Ferry from Rottnest Island to Hillarys

Rottnest Island Guide

What is there to do in Rottnest Island?

Australia is hardly a country built on a hectic lifestyle, but Rottnest Island somehow manages to exude an atmosphere more relaxed than the mainland. The beautiful natural landscape is a haven of peace and tranquillity, and aesthetically satisfying enough to keep you occupied for a few days; explore the imposing cliffs and towering mountainside on the copious walking trails before grabbing your snorkelling gear and gracing the fresh blue waters. Snorkelling is a popular pastime with locals and tourists alike, though you won’t be hard-pressed finding a spot - 63 beaches and 20 bays decorate the coastline – even in the glorious summer months the waters are free to roam. The inviting terrain is so stunning that embarking on a challenging walk can prove too tempting, however, the beaches are equally alluring in the summer months when the sun shines down on the golden sands and blue waters. Dotted around the coastline are copious spots for whale watching; join others hunting for enviable photos to impress their friends.

How do you get around Rottnest Island?

Most choose to hire a bike and cycle around the island, which is the desirable option in the warm weather. Cars are not permitted on the island to maintain its peaceful reputation, but there is a bus shuttle service in operation.

Hillarys Guide

Hillarys Ferry Port

Hillarys is a glamorous seafront district in the northern fringes of Perth, the sprawling capital city of Western Australia that overlooks the turquoise depths of the Indian Ocean. This largely residential suburb is hemmed by a long, golden stretch of beach and a swathe of coastal parkland brimming with a wild tangle of verdant shrubs and trees. Hillary’s main attraction is the scenic boat harbour and boardwalk that curves like a claw around a man-made inlet of the sea. A host of restaurants, juice bars and cafes line the promenade, many offering alfresco seating that boast views across the crystal-clear waters of the marina and the yachts that bob gently between the jetties. The harbour’s inside arc is lined by a beach and the coiling slides of a nearby waterpark. The ferry terminal in Hillarys is found amid the shops and eateries along the boardwalk. The departure pier is found a little bit further north along the coast, at the other end of the beach. Despite a lack of facilities in the terminal itself, due to its central location along the harbour there are plenty of places to eat and drink as well as a few ATMs and toilets available for passengers to use. Hillarys is well supported by transport routes. Buses leaving from a stop just outside the entrance to the harbour head south along the West Coast Drive highway towards downtown Perth. Though the larger Mitchell Freeway is located just 10-minutes away, the coastal highway is also the preferred route for motorists looking to travel to and from Hillarys in view of the charming beaches. One ferry route currently operates from Hillarys port. A Rottnest Fast Ferries service skims south-west multiple times throughout the week to Rottnest Island, a thriving holiday destination and one of the few places in the world where quokka’s (a form of small marsupial), can be found.