Budget Travellers Day Trip Guide to Rottnest Island Western Australia

A visit to Rottnest Island is one of the must see attractions on any visit to Perth, Western Australia but getting there and sightseeing on the island can be costly. Use this handy guide to a day trip to Rottnest Island for budget travellers if you want to make the most of Rottnest Island's unique wildlife and inviting beaches and bays and not break the bank.

Detailed Map of Rottnest Island

Getting to Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island or "Rotto" as the locals call it lies just 18 kilometres off the coast of Perth and is easily accessed from both Perth and Freemantle by a short ferry ride. Rottnest Express has ferries departing from Pier 2 Barrack Street Jetty in Perth, Northport Terminal in North Freemantle and C Shed Victoria Quay,

Rottnest Express Ferry to Rottnest Island from Freemantle

Ferry costs to Rottnest Island can be expensive. It is cheaper to depart from Freemantle rather than Perth as it is the shorter journey of the two, so if you can, combine your trip to Rottnest with a visit to Freemantle. Departing from Perth makes for a longer day which means less time on Rottnest.

One of the ways to make substantial savings on ferry crossings is to book in advance. During the summer months Rottnest Express offer 15% discount for booking 10 days in advance and 20% discount for booking 20 days in advance. Rottnest Fast Ferries also operate a day return service but prices are considerably higher than Rottnest Express.

Catch the Ferry to Rottnest Island - A Short Trip from Perth and Freemantle

Rottnest Express offer an all day return adult fare from Freemantle for around $50. If you are able to travel on a Tuesday, Rottnest Express offers a same day return fare for $39 until the end of October 2015. Rottnest Express also offers deals from time to time and special summer fares so make sure you check out their deals page before you book.

Buying Food and Dining Out on Rottnest Island

You can save money by packing a picnic lunch and heading to one of the 63 beaches and bays for the day. If you would rather buy food on Rottnest then Subway (located in the Thomson Bay Mall) probably offers the best value for money at around $5-6 for a 6 inch sub.

Rottnest Island Dome Restaurant

If you prefer to eat at a restaurant then you could try Aristos for yummy fish and chips along with great views out onto the waterfront for around $20 per head or you can get cafe style food at Dome that won't break the bank. There is also a bakery and an icecream palour on Rottnest.

Make sure that you take as much water and drinks with you as you can carry. It can get very hot on Rottnest and there is not a lot of shade in many places. Drinks on the island can be expensive. A small bottle of water, for instance, will set you back $4.00.

Getting Around on Rottnest Island

Bus Service on Rottnest Island
There is a free shuttle bus until 8 pm that operates between the main accommodation areas on Rottnest Island. It departs from the main bus stop in the Thomson Bay Settlement and travels to Geordie Bay Store for Geordie, Fay's and Longreach Bays.

For views of the whole island take the Rottnest Island Explorer Bus Service for around $20 or less if you have a pensioner or student concession card. Your ticket entitles you to hop on and off the bus as much as you like over the whole day affording you plenty of opportunity to visit several of the more popular beaches and bays on Rottnest Island such as Pinky Beach and Salmon Bay.

The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and will give you many spectacular views of some of the best beaches that Rottnest Island has to offer. For the best views be sure to sit on the left hand side. Buses depart from the main bus stop in the Thomson Bay Settlement. Tickets can be purchased at the Rottnest Island Visitor Centre.

Rottnest Island Explorer Bus Route

Walking Around Rottnest Island

Don't shell out for a bus or tour unless you want to take in the whole island. Walking the 24 kilometres or 15 miles around Rottnest Island won't cost you a cent. Remember though that to visit the secluded beaches and bays you will need to add further distance to the whole trip.

Rottnest Island View

In hot weather walking the whole island is not always an option except for the superfit. Fortunately there are several very good beaches such as the Basin that are only a few kilometres away from the main jetty and easily accessed on foot (allow about 30 minutes). These are perfect for relaxing and swimming.

The Basin Beach, Rottnest Island

There are lots of paths and trails all around Rottnest Island.  The new Wadjemup Trail walk offers visitors access to areas to explore on Rottnest away from bitumen roads such as Bickley Bay (18 kms return) and The Lakes section taking in Little Parakeet Bay (8 kms return).  You can now walk from Oliver Hill to Wadjemup Lighthouse on the Salmon Bay Walk. More details about the Wadjemup Trail

Walk Close to Settlement Rottnest Island

Cycling Around Rottnest Island
Cycling around Rottnest Island offers a good alternative to walking and means you can cover more distance. If you already own a bike or can borrow one you can easily get around Rottnest. Be aware though that Rottnest Island is hilly in some places and a good level of fitness is needed particularly if you are cycling in hot weather.

You can also hire bikes directly on Rottnest Island for the day for under $30 for a multi-geared bike. Couples may like to consider a tandem at around $45 against $60 for the hire of two cycles. Pedal and Flipper also offer snorkel gear hire and electric bike hire ($60 full day) on Rottnest Island.  For only a little more you can hire a bike from Rottnest Express and ride it straight off the jetty.

Hire a Bike from Rottnest Express and Ride it off the Main Jetty

There is a free suggested cycle route of Rottnest Island on MapMyRide which is just short of 22 kilometres if you are serious about making a loop of the island.

Hire a Bicycle to Get Around Rottnest Island

Where to Find Quokkas on Rottnest

Quokkas are all over the island but you won't necessarily see many particularly on hot days unless you look for them. Quokkas are actually nocturnal creatures but constant feeding of the quokkas despite warnings has lead these tiny marsupials to become more active during the day especially in the morning and evenings.

Quokkas on Rottnest Island

Even in the heat of the day you will find quokkas just off the boardwalk at the end of the Garden Lake walk trail. Take the informative free guided Quokka tour (from the Salt Store) to learn more about these unique animals and the history of the island.

Free Quokka Tour on Rottnest Island

Free Tours on Rottnest Island

Apart from the daily free Quokka tour there are a range of free tours offered on Rottnest Island. Some examples of free tours available are:  Reefs Wrecks and Daring Sailors Discovery Walk
Vlamingh Lookout and Salt Lakes Walk, History of the Settlement Walk. Tours depart from outside the Salt Store. List of free tours of Rottnest Island

Salt Store 1868 Rottnest Island

What to Take on a Rottnest Island Day Trip

Day Pack
Water and drinks
Picnic lunch and snacks
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Sun Shelter
Bathers or swimming costume and towel
Snorkel and Flippers
Bike


Useful Rottnest Island Links
Experience Perth Rottnest Island
RottnestIsland.com
Trip Advisor Rottnest Island