Bus And Train Tour, Picnic Lunch

From Perth: Rottnest Island Grand Island Day Tour with Lunch is a full-day Rottnest Fast Ferries package rated 4.4 across 671 reviews, from A$199 per person in AUD. One fare covers the return ferry, island admission, a guided bus tour around the island, a ride on the historic train and a light picnic lunch. Free cancellation is included.

Overview

This full-day tour from Perth packs the ferry crossing, a historic train ride, a tunnels tour and a coach circuit of Rottnest Island into one booked package. The day starts at Hillarys Boat Harbour, north of Perth, with a fast ocean crossing to the island. Once ashore, the touring proper begins with a ride on the Captain Hussey train from the main settlement up to Oliver Hill, the island's highest point.

At Oliver Hill, a guided walk through the gun fortification and tunnels covers the island's war history. That section is the most demanding part of the day, with roughly 700 metres of walking and more than 240 uneven steps, and no chance to stop or turn back once inside. A light picnic lunch follows, then the rest of the island is covered by air-conditioned coach: Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, Jeannie's Lookout and the West End, where the long nosed fur seal colony lives at Cathedral Rocks. Guides also cover the island's natural habitats and its maritime and military past.

It suits travellers who want the island's headline sights in a single organised day without arranging ferries, entry fees or lunch separately. Hotel pickup from selected Perth, Northbridge and Scarborough hotels can be arranged if pre-booked, and the return ferry leaves the island at 4:00 PM.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupCourtesy pickup from selected Perth, Northbridge and Scarborough hotels is available on request and must be pre-booked. The operator confirms the location and time after booking.
2. Arrive at Hillarys Boat HarbourArriving at 9:00 AM is recommended for the 10:00 AM ferry departure, with some time to look around the harbour.
3. Ferry to Rottnest IslandA high-speed ferry makes the ocean crossing from Hillarys to the island.
4. Historic train to Oliver HillThe Captain Hussey train runs from the main settlement up to Oliver Hill, the island's highest point.
5. Guns and tunnels tourA guided tour of the Oliver Hill gun fortification and tunnels covers the island's war history. This section is physically demanding, with around 700 metres of walking and 240-plus uneven steps and no rest stops or backtracking once inside.
6. Picnic lunchA light picnic lunch is served at Oliver Hill before the coach portion of the day.
7. Island coach circuitAn air-conditioned coach visits Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, Jeannie's Lookout and the West End, home to the fur seal colony at Cathedral Rocks, with commentary on the island's habitats, history and planned developments.
8. Return ferryThe 4:00 PM ferry makes the 40-minute crossing back to Hillarys Boat Harbour, where the day started.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day actually runs, from the tunnels' physical demands to finding the train station on arrival.

• Fitness for tunnels. The Oliver Hill Guns and Tunnels section involves approximately 700 metres of walking and 240-plus uneven steps, described by the listing as the equivalent of an eight-storey climb. There are no rest stops and no backtracking once inside. Comfortable, closed shoes with grip matter more here than anywhere else on the island.
• Lunch is light. The included picnic lunch is light, as the listing describes it. Several reviewers enjoyed the lunch, and one described it as just the right size. Travellers with a bigger appetite should pack extra snacks.
• Allow time for the train. One reviewer found the signage on the island weak and needed extra time to find the train station, and the listing's review summary raises the same point about directions between ferry, train and bus. Building in buffer time after arrival helps.
• Children rules. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Carrying children is not permitted in the tunnels, except for small infants in baby carriers that leave the adult's hands free for the railings.
• Quokka time. Two or more reviewers mention ending the day with quokka photos. Keep a camera or phone handy, as several travellers described the quokka encounters as a highlight of their day.
• Getting to the harbour. Public transport runs to and from Hillarys Boat Harbour, and the listing points to the Transperth journey planner for timetables. Hotel pickup from Perth, Northbridge or Scarborough is the alternative, but it must be pre-booked rather than arranged on the day.

Common issues. One reviewer found the departure from Hillarys added travel time compared with Fremantle services, and one reviewer reported a choppy crossing that left a passenger queasy. One reviewer also flagged unclear signage for finding the train station, a point echoed in the listing's review summary about directions between ferry, train and bus.

Planning Your Day