Booking choice: The fast ferry from Hillarys. Book this Tour details
Rottnest ferries leave from four places: Barrack Street Jetty in central Perth, Victoria Quay in Fremantle, Northport in North Fremantle and Hillarys Boat Harbour in the northern suburbs. Each one has a different crossing time and a different way in.
The short version: Fremantle for most people, Hillarys for the northern suburbs, Perth for the river cruise, Northport for drivers.
The quick answer
Fremantle is the default: about 30 minutes across, the most sailings, the lowest standard fares and a short walk from the train. Hillarys takes about 45 minutes and has free parking, good for the northern suburbs. Perth's Barrack Street Jetty adds a commentated Swan River cruise, so the trip takes 75 to 90 minutes and costs more. Northport, Rottnest Express's second Fremantle terminal, is car-only.
Which Rottnest ferry departure point is best?
Fremantle for most visitors: the shortest crossing, the most sailings and a walk from the train. Hillarys if you are staying north of Perth; Perth if you want the river cruise.
The four departure points side by side:
| Departure | Operators | Crossing | Getting there | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fremantle, Victoria Quay | SeaLink, Rottnest Express (B Shed) | About 30 min | Train to Fremantle, then a short walk; limited paid parking | Most visitors, train users, the longest day |
| Northport, North Fremantle | Rottnest Express | About 30 to 45 min | Car or taxi only; large private car park | Drivers who want a parking space |
| Hillarys Boat Harbour | Rottnest Fast Ferries | About 45 min | Car (free parking), hotel pick-up, bus | Northern suburbs, Scarborough, families with a car |
| Perth, Barrack Street Jetty | SeaLink (Pier 3), Rottnest Express (Pier 4) | About 75 to 90 min | Walk from the CBD; free hotel pick-up with SeaLink | City hotels, a river cruise on the way |
The northern route: Hillarys to the island in about 45 minutes, free parking, admission included.
Book thisHow do you get to the Fremantle ferry by train?
Take a Transperth train to Fremantle, about half an hour from Perth, then walk: SeaLink's desk is about 5 minutes away and Rottnest Express's B Shed is a short walk.
Trains on the Fremantle line run often through the day, and Transperth travel is free on Sundays when you tap on with a SmartRider or a contactless card (Transperth fares). From the station, follow the waterfront to Victoria Quay. SeaLink's blue desk is next to E Shed (SeaLink); Rottnest Express's B Shed is at 1 Peter Hughes Drive.
B Shed is being renovated, which affects road, berth and parking access (Rottnest Express). On foot it matters less, but allow a few extra minutes and follow the signs on the day. For the first boat at 7:00am, check the train timetable the night before.
Where do you park for the Fremantle ferry?
At Victoria Quay, in limited paid long-term parking that fills early: arrive 30 to 40 minutes before your ferry. Drivers with Rottnest Express can use Northport's large car park instead.
Victoria Quay has short, medium and long-term zones run by Wilson Parking, paid at the machine or in the Wilson app, for stays up to 7 days. SeaLink notes the bays are not secure (SeaLink). Rottnest Express calls long-term parking near B Shed very limited and asks drivers to arrive 30 to 40 minutes before departure (Rottnest Express parking).
Northport has a private car park with nearly 400 bays, also managed by Wilson Parking. It closes 30 minutes after the last ferry, so don't miss the boat back. The ferry tips explain what that costs.
Board at B Shed or Northport: drive to Northport's big car park, or walk from Fremantle station to B Shed. Free cancellation up to 2 days before, per the listing.
Book this Tour detailsIs Northport the same as B Shed?
No. Both are Rottnest Express terminals in Fremantle, but Northport sits inside the working port at Rous Head in North Fremantle and you can only reach it by car.
Walking, cycling and scooters are not allowed in the port, so Northport is no use if you arrive by train or want to ride your own bike to the ferry (Rottnest Express). Its office opens 7:30am to 4:15pm, at 1 Emma Place, Rous Head Road. B Shed, on Victoria Quay, is the walk-up terminal.
When you book the Rottnest Express return, you choose the terminal. Check it twice: people do turn up at the wrong one, and the two are not walking distance apart through the port.
What is the ferry from Perth's Barrack Street Jetty like?
Slower and dearer, with a commentated cruise down the Swan River first. SeaLink sails once a day at 8:30am from Pier 3; Rottnest Express uses Pier 4.
The trip takes about 90 minutes with SeaLink and about 75 with Rottnest Express, past the river suburbs to Fremantle and then across. SeaLink offers a free hotel pick-up for its 8:30am departure; book it by 5pm the day before. Its terms also warn that Perth sailings may be replaced by a coach to Fremantle because of weather or high tides on the river (SeaLink terms).
Getting there: Elizabeth Quay station is about a 9-minute walk, and the free Blue CAT bus stops at Barrack Street Jetty. Parking nearby is limited to 2 to 3-hour paid bays, so long-stay drivers use Terrace Road, Council House or the Convention Centre car parks.
From the city: SeaLink's 8:30am Swan River sailing from Pier 3, admission included, with a free hotel pick-up.
Book this Tour detailsWhy leave from Hillarys?
Because it is close to the northern suburbs, parking is free, and the crossing is about 45 minutes. Rottnest Fast Ferries sails from there daily, all year.
Hillarys Boat Harbour is about 20 minutes north of Perth by car, off the Mitchell Freeway at Hepburn Avenue, with the ticket office at Shop 56, Southside Drive (Rottnest Fast Ferries). Parking is free all day and overnight, though spaces get hard to find in peak season (Rottnest Fast Ferries).
The same-day return leaves at 7:30am or 10:00am and comes back at 4:30pm. The operator says its catamarans give one of the smoothest rides to the island. Free parking and a quiet marina make it the easy start for families with a car.
How do you get to Hillarys without a car?
Use the courtesy hotel pick-up that comes with several Hillarys tickets, or a Transperth bus from the northern suburbs train line.
Rottnest Fast Ferries runs complimentary transfers from hotels in the CBD, Northbridge, Scarborough and along the Sunset Coast (Rottnest Fast Ferries FAQ). On GetYourGuide, the Hillarys return has hotel pick-up as an option, the bike package offers it from selected hotels on request, and the Grand Island tour includes it when pre-booked.
By public transport, use the Transperth Journey Planner: buses link Hillarys with stations on the northern train line. Allow plenty of time, since the operator asks passengers to arrive well before departure.
Ferry, all-day bike, helmet and admission from Hillarys, with courtesy pick-up from selected hotels on request.
Book thisWhich departure point suits your trip?
Match the wharf to where you sleep and how you travel. Here is the short list.
- Staying in Fremantle: walk to SeaLink at Victoria Quay or Rottnest Express at B Shed.
- In a CBD hotel without a car: the train to Fremantle for more hours on the island, or SeaLink's 8:30am Perth sailing with hotel pick-up for an easy morning.
- Scarborough or the northern suburbs: Hillarys.
- Driving from the south or east: Northport, for the parking.
- Want the longest day: SeaLink's 7:00am from Fremantle and a late return.
- Want the river: Perth, at least one way.
Once you have the wharf, Rottnest Express or SeaLink helps with the operator, and the one-day guide with the hours.
Staying north of the city? Out from Hillarys at 7:30am, back at 4:30pm, admission included and free parking.
Book this Tour detailsFrequently asked questions
Is the ferry from Fremantle or Perth better?
Fremantle for most people: about 30 minutes, more sailings and lower fares. Perth suits you if you want the Swan River cruise or the hotel pick-up with SeaLink's 8:30am boat.
How long is the ferry from Hillarys to Rottnest?
About 45 minutes with Rottnest Fast Ferries.
Is parking free at Hillarys Boat Harbour?
Yes, all day and overnight, according to Rottnest Fast Ferries. Spaces get scarce in peak season, so arrive early.
Can you walk to Northport?
No. Northport is inside the working port, and walking, cycling and scooters are not allowed. Arrive by car or taxi, or use B Shed instead.
Ready to book
Choose your ferry
Free cancellation on every option; each listing shows its own deadline. The island admission fee is part of every ferry fare.
Fast Ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour
- Same-day return fast ferry
- Rottnest Island admission fee
- Hotel pickup if you choose that option
SeaLink Ferry & Admission from Fremantle
- Return ferry, same day or extended stay
- Rottnest Island admission fee
- Onboard bar and wifi
SeaLink Ferry & Admission from Perth
The 8:30am sailing down the Swan River, island entry included