Rottnest Island – The Things You Need to Know!
We spent the day on Rottnest Island at the end of our 7-day campervan road trip from Perth to Esperance. Safe to say, we were tired after all that driving and campsite living, and we did not prepare for Rottnest Island… like, at all.
So, here’s everything you need to know (and what to avoid!) so your trip goes a little more smoothly than ours did.
Getting to Rottnest Island
To get to Rottnest, you’ll need to book either the Rottnest Express or the SeaLink Ferry. Definitely pre-book these because they do sell out! If you’re just planning a day trip, a return ticket is the best value.
We went with the SeaLink Ferry and it was great. Punctual, comfortable, and only took about 30 minutes. The captain even gave us “Wildlife Updates” over the speaker when migrating humpback whales were spotted!
You can catch the ferry from either Fremantle (which we did) or Perth City. Since we still had our campervan, we parked at Wilson Parking nearby. It’s all outdoors so no height restrictions to worry about, and you can pay via the machine or app. It cost $12 for the whole day, which we thought was pretty reasonable and it’s only a couple of minutes walk away from the ferry.
Getting Around Rottnest Island
This is where we really messed up… but honestly, we’re kind of glad we did!
Most people explore the island either by hop-on-hop-off bus or bicycle. There are e-bikes and regular bikes available, and fair warning, it’s hilly, so prepare for a workout!
The bus and e-bikes sell out quickly, so book at least a day in advance if you can.
We hadn’t booked anything – not the bus, not the e-bikes, nothing – so by the time we arrived, the only option left was to hire regular bikes on the spot.
And you know what? We absolutely loved it. We had to queue for a while and sure, it was tough in parts, but it turned out to be one of our favourite days of the trip. We got a full workout, saw the whole island at our own pace, and finished the day with a well-deserved pizza at Hotel Rottnest overlooking the ocean.
If you take the bus, note that stops are spread out around the island, so you can still walk between them if you want to see more. Buses run every 20 minutes, but they do get busy and sometimes fill up — so keep that in mind when planning your day.
*Top tip – if you’re arriving after 1pm, you can book your bikes or e-bikes for a discounted rate!*
Food and Drink on the Island
This is another thing we completely underestimated.
We assumed there’d be cafés and food spots dotted all around the island…there aren’t. Most of the food options are clustered around The Settlement, near where the ferry comes in. Once you head out exploring, things get pretty sparse.
We didn’t pack any snacks or water, which was a big mistake after hours of cycling in the sun. By the time we reached the West End (the opposite side of the island from where we started), we were starving. We ended up sharing a Powerade and a Byron Bay cookie (which was well expensive btw) just to keep ourselves going until we made it back to civilisation!
So yes – bring plenty of water with you and probably eat before you start your cycle, if that’s your chosen mode of transport!
What We’d Do Differently Next Time
Even though we had a brilliant day, there are definitely a few things we’d do differently (and recommend you do too!):
Don’t worry if things don’t go to plan. Sometimes the best travel days are the unplanned ones. Our “mistake” ended up being the highlight of our trip.
Book transport in advance. Whether you want the bus or e-bikes, it’s worth booking before you arrive – especially in peak season.
Bring snacks and plenty of water. There aren’t many food stops once you’re out exploring, and those hills are thirsty work!
Start early. The island is stunning, and there’s a lot to see — so the earlier you get there, the more relaxed your day will feel.
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