Rottnest Island, called Wadjemup by the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, lies off the coast west of Fremantle and is the most popular day trip from Perth. The island is almost car-free, so visitors cycle, walk or ride the hop-on, hop-off bus between Thomson Bay and the beaches. It has dozens of beaches and bays, clear water for snorkelling, lighthouses and lookouts, and the quokka, a small wild marsupial that has made the island famous for its friendly face. Ferries run from Hillarys, Perth and Fremantle, and the crossing from Fremantle takes about 25 minutes. The island also has a serious history: it was a prison for Aboriginal men, and the Wadjemup Museum tells that story, which deserves time alongside the beaches.
What to do
Most day visitors hire a bike at Thomson Bay and ride toward the bays, stopping to swim or snorkel at places such as Parker Point, Geordie Bay, The Basin or Little Armstrong Bay. If you do not want to cycle the whole island, bike-and-bus options let you ride part of the way, leave the bike in a rack and catch the bus.
The West End lookouts at Cathedral Rocks and Cape Vlamingh are good for seals and ospreys, and Wadjemup Lighthouse offers guided tours. Quokkas are most active in the late afternoon, and they are wild, so watch from a distance and never feed or touch them.
Planning
The ticket is a round-trip ferry from Hillarys, with a ferry-only option and a ferry-plus-bike option, and the day runs a little over seven hours. Three operators serve the island, so compare timetables if you would rather leave from Perth or Fremantle, and head to the jetty about 15 minutes before departure. Fill your water bottle in the settlement because water points are limited farther out, and look out for the island train at crossings. Whales can be seen from the ferry from August to December, which makes spring a good time to go.
Fitting it in
A full day suits a first visit, and the island rewards an early start. A loop of about 22 km reaches the West End, while the Gabbi Karniny Bidi walking loop of 9.5 km passes the island's salt lakes and birdlife. Take swimwear, sun protection and a light jacket for the ferry. Plan to visit the Wadjemup Museum and the burial ground information near Thomson Bay with respect, since the island is deeply significant to Aboriginal communities today.
What to expect
The experience
A ferry day trip to a car-free island, explored by bike, on foot or by hop-on, hop-off bus, with swimming, snorkelling and wildlife.
Best time
Spring to autumn for swimming, and August to December if you hope to spot whales from the ferry.
How long
A full day, usually just over seven hours door to door from Hillarys.
Tips
Book a late return ferry, carry water, hire a bike early and keep a respectful distance from the quokkas.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want beaches, wildlife and an easy day out of the city.
- Families
- Older children enjoy cycling and snorkelling, and the bus makes the trip workable for younger ones.
- Couples
- Pick a quiet bay for a swim, then ride to the lighthouse lookout in the afternoon light.
- Pair with
- A Fremantle day before or after, since the ferries also leave from there.
- Time needed
- A full day, with an early start from Hillarys, Perth or Fremantle.
Good questions
How do I get to Rottnest Island?+
Ferries run from Hillarys, Perth and Fremantle, and three operators serve the island. The crossing from Fremantle takes about 25 minutes, and the ferries arrive at Thomson Bay.
Do I need to hire a bike?+
Not necessarily, because a hop-on, hop-off bus circles the island. Bikes are the most popular way to explore, and bike-and-bus packages let you cycle as far as you like and ride back.
When are quokkas most active?+
They are most active in the late afternoon and evening. They are wild animals, so observe them from a respectful distance and do not approach or feed them.
Can I see whales from the ferry?+
Whales are visible from the ferry from August to December, along with dolphins and seals. Sightings are never guaranteed, but spring is the best season.
Is there anything to learn about the island's history?+
Yes. Wadjemup is significant to the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, and it was a prison for Aboriginal men, where 369 prisoners died between 1831 and 1931. The Wadjemup Museum covers this history.
