Island Ferry Tickets in Australia: 15 Ranked on What Lands in the Price

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

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

Take SeaLink from Perth or Fremantle to Rottnest Island, then tour the island by air-conditioned bus with live English commentary. The 105-minute route visits Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, Cathedral Rocks, and Cape Vlamingh, with free time for beaches, food, and quokka spotting. Guides such as Leah, Barney, and Jason have earned special praise.

“Excellent trip out on the ferry to Rottnest. Comfortable seats and free ice block too. Well organised tour with knowledagble guide for the bus”

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2.Moreton Island Return Ferry & Adventure Day Pass

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

Take an early ferry from Brisbane’s Holt Street Wharf to Tangalooma Island Resort for a self-directed day of kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling, beach time, and resort facilities. The shipwrecks are the main draw, with tropical fish and possible turtle sightings. Bring water, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel, and expect extra charges for wetsuits, lockers, meals, and optional activities.

“It was everything I expected and got a bonus on the ferry ride back with a sighting of a whale and her calf. Amazing day!”

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3.Taronga Zoo Ticket with Return Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,142 reviews · 1 day · from $55

Collect your Fantasea Cruises ticket at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay, then take the ferry to Taronga Zoo for a self-guided day among more than 5,000 animals. See kangaroos, tigers, birds, elephants, and native species, attend free keeper talks, and return by ferry. Allow time for steep paths, stairs, and changing departure times.

“The best zoo we've ever been to. the views are spectacular. Booking with the return ferry meant we could avoid the queues of the public ferry too.”

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4.Rottnest Island Ferry and Bike Day Tour

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

Take the fast ferry from Fremantle to Rottnest Island, collect your included bike at the jetty, and spend the day riding between bays, beaches, and quokka spots. You set the pace, with time for swimming, snorkelling, lunch, and photos. The full island loop takes about 3 to 5 hours, with hills and wind along the way.

“Rottenest island is a great day out, I would recommend it to anyone. The quokka's are just excellent.”

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5.Taronga Zoo Entry & Return Ferry – Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 722 reviews · from $56

Take Captain Cook Cruises from Circular Quay Wharf 6 to Taronga Zoo, then explore 2,900 animals at your own pace. See koalas, kangaroos, seals, giraffes, and Australian wildlife, with keeper talks and animal shows scheduled daily. Allow four to eight hours, and take the first ferry if you want time for the whole zoo.

“While the ferry ride and zoo were nice ... we specifically said we wanted to go for the crocodile only to find there was no crocodile at the zoo. We even asked prior to buying tickets and again when we got off the ferry. A zoo staff told us at the bus stop that the large croc had to be moved but they had a fresh water croc to see - only to find out that wasn't true either. The other animal exhibits were nice. Food options limited and expensive. We could have spent time on another tour if we had been told the truth. Nice views from the ferry…”

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6.Fitzroy Island Ferry w/ Snorkel, Lunch, Tour Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 715 reviews · from $69

Take Sunlover Reef Cruises from Cairns to Fitzroy Island for beaches, rainforest walks and 4.5 hours of free time. Add snorkel gear, a picnic lunch or a glass-bottom boat ride. Guides including Andrea, Victor, Georgina and Carmen have helped make the reef activities clear, friendly and easy to follow.

“Fantastic!!! The crossing is quite fast and we find ourselves in a beautiful and totally exotic place. The free time left on the island allows both a small hike in the forest (very well marked) and snorkling in different places. An unforgettable day with landscapes worthy of the most beautiful paradisiacal islands.”

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7.Rottnest Island Ferry & Bike Trip

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

Take the Rottnest Express from Perth to Rottnest Island, with Swan River commentary on the outward trip, then collect a hire bike and explore independently. You have about a full day for beaches, quokkas, bays, and swimming. Allow 3 to 5 hours to ride the island, and bring food, water, sunscreen, and a towel.

“A fantastic way (by bike) to view the island. Great to be able to stop, enjoy a beach and swim to cool down before traveling to the next one. Food was delicious at Frankie's. Beer well deserved after all the exercise!”

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8.Rottnest Island Ferry & Bus Day Tour

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

Take the 25-minute ferry from Fremantle to Rottnest Island, then circle the island on a 90-minute air-conditioned coach tour with an English-speaking guide. You’ll see beaches, bays, Wadjemup Lighthouse, quokkas, and key cultural sites before enjoying free time to swim, eat, or explore on foot.

“had a wonderful day, the guides were great and the views amazing. Will definitely do again.”

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9.Rottnest Island Round-Trip Ferry from Perth

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

Take the Rottnest Express from Perth or Fremantle to Rottnest Island for a self-guided day among 63 beaches, 20 bays, walking trails, and quokkas. From Perth, enjoy Swan River commentary before the ocean crossing. You arrange bikes, snorkel gear, food, and activities yourself, then return by ferry the same day.

“Just ask questions as to where everything is, not a lot of signs or help, do your reseach first, and it will be a lot less stressfull!”

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10.Fremantle to Rottnest Island Roundtrip Ferry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 218 reviews · from $62

Take a same-day SeaLink ferry from Fremantle to Rottnest Island, with a crossing of about 35 minutes each way. You get roughly seven hours on Rotto for beaches, walks, quokka spotting, food, and island transport. The ticket includes admission and return travel, but not meals, hotel transfers, bikes, or other activities.

“Good service, staff very professional and friendly. Nice trip over and back. Would recommend company.”

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11.Fitzroy Island Ferry, optional lunch, tours, snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 216 reviews · from $69

Take Sunlover Reef Cruises from Cairns to Fitzroy Island for four and a half hours of free time. Choose transfers only, or add a picnic lunch box, snorkeling equipment, and a glass-bottom boat ride. Walk to Nudey Beach, explore rainforest tracks, or snorkel straight from the shore.

“Self guided snorkeling and lunch buffet was the best!”

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12.Magnetic Island Round-Trip Ferry From Townsville

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · from $32Best value

Take a SeaLink North Queensland ferry from Townsville to Nelly Bay in about 20 minutes. Your return ticket stays valid for six months, giving you time for beaches, koala spotting, walks, swimming, dining, or an overnight stay. Buses meet ferry arrivals, and departures run up to 17 times daily.

“Fat efficient and reliable. Friendly staff who are well presented. Would travel with them again. Although writing 100 words is a bit hard.”

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13.Rottnest Island Roundtrip Fast Ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $65

Take a fast 40-minute ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour to Rottnest Island, then spend the day your way. Swim at one of 63 bays, spot quokkas, hire a bike, ride the hop-on hop-off bus, visit Wadjemup Lighthouse, or enjoy lunch in the Settlement. Return by the 4:30pm ferry.

“Book early for bikes Hop on hop off bus available every 20mins very good. $30 pp. If u meet any of the volunteers they are a wealth of information”

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14.Rottnest Island Fast Ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour Including Bike Hire

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 102 reviews · from $86

Take a roughly 45-minute fast ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour to Rottnest Island, collect a hired bike and helmet, then set your own route. Ride among 63 bays and beaches, Wadjemup Lighthouse, and scenic coastal roads before returning by ferry. Hotel pickup is available from selected Perth hotels.

“Great value for money. Got collected from a nearby hotel, a ferry over to the island with bike hire. Back in Perth around 6pm. A great day out ❤️”

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15.2 day Ultimate Kangaroo Island with return ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 77 reviews · from $574

Travel from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island by ferry and air-conditioned coach for two busy days of wildlife, national parks, local food, and island stories. You’ll walk among sea lions at Seal Bay, see Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, hold birds of prey at Raptor Domain, and visit honey, eucalyptus, and wine producers. Guides such as Hamish, Adam, Dani, and Will add local insight.

“We had an amazing experience of seeing kangaroo island on this tour with our guides-Dani and will . They were so friendly and commentary all day was so interesting and fun.Would highly recommend this tour.”

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