Rottnest Island Grand Tour Including Lunch and Historical Train Ride
Description
Take a 4-hour guided train/coach tour around Rottnest Island. Start with a historical train ride and tour of WWII Oliver Hill Guns and Tunnels. After a picnic lunch (included), explore the island by coach. Make a stop at Wadjemup Lighthouse, and learn about the Noongar (Aboriginal) history. Enjoy the views from Jeannie's Lookout and see the fur seal colony at Cathedral Rocks at the beautiful West End. Please note that the 45-minute Oliver Hill Guns and Tunnels Tour component includes approx. 700 metres walking and 240+ uneven steps. There are no rest stops and no backtracking once inside. No carrying of children is permitted except for small infants in baby carriers (which allow the accompanying adult to have both hands free for the railings in the tunnels). Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The tour takes place in enclosed tunnels - please watch for low ceilings, uneven surfaces and other trip hazards - and follow guide instructions.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Travel up to Oliver Hill by historic trolley train. Enjoy the view from the top and then take part in a guided tour around this historic attraction, representing the defence of Western Australia during World War II. Over the years it has been highlighted as a significant heritage site and features the defence facilities and mechanisms that were in place to defend major Australian ports overwhelmed by warships during the war.
After a light lunch (included), hop on our coach to continue your tour. Take in the stunning ocean views from Jeannies Lookout and admire the fringing reef.
Enjoy the spectacular views at the West End and pay a visit to the long nose fur seal colony at Cathedral Rocks.
The many salt lakes occupy approximately 10 per cent of the area. Notable ones include Lake Baghdad, Lake Vincent, Herschel Lake, Garden Lake, Government House Lake and Serpentine Lake. These lakes are permanent and are always accessible all year around, other notable lakes that may dry up throughout the summer period include Pink Lake, Lake Sirius, Lake Negri and the twin Pearse Lakes. These salt lake are known to turn pink as a result of the interaction between the algae and salt that grows in the water. When the right mixture of salt and sunlight interact with the algae a red pigment known as beta carotene is accumulated resulting in the pink tinge to the water.
Pass by this historical lighthouse, built in 1896 and still operating today, boasting a range of 26 nautical miles.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note: This tour does not include ferry transport to and from the island; this must be booked separately on your preferred ferry operator
- Infant meals not included
- Please note that the 45-minute Oliver Hill Guns and Tunnels Tour component includes approx. 700 metres walking and 240+ uneven steps. There are no rest stops and no backtracking once inside. No carrying of children is permitted except for small infants in baby carriers (which allow the accompanying adult to have both hands free for the railings in the tunnels). Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. The tour takes place in enclosed tunnels - please watch for low ceilings, uneven surfaces and other trip hazards - and follow guide instructions.
Reviews(74)
Train ride was fun. Was told when started that tunnels tour involved equivalent of 8 storeys of stairs, so several people couldn't do it. Fortunately, a lovely volunteer guide, Marianna, gave us an informative tour of the guns etc above ground. She was great. Rest of tour was just too much time soent on bus, with a few rushed photo stops. Be aware very few toilets along the way. Sometimes had to choose between looking at view or using bathroom. All in all, wish I had just taken the hop on/hop off bus.
The first part of the tour, which was the train ride up to Oliver Hill and then the tour of the guns and tunnels was pretty good, but as I understand it, packaged in with Quokka Tours but neither run by Quokka Tours (the tunnel tour was run by a volunteer). Then we jumped on a bus to Cathedral rocks (stop was too short), a stop at one of the beaches for a few minutes, and then to the lighthouse for also a very short stop. The bus tour was very very dull. I'm sorry, and I don't mean to be rude but it was frustrating hearing about things like the islands's power grid, the staff amenities (which for some reason we drove past), the golf course etc. It was comprehensive but frustrating. I regret not just taking the hop on/off bus and just being able to take it at my own pace
We booked the Grand Island Tour through the SeaLink Ferry Office at Barrack St Quay. They were very helpful, even down to checking the weather forecasts for the following week to recommend the badt day to go - which turned out to be very helpful as both the day before and after our visit were very windy and the sea part of the trip would have been pretty choppy. The ferry leaves precisely on time with a lovely one hour river cruise down to Fremantle, followed by 30 minutes to Rottnest, which was a bit bumpy going over, but very smooth coming back On arrival you have an hour to get your bearings in the small town, maybe grab a coffee, and find the Settlement Railway station, where our guide for the day, Kevin, was waiting. The train ride was on original old tracks and good fun, with an informative driver. The Gunnery Tour was very interesting and led by a very well informed volunteer. On completion, Kevin was waiting for us and the remaining 2 hours was a bus your around the island, with an excellent commentary punctuated with lots of personal anecdotes, as Kevin has been visiting Rottnest for 70 odd years, since he was 2 - and he has a lovely sense of humour. We arrived back in the town at 3 30, which allowed about 45 mins to check out the few shops and bars around. A great way to experience the island in a day, especially if cycling is not your thing. And it's a great way to learn just how you would plan your next visit, without the Tour. Definitely somewhere I'd like to come back to if I make it back to this part of the world- though I'd hope to catch up with Kevin again, as he made the day very special. The ferry ride back was lovely and smooth, and perfect for a sundowner while watching the sun set on the trip back to Perth. Highly recommend, though check the weather forecasts before booking.
Very enjoyable. However spend too much time at the tunnels. Would have liked a bit more time to take pictures of the scenery. Guide informative. Lunch just a wrap and water but adequate.
This was an excellent way to see the island. It was very hot so touring on a bike would have been tough! Had a few stops along the way with a bit of military history, stunning beaches and most importantly seeing the quokkas close up in their natural environment. The tour was hosted by the fabulous Nicky who was very friendly and knowledgeable! Highly recommend
Wonderful experience, we loved our tour, especially Kevin, he was so informative. Will be back be sure to go back.
This tour is great to get an understanding of the history and an overview of what the island has to offer. We used it as an introduction then followed up on a subsequent day to ride around the island taking time to soak in the beauty.
Our guide Kevin and his wife, the train driver were both informative and helpful. Knowledgeable Kevin brought us safe around the island. Sara at Oliver Hill was excellent guide, also extremely knowledgeable. Only downside was the overcrowded train ride. Additional tickets had been sold to people who didn’t do the grand tour. Lunch GF was super!
Great way to see Rottnest in a day. Barney was our guide and he was welcoming and fun. The coach was comfortable and clean and we got to see the bulk of the Island in comfort, back at jetty in time for our departing ferry. Excellent value for money and a great way to spend the day. And then there’s the Quokkas……
Wow thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are so pleased to hear you enjoyed our tour and you were able to soak in all the highlights of Rottnest! We hope to welcome you back soon. Thanks, Australian Pinnacle Tours team.
Firstly Pinnacle tours are a very professional company. This tour was great - pickup from our perth hotel. Great ferry trip then a walk to the train. Everything was organised well. Train was cute. Then bus to Oliver Hill. Very interesting and the tunnels were a highlight. The volunteers were fabulous… The rest of the tour around the island was informative and pleasant. Theres some fabulous beaches there. Ending at the Township with the shops and cafes and of course all the Quokkas. Cute little things, luckily we’ve seen quite a few on the bus trip. The driver seem to know where they like to be and he would stop and let us have a look.. it was fun watching the sea planes come in and out, unfortunately when we got home there was news that a plane had crashed with loss of life.. very sad indeed
Hi karenm642, Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour, from the ferry ride to the tunnels at Oliver Hill and those cheeky quokkas. We agree—the volunteers are fantastic! Our thoughts are with those affected by the seaplane incident; it was indeed very sad news. Thanks, from the team at Australian Pinnacle Tours.
