National park · Australia
Rottnest IslandWadjemup
Day trip from Perth: ferry from Fremantle (30 min) or Barrack Street (about 90 min), pay the island entry fee on top of the fare, hire a bike and ride the 25 km (16 mi) loop early; sleep over only if you booked months ahead or use Samphire, and avoid the last week of November.Day trip from Perth: ferry from Fremantle (30 min) or Barrack Street (about 90 min), pay the island entry fee on top of the fare, hire a bike and ride the 16 mi (25 km) loop early; sleep over only if you booked months ahead or use Samphire, and avoid the last week of November.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²)
approximate
Established
1917
Best months
Mar–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²)
- About 19 km² of land; the surrounding marine reserve adds more (check).
- Established
- 1917
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Perth
Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) lies about 20 km off Perth and is run by the Rottnest Island Authority as an A-class reserve, not a national park. It is car-free: you arrive by ferry and move by bike, shuttle bus or on foot. The draw is the quokka, a small marsupial found in numbers nowhere else, plus 63 beaches and bays, salt lakes and a lighthouse. It is also a place of Noongar significance and a former Aboriginal prison site, and that history is now marked on the island. Most visitors come for the day; beds are limited and summer weekends sell out far ahead.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1917.
Size and age
19 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (19 km²) · national park since 1917
About 19 km² of land; the surrounding marine reserve adds more (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Perth.
Why go
- Quokkas in the settlement and around the campground, most active in the late afternoon and at night.
- A car-free island with a 25 km (16 mi) loop road: bike it in half a day and stop at bays that stay empty.A car-free island with a 16 mi (25 km) loop road: bike it in half a day and stop at bays that stay empty.
- Snorkelling and swimming off reefs close to Perth, with clearer water than the mainland beaches.
- Wadjemup history: the former prison and burial site, and the wartime guns and tunnels on the highest hill.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanHot, dry, busy; swim early
- FebHot; afternoon sea breeze
- MarWarm, calmer, fewer crowds
- AprMild and clear
- MayCool, quiet, good walking
- JunWet and windy; some ferries cancelled
- JulColdest, roughest crossings
- AugWind and showers; whales offshore
- SepWildflowers, warming up
- OctWarm, dry, still manageable
- NovSchool leavers week late Nov; avoid
- DecHot and very busy; book ahead
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuokkaAll year · Active late afternoon and at night; do not feed or touch. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Humpback and southern right whales offshoreAug–Nov · Seen from the west end and from ferries during the migration. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Seabirds and ospreysSep–Feb · Nesting on the cliffs and offshore rocks; keep away from nests. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dugite snakesOct–Mar · Venomous but shy; stay on tracks in the scrub and watch your footing. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Fremantle
Ferry from Victoria Quay; the shortest crossing, about 30 min.
30 min
Open the page →
From Perth (Barrack Street Jetty)
Ferry down the Swan River and out to the island; slower but no drive to Fremantle.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Hillarys Boat Harbour
Ferry from the northern suburbs marina.
45 min
Open the page →
From Perth by car
Drive to Fremantle or Hillarys and park near the jetty for the day; parking fills on summer weekends.
30–45 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Thomson Bay settlement | Jetty, visitor centre, shops, bakery, pub, bike hire and most beds. | Open; busiest 10:00–15:00.Open; busiest 10:00 AM–3:00 PM. |
| The Basin and Longreach Bay | Sheltered swimming beaches a short ride north of the settlement. | Open; the closest beaches to the ferry. |
| Geordie Bay and the north coast | Quieter bays, a small shop and cafe, and the campground nearby. | Open; bike or shuttle bus. |
| Wadjemup Lighthouse and the centre | The island's high point, wartime guns and tunnels, and salt lakes. | Open; lighthouse tours run separately (check). |
| West End and Cape Vlamingh | Cliffs, blowholes and the far tip; the longest ride from the settlement. | Open; no swimming, strong currents. |
Sketch map
- 1Thomson Bay settlement and jetty · Headquarters≈-31.996, 115.541Map ↗
- 2The Basin · Beach≈-31.991, 115.538Map ↗
- 3Geordie Bay · Beach≈-31.991, 115.525Map ↗
- 4Wadjemup Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-32.007, 115.504Map ↗
- 5Cape Vlamingh (West End) · Viewpoint≈-32.025, 115.456Map ↗
- 6Campground · Sleep≈-31.994, 115.539Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across the island, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island entry fee (arrival fee), adult day visitor | Free | person | Charged by the Rottnest Island Authority and usually collected with your ferry fare; the amount changes and is not published here (check). |
| Island entry fee, concession and child | Free | person | Lower rate for children and concession holders (check). |
| Bike hire, full day | AUD 25–40 (≈ US$17–30) | bike | 2026 estimate; book with the ferry or at the settlement. |
| Bayseeker shuttle bus day ticket | Free | person | Hop-on hop-off around the island; price set by the operator (check). |
| Ferry, Fremantle return | AUD 60–90 (≈ US$40–60) | person | 2026 estimate; varies by operator, season and how far ahead you book. |
| Ferry, Barrack Street Jetty (Perth) return | AUD 90–130 (≈ US$60–90) | person | 2026 estimate; longer crossing, higher fare. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Island entry permit or guide
Accommodation no permit
Camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$25–40≈ US$17–30
- A$60–90≈ US$40–60
- A$90–130≈ US$60–90
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Rottnest Island Authority — official site before you go.
Park rules
- No cars
- Private vehicles are not allowed on the island; bring a bike or hire one, or use the shuttle bus.
- Quokkas
- Do not feed, touch or handle them, and do not block them for photos; fines apply.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the Rottnest Island Authority (check).check
- Fishing and marine life
- Recreational fishing needs a licence and marine reserve rules apply; check zones before you cast.
- Fires and camping
- Camp only at the campground; no open fires.
Where to stay
In the park
Hotel Rottnest
Rooms by Thomson Bay, above the pub; check-in from 14:00, check-out 10:00.Rooms by Thomson Bay, above the pub; check-in from 2:00 PM, check-out 10:00 AM.
In the park
Samphire Rottnest
The newest and priciest option, near Parker Point Road; books outside the usual authority system, so short-notice rooms appear.
In the park
Bathurst Lighthouse Keepers Cottage
Self-catering cottage at Bathurst Point.
In the park
Campground and Pinky's eco-tents
Sites and tents just north of the settlement, with a pool at Pinky's.
Near the park
Fremantle or Perth
Most visitors sleep on the mainland and come over for the day.
Safety
School leavers week medium
Rough ferry crossings medium
Heat and no shade on the loop road medium
Swimming and reef cuts low
Dugite snakes low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The ferry, jetty and settlement are step-free, and the shuttle bus takes wheelchairs (check with the operator).
- The loop road has hills and no footpath in places; a mobility scooter or the bus is easier than a bike.
- Some beaches have steps or sand access only.
Visiting lightly
- Do not feed quokkas or any wildlife; human food makes them sick.
- Take your rubbish back to the settlement; bins are limited away from Thomson Bay.
- Rent a bike rather than adding a vehicle; the island is car-free by design.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and stay off the coral.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Rottnest Island?
There is an island entry fee charged by the Rottnest Island Authority on top of your ferry fare, with a lower rate for children and concession holders. The amount changes and is not fixed here, so check the current figure when you book; the ferry is usually the bigger cost, roughly A$60–90 return from Fremantle and more from Barrack Street in Perth (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Rottnest Island?
There are no long hiking trails; the island is ridden or walked in short pieces. The standard route is the 25 km sealed loop road, which takes 3–5 hours by bike. On foot, the best short walks are the settlement to The Basin, the path out to Wadjemup Lighthouse, and the tracks around Cape Vlamingh at the west end.
When is the best time to visit Rottnest Island?
March to May and September to November: warm, mostly dry and less crowded than summer. December to February is hot and very busy, and the last week of November is school leavers week, which you should avoid. June to August is wet, windy and can bring ferry cancellations.
Can I stay overnight on Rottnest Island?
Yes, but beds are limited. Most accommodation is booked through the Rottnest Island Authority and summer dates go by ballot about nine months ahead; Samphire Rottnest books separately and can have short-notice rooms. There is also a campground and eco-tents north of the settlement.
Do I need a car on Rottnest Island?
No, and you cannot bring one. The island is car-free. Hire a bike at the settlement or take the Bayseeker shuttle bus, which runs a loop with signed stops during the day.
Can I see quokkas?
Yes, easily, especially around the settlement and campground in the late afternoon and at night. Keep about a metre away, do not feed or touch them, and do not use a selfie stick to get closer; feeding them makes them ill and fines apply.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go