Rottnest Express

Rottnest Express is one of the main ferry operators serving Rottnest Island, and it describes its history as 60 years of reliable service. It is part of the Journey Beyond group and sails from three locations in Fremantle and central Perth, including B Shed on Victoria Quay and the Northport ferry terminal. From Fremantle the crossing takes around half an hour, which makes a day trip to the island easy. The island admission fee is included in the ferry fare when you book.

Beyond the basic return ferry, the company sells packages that combine the crossing with things to do on the island. Bike hire and snorkel and flipper hire can be added, which suits the island well, as private cars are not allowed and cycling is the main way to get around. The Discover bus tour gives a guided overview of the island with both a driver and a guide on board, and an adventure boat tour heads out on the water around the coast. Accommodation packages are also available if you want to stay overnight.

Seasonal trips add variety. During the whale migration season the company runs whale watching adventures, including a 45-minute adventure boat trip from Rottnest and a two-hour cruise from Fremantle, and an Eco Express tour has been offered between September and November. Check the website for which tours are running when you visit. From Perth, the company also runs a Swan River cruise with guided commentary.

The ferries suit almost every traveller, from families and couples on a day out to cyclists and snorkellers who want to spend as much time as possible on the island. Day packages and accommodation packages make it simple to plan the whole trip in one booking.

Reservations and enquiries are handled by phone on 1300 467 688 or online, where the current timetable is published. On the island, Samphire Rottnest, with its Lontara restaurant, and the neighbouring Hotel Rottnest are a short walk along Thomson Bay from the main jetty for lunch or an overnight stay, and Wadjemup Lighthouse and the fur seal viewing platform at Cathedral Rocks are popular cycling destinations.