Rottnest Express ferry from Fremantle & Perth: Timetable & fares

If you want a scenic cruise, take the Rottnest Island ferry from Perth. The Rottnest Express departs from Barrack Street Jetty. For cheaper fares, a quicker journey and more time on the island, choose the Rottnest Island ferry from Fremantle.

Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth is one of the best islands in Australia for visitors. There’s a wealth of activities available, from Rottnest Island snorkelling tours to skydiving from 15,000ft onto a beach. It’s also the famous quokka island in Australia – cute little quokkas can be seen all over Rottnest.

But before you can enjoy Rottnest Island, you need to get there. For most, that will mean taking the Rottnest Island ferry from Perth or Fremantle.

Skip the detail and just book the Rottnest Express ferry.

Beach on Rottnest Island near Perth, Western Australia — Take the Rottnest Island ferry from Perth or Fremantle, and this sort of beach awaits. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Which Rottnest Island ferry?

When deciding which Rottnest Island ferry to book, remember that there are three departure points. The Sealink ferries depart earlier, the Rottnest Express ferries are the cheapest and the Rottnest Fast Ferries go from Perth’s northern suburbs where there’s free parking. For more information and booking, use the links below.

Rottnest Island ferry from Perth: Timetable

There are pros and cons to both Rottnest Express departure points. Rottnest Island is arguably the best day trip from Perth. And, if you’re staying in Perth CBD, the Rottnest Island ferry departure point is easy to reach.

The Rottnest Express leaves Perth from the Barrack Street Jetty, next to Elizabeth Quay. The Rottnest Island ferry from Perth takes two hours to reach Rottnest Island, and stops at Fremantle along the way.

The advantage to departing from Perth is that it becomes a Swan River cruise as well as transport to Rottnest Island. You get to admire the city and Kings Park along the way, hopefully spotting black swans and dolphins on the way to the Indian Ocean.

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 ferry from Perth: Fare prices

The downside is that departures are limited. Choose to take the Rottnest Express from Perth, and there’s usually only one departure per day. It leaves at 08.45, and you need to get the 16.00 ferry back.

The Rottnest Island ferry from Perth costs $113 return. Book online.

Things to book in Fremantle before you arrive

Your Rottnest Island ferry tickets and bike hire.
A best of Fremantle two hour walking tour.
Whale-watching cruise tickets.
A street art and beer tour.
A half day sailing cruise to Carnac Island.
A sunset sailing cruise.
A four venue Fremantle bar tour.

Rottnest Express from Fremantle: Fares and journey time

It is cheaper to take the Rottnest Express from Fremantle. The headline return fare on the Rottnest Island ferry from Fremantle is $79.

The journey is also shorter. The Fremantle to Rottnest Island ferry takes half an hour. There are more options for departure times, too. The smart move is to get the first ferry of the day at 07.30, then get on a bike and cycle part way round the island. This way you can get a beach to yourself before most of the other day trippers turn up. On weekends, the last ferry back from Rottnest Island leaves at 20.30, so you can truly make a day of it on Rottnest.

The Rottnest Express departs from the B Shed in Fremantle – a 10 minute walk from Fremantle Station. Bookings should be made online.

Where should I take the Rottnest Express from?

Take the Rottnest Express ferry from Perth for:

Convenient departure point.
A Swan River cruise on the way.

Take the Rottnest Express from Fremantle for:

A faster journey to Rottnest Island.
Cheaper fares.
Earlier departures
A wider range of departure and return times.

There is also a Rottnest Fast Ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour, but this takes longer.

Unusual Fremantle accommodation options include the Hougoumont Hotel and Fremantle Prison YHA.

Fremantle accommodation recommendations

The best Fremantle accommodation options are:

For distinctive character and a sense of history: Hougoumont Hotel.
For gorgeous apartments: West End Warehouse.
For location and cool factor: Warders Hotel Fremantle Markets.
For a decent pool: Pier 21 Apartmentment Hotel.
On a budget: Fremantle Prison YHA.

All prices are correct at time of writing but subject to change in future. It’s also possible to go camping on Rottnest Island.

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.