Just a 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland, Wadjemup / Rottnest Island is one of Perth’s best day trip locations. Home to pristine beaches, top snorkelling locations, and adorable quokkas, there are stacks of ways to spend a day on Rottnest Island. Check out our recommended itinerary to get the most from your day trip to Rotto.
1-Day trip Rottnest Island
Getting to Rottnest Island
Unlike many day trip destinations near Perth, you don’t need a car to get to Rottnest Island. Ferries depart from Fremantle or Barrack Street Jetty in Perth, with both locations easily accessible via public transport. The ferry from Fremantle takes about 30 minutes. From Perth, the journey takes about 90 minutes and includes a scenic cruise along the Swan River.
Ferries depart throughout the day, but to get the most out of your day, we recommend taking the 7:00 am ferry from Fremantle. Once you arrive, you’ll disembark at Thomson Bay, the main settlement on Rottnest Island.
Exploring the island by bike or bus
This one-day itinerary travels all the way around Rottnest Island and includes stops at some of the best locations on the island. The route can be done on a bicycle by following the Island Ride bike path (purple trail on the map). The trail is 22 kilometres in length and takes 3 – 5 hours. It's quite a hilly ride, so be prepared for your glutes to get a workout!
If riding around the island sounds like too much hard work, grab a ticket for the Island Explorer bus and hop on and off at the best spots. The bus stop numbers are marked in brackets in the itinerary.
7:00 am – depart Fremantle.
7:30 am – arrive on Rottnest Island. Grab your snorkel and bike hire as you disembark the ferry on the island. We recommend pre-booking bike and snorkel hire to ensure you don’t miss out.
8:00 am – Head over to the Rottnest Bakery for a coffee and pick up some lunch to have on the road. Once you’re all kitted up, you can start your adventure around the island! Begin by heading south along the purple bike trail toward Kingston Barracks. If you’re taking the Island Explorer, the first bus departs from the main bus stop (1) at 8:30 am.
10:00 am – As you cycle along the path, there are several stops you can make along the way. Check out the Shark shipwreck at Henrietta Rocks (3) and enjoy the views at Parker Point (5). Keep following the trail around to Little Salmon Bay (6) for the first swimming stop. Dive into the water and follow the Little Salmon snorkel trail, a series of 10 underwater plaques that provide insight into Rottnest Island’s marine environment.
11:00 am – Enjoy a snack on the sand at Little Salmon Bay before continuing the journey around the island. Hug the coast around Salmon Bay before making a detour to Wadjemup Lighthouse (8). Once you’re back on the coast, continue all the way to Strickland Bay (10), Rottnest Island’s best surfing spot. Watch the surfers in action from the shore or hit the waves yourself if you have a board.
12:00 pm – By now you will have worked up an appetite. Follow the cycle trail to the West End (11), where you can enjoy your packed lunch as you watch the long-nosed fur seals frolic at Cathedral Rocks. Forgot your lunch? Don’t worry! Lexi’s on Rotto offers takeaway food, coffee and cold drinks.
1:00 pm – We leave behind the West End and head towards the wild beaches of the north coast. This section of the path is quite hilly so stop at Stark Bay (14) or Ricey Beach (15) if you need a rest. Our last stop is Little Parakeet Bay (18), where you can snorkel the protected waters or relax on the secluded sandy beach.
3:00 pm – You’re on the home stretch! Follow the cycle path through the lakes and keep an eye out for quokkas and bird life along the way. You’ll arrive back in Thomson Bay, where you can enjoy a hard-earned drink at Hotel Rottnest before you board the ferry back to Fremantle.
4:00 pm – depart Rottnest Island to arrive in Fremantle at 4:30 pm.
Other ways to spend your day on Rottnest Island
If a full-day itinerary hopping from place to place sounds a bit too hectic, there are other ways to explore the island in one day.
Rottnest Island Experiences
Explore Rottnest Island while learning about its history, culture, and environment on a tour. The Rottnest Bayseeker and Grand Island tours will take you around the island in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus.
Exploring Rottnest Island on land is only half the story. Join a boat tour to delve into Rottnest Island’s stunning turquoise waters. Snorkelling tours take you to secluded bays to view the array of marine life beneath the waves. Or join the Luxe Seafood Cruise to dine on the delicious local seafood with a 7-course lunch onboard the Crusader III.
Scenic Flight
There is one quick way to view everything Rottnest Island has to offer – and that’s from the air! Enjoy unbeatable views with a scenic flight over the island. Flights last 20 minutes, leaving you plenty of time afterward to enjoy the best things about Rottnest Island from ground level.
Catch up on your history
While Rottnest Island is best known for its beaches and quokkas, you don’t have to be the outdoor type to enjoy a day on the island. Uncover Rottnest Island’s military history at Oliver Hill guns and tunnels. Enjoy the island’s best views from Wadjemup Lighthouse with a guided tour. Or explore the island’s history and enjoy contemporary exhibitions at the Wadjemup Museum.
What to bring on a day trip to Rottnest Island
Most of the shops and food stores are located at Thomson Bay so make sure you have these items before you set out around the island:
- Swimwear and towel
- Sun protection
- Wind jacket
- Water bottle and plenty of water
- Lunch and snacks
Whether you set out exploring around the island or chill out all day on the beach, it’s easy to enjoy a day on Rottnest Island. As you take the SeaLink ferry back to Fremantle, we guarantee you’ll already be planning your next trip.
