Fast Ferry, Free Hillarys Parking

Rottnest Island Roundtrip Fast Ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour is run by Rottnest Fast Ferries and runs a full day, rated 4.7 across 128 reviews and from A$95 per person, AUD. The return fare covers the island admission fee, so there is nothing extra to pay on arrival. Free cancellation applies.

Overview

This is a roundtrip fast ferry crossing from Hillarys Boat Harbour to Rottnest Island, run by Rottnest Fast Ferries, and it is sold as a full day out rather than a guided tour. You board at the terminal on Southside Drive, sail across the Indian Ocean, and then the island is yours. There is no set itinerary once you land, which is the main appeal for travellers who want to build their own day.

On the island you can stay near the settlement, walk out to the Wadjemup Lighthouse for the views, hire a bike and cover more ground, or settle on a beach. Reviewers mention the quokkas and the sandy beaches, and two of them recommend hiring an e-bike because parts of the island are hilly. A hop on hop off bus also runs, which one reviewer noted comes roughly every 20 minutes, though it is a separate cost.

The ticket covers the ferry both ways, all taxes and government landing fees, free parking at Hillarys, and, on request, return transfers from selected hotels. Food, drinks and optional activities are extra. It suits independent travellers, families with children, and anyone based in Perth wanting a straightforward day trip without organising a boat themselves. The vessel is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, and the trip runs with a maximum of 80 travellers.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Hillarys terminalCheck in at Shop 56 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour. Free parking is available if self-driving.
2. Hotel transfer, on requestReturn transfers from selected hotels can be arranged, as detailed at booking. One reviewer praised the bus pickup that took them to the harbour.
3. Fast ferry crossingThe high speed ferry sails from Hillarys across the Indian Ocean to Rottnest Island. Reviewers describe the crossing as quick, though it can be choppy depending on conditions.
4. Free day on the islandThere is no set itinerary. Options include exploring the car free island, walking to the Wadjemup Lighthouse, hiring a bike, or relaxing on the beaches, all at your own pace and cost.
5. Return ferry to HillarysWhen the day is done, head back to the jetty to catch the return ferry. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveller reviews, and they shape how the day goes.

• Seasickness prep. Two reviewers reported getting seasick on the crossing when the swell was up, one of them for the first time. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding rather than after. The ride is fast, but fast does not mean calm.
• Book bikes early. More than one reviewer flagged the island as hilly, and e-bikes were recommended for that reason. Bike hire is a separate cost from the ferry fare.
• Bring your own food. Food and drinks are not included in the fare, so budget for lunch on the island or pack your own. Either way, plan for a full day away from the harbour.
• Layer up. One reviewer found the ferry cabin cold on a sunny July morning, so bring something warm for the crossing even if the day looks fine.
• Punctual service. Transfers and departures were described as punctual in both directions by several reviewers. The trip is a full day, so plan the day around the return sailing.
• Kids and quokkas. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and infants sit on laps. The quokkas, which reviewers describe as everywhere and friendly, were a highlight for many.

Common issues. The honest downside is the crossing itself. Weather matters in both directions: the operator requires good weather, and if the sailing is cancelled you are offered a different date or a full refund. Food, drinks and optional activities such as bike hire and the hop on hop off bus are not covered by the fare. The trip carries up to 80 travellers, so it is not a small group experience.

Planning Your Day