Whales at Sea, Rottnest on Land: A Day Out with Rottnest Express
Review by Jasmine, Ciara and Emily, 7 October 2026.
Rottnest Island is easy to reach from Fremantle with Rottnest Express and you can pack plenty into one day. We took the ferry across, headed out on a high-speed whale watching boat tour with marine biologists on board, stopped for lunch at Frankie's Cafe, then explored the island on the Discover Rottnest Bus Tour before the ferry home.
Rottnest Express day tour: key details
- Tour: Rottnest Express day tour, with the Whale Watching Adventure Boat Tour and the Discover Rottnest Bus Tour
- Region: Destination Perth
- Departs: B Shed, Fremantle (our ferry left at 9:30am)
- Returns: Ferry from Rottnest Island at 4:30pm, arriving at B Shed, Fremantle
- Highlights: Ferry crossing, high-speed whale watching boat tour, lunch at Frankie's Cafe, Discover Rottnest Bus Tour
- On board the Whale Watching boat: Marine biologists providing educational commentary, plus a full safety briefing
- Best for: Anyone! Locals or visitors interested Rottnest’s history and wildlife
- Book: https://www.wavisitorcentre.com.au/rottnest-express-ex-fremantle or contact us
Our day on the island
- 9:30am, ferry to Rottnest: The ferry leaves from B Shed in Fremantle and arrives at the Rottnest ferry terminal.
- 10:30am, whale watching boat tour: The tour leaves from the main jetty terminal. The boat is fast, so you can see the island from the sea and take in the natural environment with ease, while marine biologists on board share what you're seeing.
- 12:00pm, lunch at Frankie's Cafe: A break on the island (lunch not included in package price)
- 1:30pm, Discover Rottnest Bus Tour: The bus tour starts from the Rottnest bus terminal and takes you around the island, with plenty to see and learn about its history, scenery and conservation. There is a tour host and a driver, with the highlight being the stop at the West End of Island to see Ospreys and Fur Seals.
- 4:30pm, ferry back to Fremantle: The ferry returns from the Rottnest ferry terminal to B Shed in Fremantle.
Getting to Fremantle
You can drive into Fremantle and park at B Shed, or catch the train to Fremantle.
Favourite moments
The whale watching crew. The boat staff were highly experienced and very knowledgeable about the whales, and the full safety briefing at the start prepared everyone well for the ride.
A relaxed, interactive bus tour. The Rottnest Express bus tour guide created a relaxed vibe and asked interactive questions, while the friendly driver made everyone feel welcome. The bus itself was very clean, with massive windows for taking in the views.
Learning about the island. The bus tour was packed with information about Rottnest's history, scenery and conservation.
Snorkelling. There was time to snorkel on the island, which was a highlight for Ciara.
Worth knowing
- The whale watching boat is a high-speed boat that moves quite quickly, so it may not suit guests with back problems
- A full safety briefing is given before the boat ride
- Humpback Whales are seasonal from Perth from late August through to early November.
- The tour suits ages 10 and over
Final thoughts
By sea in the morning and by road in the afternoon, the Rottnest Express day tour is a great way to see Rottnest Island from two angles in one day, with expert guides on the water and a friendly crew on the bus. It suits locals looking for a day trip and visitors wanting to see the island properly.
This review was written by the WA Visitor Centre team after taking the tour. See more Staff Reviews | Book the Rottnest Express day tour