Ferries to Rottnest Island

The ferry port of Rottnest Island lies on Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia. From here you can reach 4 destinations, among them Fremantle, Hillarys and North Fremantle. Together the routes add up to as many as 28 departures a day. Crossings take between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours. The port is served by Rottnest Express, Rottnest Fast Ferries and Sealink Rottnest.

Getting there and the terminal

All ferries tie up in Thomson Bay, a bay sheltered to the north-east towards the mainland. The island's only sizeable settlement lies there too, a few hundred metres from the jetty, with the visitor centre just behind it. Rottnest lies 18 kilometres west of Fremantle. Private cars are not permitted; you get around on foot, by bike or on the island bus.

On the mainland the departures are spread across several terminals. Rottnest Express sails from B Shed in Fremantle, from Northport at Rous Head and from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth; B Shed is currently being rebuilt, and access and parking there are restricted. Rottnest Fast Ferries starts from Hillarys Boat Harbour, 56 Southside Drive.

Check-in

The strictest requirement comes from Rottnest Fast Ferries: be at the terminal 60 minutes before departure. Boarding there starts 30 minutes beforehand and ends 10 minutes before departure. Rottnest Express requires at least 30 minutes' lead time for parking, baggage and ticket collection; if you have only hand luggage and a digital ticket, you can go straight to the gate. Final boarding there is 5 minutes before departure, after which the gangways are pulled in.