10 Ferry Trips in Australia to Build a Day Around

1.From Perth: Rottnest Island Full-Day Bike and Ferry Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,548 reviews · 1 day · from $84Our pick

Take a 45-minute ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour to car-free Rottnest Island, with a bike, helmet, and lock ready for your day. Ride to quiet bays, Wadjemup Lighthouse, or West End, spot quokkas, and add snorkel gear for $15. Optional hotel pickup is available on selected routes.

“Well organised, prompt. The bus driver was great at the start and end, as was everything in between.”

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2.From Perth or Fremantle: Rottnest Island Ferry and Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,246 reviews · 7 hours - 1 day · from $99

Take a SeaLink ferry from Perth or Fremantle to Rottnest Island, then tour its beaches, salt lakes, lighthouse, and quokka country by air-conditioned bus. Guides such as Leah, Barney, and Jason are known for lively commentary. You also get free time for lunch, photos, swimming, or a short walk.

“It’s was good from start to finish very welcoming and helpful, clear instructions and a good sense of humour.”

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3.Kangaroo Island Full Day Experience by Ferry Including Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,202 reviews · 16 hours · from $267

Travel from Adelaide by coach and ferry to Kangaroo Island with guides such as Hamish, Jo, Will, and Scott. Visit Seal Bay, Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, and a wildlife sanctuary, with lunch included.

“Very nice Trip, very informative. Be Aware that the guides Change and you have to keep asking whether you are on the list for the specific tour”

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4.Brisbane: Moreton Island Return Ferry & Adventure Day Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,195 reviews · 8 - 9 hours · from $98

You’ll ferry from Brisbane’s Holt Street Wharf to Tangalooma Island Resort for a self-guided day of kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, and beach time. The pass includes equipment and resort access, but not meals, wetsuits, lockers, or guided wreck tours.

“We had thoroughly great day. We added quad biking to our days activities which was really good fun. The cost of the photos are very expensive!! We really enjoyed the day and would recommend a trip to the resort.”

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5.From Fremantle: Rottnest Island Ferry and Bike Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 805 reviews · 9 hours · from $87

Take the fast Rottnest Express ferry from Fremantle, collect a hire bike on arrival, and spend the day exploring Rottnest Island independently. Ride to beaches, bays, museums, and quokka spots, with time to swim, snorkel, picnic, and return on the same-day ferry.

“Fantastic place to visit. Although the ferry was completely full, once on the island the crowds thinned. It probably helped going clockwise and leaving the settlement/quokkas till last.”

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6.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 beach time, snorkeling, and rainforest walks. Choose a picnic lunch, snorkel gear, or glass-bottom boat ride, then add guided kayaking, snorkeling, or a Turtle Rehabilitation Centre visit on the island.

“I enjoyed snorkeling at Fitzroy Island. Definitely recommend it and worth the money”

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7.From Perth: Rottnest Island Ferry & Bike Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 627 reviews · 9 hours · from $118

Take the Rottnest Express from Perth to Rottnest Island, including a narrated Swan River cruise, then collect a bike and explore at your own pace. Ride to beaches such as the Basin, Parakeet Bay, and Little Armstrong Bay, with time for quokkas, swimming, and lunch.

“Really good day out well organised with bikes available. The island is not flat so the biking may prove a challenge for some as you rack up 18 miles if you do the full route around the island. Chance to see seals as well”

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8.Rottnest Grand Island Package with Ferry, Tour & Light Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 445 reviews · 7 - 9 hours · from $138

Take SeaLink’s full-day Rottnest tour from Perth or Fremantle. You’ll ride the ferry, visit Oliver Hill’s gun fort and tunnels, tour the island by coach, and stop at beaches, salt lakes, lighthouses, and quokka spots. Guides such as Leigh, Kim, Di, and Robbo bring the island’s past to life.

“That was our first time holiday to Rottnest islands and we were very enjoyed every minute went by. The guide man is very knowledgeable and funny also very helpful to us. The scenery was amazing, spectacular and seeing the quokkas were every where and so cute even though we cannot touch them. The food which is wraps and cookies also were delicious. Hopefully one day we can visit Rottnest islands again as we felt very spoiled with all the tour guides and their good work during our grand island tour.”

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9.From Fremantle: Rottnest Island Ferry & Bus Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 394 reviews · 1 day · from $112

Take a 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 bring local stories to the ride. You’ll have free time afterward for quokkas, beaches, lunch, or a swim.

“So glad we selected the bus compared to the pushbike, it was 39 degrees and so hot. Worth every dollar as the ferry was on time, quick and the bus made the 22km round trip of the island an airconditioned dream. Luv the Quokka's!”

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10.Rottnest Island Round-Trip Ferry from Perth

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 346 reviews · from $90

Take the Rottnest Express from Perth or Fremantle to Rottnest Island, then set your own pace among 63 beaches, 20 bays, quokkas, walking paths, and historic sites. Bring money for food and rentals, and book bikes early if cycling is your plan.

“We went over to Rottnest on a very , very choppy day, ferry was a bit like a roller coaster ride but we got there safely. Thoroughly enjoyed the scenic cruise from Perth , commentary was excellent. Ferry was comfortable & on return journey the seas had settled somewhat & we enjoyed a coffee & a snack. Would do this again if in the west & just hope for better weather!”

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