Where to Sail: the 10 Best Island Ferry Trips in Australia

1.From Perth or Fremantle: Rottnest Island Ferry and Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,246 reviews · 7 hours - 1 day · from $99Our pick

Take a SeaLink ferry from Perth or Fremantle to Rottnest Island, then join a 105-minute air-conditioned bus tour with live English commentary. See Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, Cathedral Rocks, and Cape Vlamingh, with free time for food, quokkas, beaches, or a swim. Guides may include Leah, Barney, Robbo, or Woody.

“Brilliant trip. The guide on the bus was particularly good. Overall, from boarding the ferry to getting off at the end of the trip everyone and everything was first class. Thanks.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

2.Rottnest Island Ferry and Bike Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 805 reviews · 9 hours · from $87

Take the fast Rottnest Express ferry from Fremantle’s B Shed, collect your included bike on arrival, and spend about nine hours exploring Rottnest Island independently. Ride to beaches, bays, snorkelling spots, and quokka areas at your own pace. Bring water, allow for hills and wind, and plan your route before leaving the settlement.

“Rottnest is a beautiful island with lots to see and do. Bike hire is great to get around. I’m not very fit but managed to get around ok, some of the hills were very steep but you just stop and take in the scenery. The quokkas were very cute. Had a nice lunch at one of the hotels. Some of the beaches were very busy- salmon bay was the nicest. I think $120 is a lot of money for a 30 min ferry ride however the island was beautiful and must be done while in Perth.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

3.Fitzroy Island Ferry with Optional Lunch & Activity

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 796 reviews · 8 hours · from $59Best value

Take Sunlover Reef Cruises from Cairns to Fitzroy Island for four-plus hours of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and rainforest walks. Choose a basic ferry day or add lunch, snorkel gear, and a glass-bottom boat ride. Guides such as Georgina and Carmen explain the reef and its fish during the glass-bottom cruise.

“Brilliant snorkelling - saw turtles and many Fish Great vegetarian boxed lunch”

Check sailings →Read our full review

4.Rottnest Island Ferry & Bike Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 627 reviews · 9 hours · from $118

Take a fast ferry from Perth to Rottnest Island, including a Swan River cruise with commentary, then collect a bike and explore independently. Ride to beaches such as the Basin, Parakeet Bay, and Little Armstrong Bay, stopping for swimming, quokkas, and lunch before your same-day return ferry.

“We loved this day trip! Honestly wasn’t expecting much initially but it turned into such a great adventure day!! We rented bikes and loved riding around the island, even if it was WAY harder than expected. So please keep that in mind if you’re not a big bike rider. We got tons of cute quokka content too!! The restaurant Frankie’s was amazing!!”

Check sailings →Read our full review

5.Rottnest Island Ferry & Bus Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 394 reviews · 1 day · from $112

Take the 25-minute ferry from Fremantle to Rottnest Island, then circle the island on a 90-minute guided bus tour. Guides such as Ella, Eli, Jess, and Richard have been praised for their stories and humor. Afterward, swim, eat, see quokkas, or explore the settlement before your return ferry.

“A fabulous day with confident , efficient, highly knowledgeable staff. Amazing day, best tour ever. New love for the whole island. Big Thank you to Malcolm and Larry.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

6.Fitzroy Island Ferry, optional lunch, tours, snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 216 reviews · from $69

Take Sunlover Reef Cruises from Cairns to Fitzroy Island for about 4.5 hours of free time. Swim from the beach, snorkel, walk to Nudey Beach, or follow rainforest trails. Choose a simple ferry ticket or add lunch, a glass-bottom boat ride, and snorkel gear. This is a self-guided island day, not a guided tour.

“Snorkeling with a turtle! Lunch not available. No tour.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

7.Rottnest Island Ferry & Bus Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 76 reviews · 1 day · from $135

Travel from Perth to Rottnest Island by ferry, with a narrated Swan River cruise and a 90-minute coach tour led by an English-speaking guide. See Wadjemup Lighthouse, West End, Cathedral Rocks, and quokka habitat, then explore independently before the 4:30pm return ferry. Guides may include Eli, Holly, Max, or Mark.

“Eli our guide on the Rottnest Tour bus was excellent and Simon the driver was patient with us getting photos. A great day trip.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

8.Maria Island Ferry – Hobart Bus Connection (Return Service)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews Top rated

This daily shuttle links Hobart CBD with the Maria Island ferry terminal at Triabunna from October to April. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local driver-guide, choose a 6:45am or 8:00am departure, and return to Hobart in the evening. Ferry tickets and the national park pass are arranged separately.

“The driver was a great company and she helped us with everything. If you don’t have a car you should choose this shuttle service for sure. :)”

Check sailings →Read our full review

9.Rottnest Island Ferry, Bike, Coffee & Lobster Roll

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 17 reviews · 1 day · from $109

Spend a full day on Rottnest Island with return ferry service from Hillarys Boat Harbour, locally roasted coffee, bike hire, helmet, lock, and a map of three cycling trails. You will visit beaches and bays at your own pace, enjoy a Cray Dog at The Lane Café, and finish with Simmo’s ice cream. English-language service is provided.

Check sailings →Read our full review

10.Rottnest Island Ferry and 1.75 Hr Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 1 day · from $99

Take the 7:30 AM ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour to Rottnest Island, then join a 1.75-hour English-language bus tour to Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, Mabel Cove, beaches, woodlands, and salt lakes. Guide Mitch has earned warm praise, and the air-conditioned bus is a smart choice if you would rather sightsee than cycle.

“A nice way to see the island without having to hire a bike. Tour guide Mitch was lovely.”

Check sailings →Read our full review