EN
Home / Tours / Grand Island tour with lunch

Rottnest Fast Ferries · Hillarys Boat Harbour

The Grand Island tour with lunch

A full guided day from Hillarys: the fast ferry, a ride on a historic train to the Oliver Hill guns and tunnels, a light picnic lunch and a bus tour out to Cathedral Rocks, with the admission fee included. It's the most complete way to see Rottnest without a bike.

Grand Island Day Tour with Lunch from Hillarys

About this experience

The listing states a 10:00am ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour, with check-in by 9:00am, and a return at about 4:00pm. On the island you join a 3.5-hour guided tour. It starts on the Captain Hussey historic train up to Oliver Hill, where a guide leads you through the Second World War gun emplacements and tunnels. After a light picnic lunch, a coach takes you to Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, Jeannie's Lookout and the fur seal colony at Cathedral Rocks.

Be honest about Oliver Hill. The listing describes it as physically demanding: about 45 minutes, roughly 700 metres of walking, more than 240 uneven steps and no rest stops, with low ceilings in the tunnels. Children can't be carried except small infants in baby carriers, and under-12s must be with an adult. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

A courtesy pickup from selected Perth, Northbridge and Scarborough hotels is available on request and must be pre-booked. The operator's own page asks you to book before the day of travel and to mention any dietary needs. SeaLink sells a similar Grand Island package from Perth and Fremantle.

  • A ride on the Captain Hussey historic train
  • Guided visit to the Oliver Hill guns and tunnels
  • Light picnic lunch included
  • Fur seals at Cathedral Rocks and views from Wadjemup Lighthouse
  • Courtesy hotel pickup on request

How the day runs

  1. By 9:00amCheck in at Hillarys

    At the Rottnest Fast Ferries ticket office on Southside Drive, or meet the courtesy coach if you booked a pickup.

  2. 10:00amFast ferry to Rottnest

    About 45 minutes to Thomson Bay.

  3. Late morningTrain to Oliver Hill

    The historic train climbs to the hill, then a guide takes you through the guns and tunnels.

  4. MiddayLight lunch

    A picnic lunch before the second half of the tour.

  5. AfternoonBus tour of the island

    Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, Jeannie's Lookout and the seals at Cathedral Rocks.

  6. About 4:00pmFerry home

    Back to Hillarys in about 45 minutes.

Passengers stepping off an island tour bus on Rottnest IslandTurquoise reef water below a white lighthouse on Rottnest Island

What's included

Included

  • Same-day return ferry
  • Rottnest Island admission fee
  • 3.5-hour guided tour by bus and historic train
  • Light picnic lunch
  • Courtesy hotel pickup and drop-off from selected Perth and Scarborough hotels, on request and pre-booked

Not included

  • Bike hire
  • Extra food and drinks beyond the light lunch
  • Snorkel gear

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You want the history, from wartime guns to the lighthouse
  • You'd rather not plan anything on the island
  • You are staying north of Perth or in Scarborough
  • You like having lunch sorted

Skip it if

What guests say

★★★★★

This is an all-encompassing trip around the beauty spots of the island, interesting history and great stories.

Carolyn · Oct 2026
★★★★★

We had a great day. Everything was well coordinated throughout the day.

Kenneth · Sep 2026
★★★★★

Met a lot of smiling quokkas, and very informative and worthy with this Grand tour.

Simon · Aug 2026
★★★★★

Absolutely loved our trip to Rottnest. Our guides Leigh and Judy were fabulous and so interesting.

Emma · Aug 2026

Tips before you book

  • Wear sturdy closed shoes. The 240-plus steps at Oliver Hill are uneven.
  • Tell the operator about dietary needs when you book, as its page asks.
  • Bring a warm layer: the tunnels are cool, and the West End is windy.
  • Book the hotel pickup when you book the tour. The pickup time is confirmed afterwards.
  • Public transport reaches Hillarys too, the listing says, if pickup doesn't cover your hotel.

Read next:

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Grand Island tour?

The listing gives a 3.5-hour guided tour by bus and historic train, inside a full day with the ferry from Hillarys. Check-in is by 9:00am and the return ferry is around 4:00pm.

Is the Oliver Hill part hard?

It takes some effort: about 45 minutes, 700 metres of walking and more than 240 uneven steps, with no rest stops. The tunnels have low ceilings. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What is included in the lunch?

The listing describes a light picnic lunch. Tell the operator about any dietary needs when you book.

Grand Island tour or the 90-minute bus tour?

The Grand Island tour adds the historic train, Oliver Hill and lunch. The 90-minute bus tour is shorter and leaves more free time. See planning a day trip.

Ready to book

Book Grand Island tour with lunch

A guided day by bus and historic train, the Oliver Hill tunnels and a light lunch, with the Hillarys ferry.

Compare with

Plan your date before you go

A guided day by bus and historic train, the Oliver Hill tunnels and a light lunch, with the Hillarys ferry.

Book this