Can I take a car on Rottnest Island? Rottnest driving permits

You can drive on Rottnest Island near Perth in very limited circumstances – cars are banned. Disabled visitors can hire petrol-powered golf carts, but no-one else is allowed to drive on Rottnest Island. Hire a bike instead.

While hardly an underrated tourist-free find, Rottnest Island is the best day trip from Perth in Western Australia. It has gained international attention due to quokkas selfies going viral, but it is ideally suited to active types. Covering 19 square kilometres, the infamous quokka island can be covered fairly easily on foot or Segway. It’s even better to explore by bike. You can do a lap of the island in around half a day. It’ll take longer if you stop off at the beaches and World War II sites, of course.

Little Parakeet Bay beach on Rottnest Island, Western Australia — Little Parakeet Bay is one of the many gorgeous beaches that help make Rottnest Island the best day trip from Perth. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions.

Driving on Rottnest Island, however is not allowed. For a start, good luck getting a car over there – the Rottnest Island ferries don’t carry them. Secondly, Rottnest Island is designated car-free.

8 Rottnest Island experiences best booked in advance

Ferry plus bike hire package. Or add a snorkel kit, too.
Short Settlement Segway tour or longer Fortress tour.
Island tour including train ride and lunch.
Sunset catamaran sailing cruise with champagne.
Oliver Hill train and tunnel tour.
Lakes and bays guided hike.
Tandem skydive.
Three hour boat tour to the best snorkelling spots.

Rottnest Island driving permits: Can you take a car on Rottnest Island?

It’s not entirely car-free, though. Driving on the island is possible if you’ve got a special permit. These are generally only given out if you need to drive there for work purposes. There are also bus tours available on the island, as well as shuttles heading to the airstrip for tandem skydiving experiences.

Obviously, this is not an ideal situation for those with limited mobility or disabilities. But some allowances have been made to make the island accessible. Firstly, there are wheelchair-compatible shuttle buses running from the main settlement to the ferries. Secondly, manual wheelchairs and electric scooters are available for hire.

5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special

Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.

Rottnest Island golf carts

Most hassle of all are the petrol-powered golf carts. These are available for visitors who are permanently confined to a wheelchair in the company of a carer. But they cannot be used within the settlement area or overnight. The carer must apply at least a week in advance for a permit to drive on Rottnest Island.

The Rottnest Island weather is usually at its best between October and April.

DON’T MISS OUT! 9 fabulous Perth experiences to book today ✅

✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package.
✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise.
✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience.
✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour.
✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise.
✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour.
✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour.
✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive.
✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour.