Rottnest Express Experience Rottnest with Bike Hire (ex B Shed)

Map View Full Details Reviews

A high-speed ferry from Fremantle's B Shed, or a Swan River cruise from Perth, takes you to Rottnest Island, where a bike and helmet are waiting on the jetty for a self-guided day around the car-free island. The ferry, bike hire and island admission fee are included.

Days

Full day, 6 to 8 hours

Group size

Self-guided day

Start / finish

Fremantle (B Shed) or Perth (Barrack Street Jetty) / Rottnest Island / your start

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Return high-speed ferry, then your own hire bike on the island

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Rottnest Express Experience Rottnest with Bike Hire (ex B Shed)

View map

Included experiences

Rottnest Island — ride the car-free loop road of about 22 km
The Basin and Little Salmon Bay — stop for a swim
Quokkas — see them in the wild, from a respectful distance
Island coast — watch for fur seals, dolphins and whales in season

Rottnest Express Experience Rottnest with Bike Hire (ex B Shed)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: THE FERRY ACROSS

Your day starts on the fast ferry, either from B Shed on Victoria Quay in Fremantle or from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth. Fremantle Harbour was opened in 1897 after the rock bar at the river mouth was blasted away. From Perth you first cruise down the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), named by Willem de Vlamingh in 1697 for its black swans. From Fremantle the crossing takes about 30 minutes, and your bike and helmet are waiting on the jetty when you step off.

ON YOUR BIKE: THE ISLAND LOOP

Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) sits about 18 km offshore, and de Vlamingh named it "rat's nest" in 1696, mistaking its quokkas for giant rats. There are no private cars here, only a few service vehicles and a tourist bus, so the roads are yours. The loop runs about 22 km, mostly flat, and takes an hour and a half to two hours to ride without stops. That leaves most of the day for the 63 beaches and 20 bays. The main settlement at Thomson Bay holds the Quod, a prison for Aboriginal men from 1838 to 1931.

BAYS, BEACHES AND QUOKKAS

The water is warmed by the Leeuwin Current, which brings tropical fish further south than you'd expect. The Basin, near the settlement, is a clear pool ringed by reef, and Little Salmon Bay on the south coast is sheltered and calm. Stop for a swim or a picnic, and watch for quokkas, about 10,000 of which live on the island; never touch or feed them. If you're lucky you may see fur seals or dolphins offshore, and humpback whales in spring. Food and water are sold only at Thomson Bay and Geordie Bay, so carry plenty.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO THE MAINLAND

Later in the day, ride back to the jetty. The crew load your bike on board, and the ferry has you back in Fremantle about half an hour later, or in Perth after the cruise back up the river.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: From Fremantle: Rottnest Express B Shed terminal, 1 Peter Hughes Drive, Victoria Quay, Fremantle, beside the passenger terminal and a short walk from Fremantle train station. Parking close by is limited and paid, and building works have changed the road access, so allow extra time and follow the signs. From Perth: Rottnest Express, Barrack Street Jetty (Pier 4), Elizabeth Quay. Elizabeth Quay train station is close by and the free Blue CAT bus stops at the jetty; parking in the city is tight.
Departure time: Check in at least 30 minutes before your sailing; boarding closes 5 minutes before departure. Sailing times change with the season, and yours are confirmed when you book.
Duration: A full day of 6 to 8 hours, including the ferry.
Suits: Anyone comfortable on a bike. Child bikes (20 inch wheels) suit ages 4 to 7 and adult bikes (26 inch) suit 14 and over; baby seats and child trailers are limited, so ask for one when you book.
Please note: Ferries from B Shed are not wheelchair accessible, as there is a change of level inside the boat, and the Perth ferry is not either, because of a bend in the gangway. Prams are welcome but must be folded before boarding. Hire bikes are push bikes only; electric bikes are not available.

What to bring

Water and lunch
Sunscreen
Swimwear and a towel
Camera

What is included

Return ferry to Rottnest Island from B Shed, Fremantle, or Barrack Street Jetty, Perth, with commentary on the Swan River leg from Perth
Full-day bike hire with a helmet and lock
Rottnest Island admission fee

Not included

Food and drink
Snorkel gear
Luggage storage on the island, behind the Visitor Centre ($10 per item per day)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

It's under ten minutes' walk from Fremantle Station to Victoria Quay, so arrive about 15 minutes early; the queue is long but moves fast and the ferry left on time. On the island, our bikes were handed over right at the ferry.

Syamimi Saifeni Verified· Travelled 20th September 2026

Read original ↗