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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

Book now, pay later

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

Guided tour

Transfers available

4.7/5(132)

Darryl B

Family
Verified booking
Last week
Pleasantly surprised by the size of the island. We took the bayseeker tour which was fantastic very scenic and the guide's knowledge was very extensive and very accommodating with photo stops. We saw quite a few kwokkas which were very cute. We enjoyed the whole experience a great day we are visting from Brisbane and will recommend it to anyone we know coming to Perth.

Wilhelmina P

Couple
Verified booking
May 2026
From start to finish the day was great .. the ferry was very well organised and staff were great .. the island was clean and looked beautiful from everywhere we went staff were also helpful.. we had no issues from the ferry to the bike hire to the shops to even finding a good shady spot for lunch .. had a great day

Lesley V

Family
Verified booking
May 2026
I loved how much knowledge Kevin our driver had about the island. Very interesting. Last time my husnand and I were there was January 1981! We are from Ipswich Qld.

Kirsty S

Group
Verified booking
May 2026
Beautiful island , will go back.. loved the cycling exceot didn't expect so many hills. Would have liked the option of an e-bike for a fee. Definitely recommend a trip here

Linda M

Family
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Organised, great ferry, comfortable with all facilities. But can I please suggest that the safety video be louder in volume and also the videos showing how to use life jackets and hand rails in boat show ppl using them in and on the boat - for people with disabilities who use visuals to understand this can be confusing with someone jumping off a rock rather than a boat with a life jacket on?

Parmminder S

Family
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Excellent service from start to finish. The crew at Hillarys was very welcoming and the ferry was spacious and comfortable. Being able to park for free and enjoy a coffee at the harbor before boarding made the morning very relaxed. The return trip was just as smooth. I wouldn't use any other service to get to Rottnest
    • 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

    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
    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.

  • 132 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.

    106
    19
    5
    1
    1
    United Kingdom
    Switzerland
    Japan
    France
    India
    South Africa
    Malaysia
    Thailand
    New Zealand
    United States
    United Kingdom
    Switzerland
    Japan
    France
    India
    South Africa
    Malaysia
    Thailand
    New Zealand
    United States
    Guests from United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan and over 11 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Darryl B

    Family
    Verified booking
    Last week
    Pleasantly surprised by the size of the island. We took the bayseeker tour which was fantastic very scenic and the guide's knowledge was very extensive and very accommodating with photo stops. We saw quite a few kwokkas which were very cute. We enjoyed the whole experience a great day we are visting from Brisbane and will recommend it to anyone we know coming to Perth.

    Wilhelmina P

    Couple
    Verified booking
    May 2026
    From start to finish the day was great .. the ferry was very well organised and staff were great .. the island was clean and looked beautiful from everywhere we went staff were also helpful.. we had no issues from the ferry to the bike hire to the shops to even finding a good shady spot for lunch .. had a great day

    Kirsty S

    Group
    Verified booking
    May 2026
    Beautiful island , will go back.. loved the cycling exceot didn't expect so many hills. Would have liked the option of an e-bike for a fee. Definitely recommend a trip here

    Lesley V

    Family
    Verified booking
    May 2026
    I loved how much knowledge Kevin our driver had about the island. Very interesting. Last time my husnand and I were there was January 1981! We are from Ipswich Qld.

    Parmminder S

    Family
    Verified booking
    Apr 2026
    Excellent service from start to finish. The crew at Hillarys was very welcoming and the ferry was spacious and comfortable. Being able to park for free and enjoy a coffee at the harbor before boarding made the morning very relaxed. The return trip was just as smooth. I wouldn't use any other service to get to Rottnest
  • 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 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.

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