Where to Sail: the 6 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.”

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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.”

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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”

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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!!”

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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.”

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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.”

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