Snorkel gear if you have it. Little Salmon Bay has a marked snorkel trail. You can hire gear on the island, but bringing your own saves money and queue time.
- A light jacket outside summer. In autumn, winter and spring, pack a jumper and a rain jacket.
- Your phone, charged. It is your map, your camera and your ferry ticket.
What you can leave behind: a picnic for the whole day. The settlement has a bakery, a general store and several cafes, so you only need snacks for the ride.
Rottnest Island Day Tours
There are dozens of Rottnest tours and most of them blur together. The real decision is simple. Do you want someone to run your day, or do you just want the logistics bundled so you can do your own thing?
If you want a fully escorted day, these two are worth a look:
Rottnest Grand Island Package with Ferry, Tour and Light Lunch includes the SeaLink ferry from Perth or Fremantle, a four hour island tour taking in the quokkas and a ride on the historic train, plus a light lunch. See the full day’s schedule before you book.
Rottnest Luxe Island Seafood Cruise is for a splash-out occasion. Four hours on the water with lobster fishing, a seven course seafood menu and the drinks included. It leaves from Rottnest itself, so book your ferry separately, and it only runs November to April.
If you prefer to be independent, these packages bundle everything you need without a guide:
Rottnest Island Ferry and Bus Tour from Perth or Fremantle pairs your ferry with the hop on hop off bus, the easy option if cycling is not your thing.
Rottnest Island Ferry and Bike Day Tour from Fremantle gets you a return ferry with a bike waiting at the jetty. Add a snorkel set and you have everything a day on the island needs.
Most of these tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, which matters on an island day trip. Check the policy when you book, then keep an eye on the forecast.
If you are looking to get out of Perth for the day, a Rottnest Island day trip is the obvious choice. The ferry is short, the beaches are better than they have any right to be, and there is a quokka with your name on it.
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