2-Hour Oliver Hill Train, No Ferry

The Oliver Hill Train & Tunnel Tour rides the Captain Hussey Historical Train from Thomson Bay to Oliver Hill, then gives you a guided look at the WWII gun battery and tunnels. Australian Pinnacle Tours runs the 2-hour experience, rated 4.6 across 35 reviews, from A$40 per person. Free cancellation applies, and the ferry to the island is booked separately.

Overview

The Captain Hussey train pulls out of the Settlement railway station and rolls through the island's interior toward Oliver Hill, with a guide giving live commentary along the way. Once at the hill, the visit shifts to the Oliver Hill Battery and its tunnel fortifications, part of the island's World War II defenses. The whole outing runs about 2 hours and finishes back at the station where it began.

This is the version without ferry transport, so it suits travellers who already have their Rottnest crossing sorted or who are staying on the island. It also suits anyone who wants the island's lesser-known history covered in a fun, easy way, as the listing puts it. Reviewers repeatedly praise the guides as knowledgeable, and several say the train ride alone is a pleasant way to see parts of the interior you would otherwise ride or walk past.

The one thing to weigh honestly is the tunnel section itself. It is a physically demanding 45 minutes with roughly 700 metres of walking and 240+ uneven steps, the equivalent of an 8-storey climb, with no rest stops and no backtracking once inside. Travellers with mobility issues, pregnant travellers and those with small children should read the fine print carefully before booking.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the stationMake your own way to the Rottnest Island Settlement Railway Station on Brand Way. There is no hotel pickup and no ferry transport included, so ferry tickets must be arranged separately with your preferred operator.
2. Train ride to Oliver HillBoard the Captain Hussey train for the ride through the island's interior, with live commentary along the route.
3. Oliver Hill Battery, 1 hourAdmission is included for the Guns and Tunnels tour at the battery. This is the physically demanding 45-minute tunnel section, with roughly 700 metres of walking and 240+ uneven steps.
4. Train back to the SettlementThe tour ends back at the meeting point at the railway station.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape whether this tour is a good fit, from the stair count inside the tunnels to what the ticket does and does not cover.

• Fitness and stairs. The tunnel section involves approximately 700 metres of walking and 240+ uneven steps, compared to an 8-storey climb, with no rest stops and no backtracking. The listing asks for a moderate physical fitness level, and anyone with mobility issues should think twice.
• Bring water and snacks. Drinks and lunch are not included, so carry your own water, especially in warm weather.
• Sort your own ferry. The ticket covers the train and the tunnel tour only. Transportation to and from Rottnest Island must be booked separately with your preferred ferry operator, and there is no hotel pickup on the mainland or the island.
• Group feel. The tour runs with a maximum of 45 travellers. Reviewers describe guides who are knowledgeable about the guns and the island's history, and several families report good experiences with children.
• Watch the ceiling. The tunnels are enclosed, with low ceilings, uneven surfaces and other trip hazards. Anyone wary of tight enclosed spaces should factor that in. Small infants can be carried in baby carriers that leave the adult's hands free for the railings.
• Weather dependence. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled due to poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Common issues. The tunnel section is the main sticking point: it is physically demanding, not wheelchair accessible, not recommended for pregnant travellers or those with mobility issues, and carrying children is not permitted except for small infants in baby carriers. One reviewer with a newborn and toddlers was told the tunnel tour was not appropriate for them and sought a refund for that component, so check what your ticket covers before you travel. Another reviewer was disappointed to find the train replaced by a bus after a breakdown, with no advance notice, though the tunnel tour itself still ran and was praised. The listing also notes confirmation can take up to 48 hours, subject to availability, and the group can run to as many as 45 travellers.

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