Rottnest Island Tourism Statistics

At a glance

• A record 890,061 visitors arrived on Rottnest Island by ferry in 2025–26, up 1% on 2024–25.¹
• That is an average of about 2,440 visitors a day.¹
• Visitor numbers have more than doubled since the pandemic low of 411,572 in 2020–21.²
• Interstate and international visitors made up more than 30% of ferry arrivals in 2024–25.³
• Visitors spent $283 million on the island in 2023, supporting 2,180 jobs across Western Australia.⁴
• Rottnest is home to an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 quokkas.⁵
• Visitors made 229,990 Pedal & Flipper bike hires in 2025–26.¹
• An adult same-day return ferry from Fremantle costs $87.50 to $90 in 2026–27, including the $21.50 island admission fee.⁶⁷
• The island lies 18 km west of Fremantle, off the coast of Perth, and is 11 km long and 4.5 km wide, with a land area of about 1,859 hectares.¹

The Rottnest Island Authority counts visitors arriving by ferry each financial year (July to June). A record 890,061 visitors arrived in 2025–26,¹ an average of about 2,440 a day. Numbers fell during the pandemic, when the island closed to visitors for 72 days from March 2020⁵, and have risen every year since 2020–21.

Summer is the warmest, driest and busiest time on Rottnest Island, while spring brings migrating whales and milder weather.

• Summer (December–February): average highs of 25–27°C and fewer than two rain days a month.¹⁰ Rottnest Express calls December to February peak season and recommends booking ferries ahead, especially then and on weekends.⁷
• Autumn (March–May): average highs ease from 26°C in March to 21°C in May, and rain days rise from about 2 to 8 a month.¹⁰
• Winter (June–August): the coolest and wettest months, with average highs of 18–19°C and 11–14 rain days a month.¹⁰
• Spring (September–November): humpback and southern right whales pass the island on their migration, and whale-watching boat tours run from September to November.¹¹ Average highs climb from 19°C to 23°C.¹⁰

Ferry prices vary by departure point, day of the week and season.⁷

The Rottnest Island Authority estimates the island is home to 10,000 to 12,000 quokkas, a species listed as vulnerable.⁵ That estimate comes from its 2019–20 annual report; later reports track the health of the population rather than publishing a new count.

• The authority rated the quokka population's health as good (90%) in 2025–26.¹
• Quokkas are protected on the island, which is a Class A Reserve.¹

In 2026–27, an adult same-day return ferry from Fremantle costs $87.50 to $90, including the $21.50 island admission fee every visitor pays.⁶⁷

• From Fremantle: Rottnest Express charges $87.50 for an adult same-day return⁷, and SeaLink from $90.⁶
• From Perth: SeaLink's adult same-day return from Barrack Street Jetty starts at $134.50.⁶
• Staying overnight: The admission fee rises to $28.50 on an extended return, so an adult return from Fremantle with Rottnest Express costs $94.50.⁷
• With bike hire: Rottnest Express ferry-and-bike packages start at $126.50.⁷