Sealink WA Rottnest Ferry & Discover Bus Tour Package

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A day trip from Fremantle to Rottnest Island with the late-morning guided bus tour: 90 minutes around the whole island in an air-conditioned coach, with a stop at the West End. The ferry and island admission fee are included, and the rest of the day is yours.

Days

Full day

Age

All ages

Group size

Shared ferry and bus tour

Start / finish

Fremantle / Rottnest Island / Fremantle

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Return ferry from Fremantle, air-conditioned island bus

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Sealink WA Rottnest Discover Bus Tour Package (Morning) – Fremantle

View map

Included experiences

Island bus tour — 90 minutes around the whole island with a guide
Cape Vlamingh — short walk at the West End, whales in season
Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks and the salt lakes — seen from the bus
Thomson Bay — free time for a swim, lunch and quokkas

Sealink WA Rottnest Bayseeker Package (10:45am)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: THE FERRY TO ROTTNEST

Your day starts with the ferry, either the half-hour crossing from B Shed in Fremantle or the cruise down the Swan River from Perth's Barrack Street Jetty with the captain's commentary. You land at Thomson Bay, the island's settlement. Rottnest Island, Wadjemup to the Noongar people, is a nature reserve about 11 km long with no private cars. Depending on the tour time in your booking, late morning or early afternoon, you have time to look around the settlement before or after the bus tour, and the quokkas are often close by.

THE ISLAND BUS TOUR

The tour leaves from the Main Bus Stop near the settlement in an air-conditioned coach, one of the few vehicles allowed on the island, for about 90 minutes. Your guide covers the plants, wildlife and colonial and maritime history as you go. Wadjemup Lighthouse has stood on the island's high point since 1896. Henrietta Rocks has a rusting wreck sitting on the reef close to shore, and the salt lakes inland are saltier than the sea and can turn pink. Woodland and beach slide past between them.

CAPE VLAMINGH AND THE NORTH COAST

The one stop is at Cape Vlamingh, the island's West End, named after the Dutch captain who landed in 1696 and took the quokkas for giant rats. You get off for a short walk and the views, out to Cathedral Rocks, where New Zealand fur seals haul out on the ledges. Ospreys are often overhead, bottlenose dolphins are regular, and whales are often seen offshore in season. The bus then comes back along the northern coastline to the settlement.

FREE TIME AND THE FERRY HOME

The rest of your time on the island is free for a swim at The Basin, a shallow reef pool close to the settlement, lunch in Thomson Bay or a walk along the bays. In the afternoon you catch the ferry back to Fremantle or up the river to Perth.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: B Shed ferry terminal, 1 Peter Hughes Drive, Victoria Quay, Fremantle, next to the passenger terminal and a short walk from Fremantle train station. Check in at least 30 minutes before sailing; boarding closes 5 minutes before departure. The terminal is being renovated, so allow extra time and follow the signs.
Departure time: The bus tour is the late-morning departure from the Main Bus Stop on the island. Ferry and tour times change with the season and are confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 7.5 hours from Fremantle and back; the bus tour itself is about 90 minutes.
Minimum age: All ages. Under 4s travel free if they don't take a seat; child fares cover 4 to 12 and youth fares 13 to 16.
Suits: Anyone who wants to see the whole island without cycling. B Shed sailings aren't wheelchair accessible because of a level change inside the boat; the bus can take a wheelchair if seats are removed, which needs arranging when you book.

What to bring

Water
Sunscreen
Swimwear and a towel

What is included

Return ferry, B Shed Fremantle to Rottnest Island, same day
90-minute guided island bus tour
Rottnest Island admission fee

Not included

Lunch, food and drinks
Bike and snorkel hire
Parking in Fremantle

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

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.

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 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

4.0

Based on 2 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.

(4/5)

“Interesting but too long to wait for the return trip.”

I enjoyed the tour, which was informative, welcoming and thorough. The return trip wasn't until 4.30pm, though, and after lunch there wasn't much to fill my time.

Global819189 Verified· Travelled 1st May 2026

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(4/5)

“Visit to Rottnest”

An interesting place, though very touristy, and the quokkas we saw were the ones people keep feeding. The bus tour around the island was informative, but there were only two short stops, with no chance to walk or swim, and the commentary felt a bit dated. A slick operation and a unique experience.

Cheryl C Verified· Travelled 1st April 2026

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