Rottnest Express Return - B Shed to Rottnest Island

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A same-day return ticket on the fast ferry to Rottnest Island from Fremantle's B Shed or Northport, about 30 minutes each way, or from Perth, about 1 hour 15 minutes each way, with the island admission fee already paid, so you can step off and spend the day cycling, snorkelling and looking for quokkas.

Includes

Return fast ferry to Rottnest Island, same day, from B Shed Fremantle, Northport or Barrack Street Jetty, Perth

Rottnest Island admission fee

Rottnest Express Return - B Shed to Rottnest Island

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

THE CROSSING

Your ticket covers the fast ferry out and back on the same day, from B Shed on Victoria Quay in Fremantle, from Northport at North 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 or Northport the crossing takes about 30 minutes. Small bags come on board with you; bikes and big luggage go in the hold.

A DAY ON WADJEMUP

Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) sits about 18 km off the coast, and de Vlamingh named it "rat's nest" in 1696 after mistaking its quokkas for giant rats. The island admission fee is already paid, so step off and go. There are no private cars, so most people ride: the loop road is about 22 km and mostly flat, an hour and a half to two hours on a bike with no stops. Hire one on the island or bring your own across. The main settlement at Thomson Bay holds the Quod, a prison for Aboriginal men from 1838 to 1931.

SNORKELLING, BEACHES AND QUOKKAS

The water around Rottnest is warmed by the Leeuwin Current, which carries tropical fish further south than you would expect. The Basin is a clear, reef-ringed pool close to the settlement. Little Salmon Bay and Parker Point on the south coast are sheltered snorkelling spots, and Parker Point has an underwater trail of plaques. Parakeet Bay in the north has white sand and turquoise water. Wherever you go, look for quokkas, about 10,000 of which live on the island. Watch them, but never touch or feed them.

THE FERRY HOME

When you're ready, head back to the jetty for your booked sailing to the mainland, the same day. Allow time to return any hired bike or snorkel gear first, and to be at the jetty before boarding closes.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: From Fremantle: B Shed ferry terminal, 1 Peter Hughes Drive, Victoria Quay, Fremantle, next to the Fremantle Passenger Terminal. Check in at least 30 minutes before boarding; final boarding is 5 minutes before departure. The terminal is under renovation, so allow extra time for parking and follow the signs. From Northport: Northport terminal, 1 Emma Place, Rous Head, North Fremantle, which can only be reached by car. From Perth: Pier 4, Barrack Street Jetty, Elizabeth Quay, in central Perth.
Duration: About 30 minutes each way from Fremantle or Northport, or about 1 hour 15 minutes each way from Perth, with the rest of the day on the island. Sailing times change with the season, so check yours when you book.
Minimum age: All ages. Children under 4 travel free if they don't take a seat; child fares cover 4 to 12 and youth fares 13 to 16.
Suits: Ferries from B Shed aren't wheelchair accessible because of a level change inside the boat, and ferries from Barrack Street aren't either, because of a bend in the gangway. Some sailings from Northport take manual and motorised wheelchairs, with priority boarding. Prams are welcome but must be folded before boarding. Service dogs travel free.
Please note: Bikes must be booked ahead and can be no taller than 1.3 m, longer than 1.8 m, wider than 45 cm or heavier than 22 kg; e-bike batteries must be removable. Children under 16 must snorkel with an adult.
Cancellation: Tickets aren't refunded, but cancelling more than an hour before departure gets a credit note for the full amount, valid for 12 months. Changes can be made up to an hour before departure, subject to space and a small fee.

What to bring

Your own bike if you like (book its place on the ferry in advance)

What is included

Return fast ferry to Rottnest Island, same day, from B Shed Fremantle, Northport or Barrack Street Jetty, Perth
Rottnest Island admission fee

Not included

Parking at Fremantle (very limited, long-term parking from about $12 a day)
Bike and snorkel hire on the island
Luggage storage on the island ($10 per item per day)
Food and drinks

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 4 reviews

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)

Always a great trip over and back from B Shed, with smooth sailing and polite, helpful staff. We'll be back next October for our yearly stay on the island.

Sandy Frame Verified· Travelled 19th October 2026

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(5/5)

Despite the upgrade works at B Shed, getting to Rottnest was straightforward. The luggage team were friendly and helpful and boarding and getting off went smoothly.

Karen Walsh Verified· Travelled 17th October 2026

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(5/5)

A smooth 30-minute ferry ride to Rottnest with comfy seats and drinks inside, though we sat outside in the breeze. I liked the hotel pick-up and that I could move my return trip earlier after booking.

Ling Verified· Travelled 21st September 2026

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(5/5)

We took the ferry from Northport to Rottnest and had an amazing day. On the way back we got off at the wrong stop, and Angus went out of his way to get us back to Northport and our cars.

Arun Kumar Verified· Travelled 18th September 2026

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