Rottnest Island Historical Train and Tunnel Tour from Hillarys Boat Harbour
Description
Do you want to learn about Rottnest's involvement in World War II? Hop on a high-speed ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour to Rottnest Island, then enjoy a train ride up to Oliver Hill and a guided tour of the tunnel system and 9.2 inch diameter guns that form an integral part of Rottnest's military history. Please note that this is a physically demanding 45-minute tour with approximately 700 metres walking and 240+ uneven steps (equivalent to a 8-storey climb). 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 at all times.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Hillarys Boat Harbour is a tourist precinct, offering high end shopping, cafes, restaurants and bars. Enjoy time at the Harbour after your day on Rottnest Island.
Depart on your journey with Rottnest Fast Ferries, we have the newest and most spacious ferry travelling to Rottnest Island. Arrive at Hillarys Boat Harbour to commence your exciting day.
Make your way to the Rottnest Island Settlement Train Station to board the historic Captain Hussey train and begin your tour. Enjoy the views from the train as you make your way up to Oliver Hill.
This attraction is a significant icon representing the defence of 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. Whilst in this tour you will have the opportunity to discover the hidden secrets of this attraction through a guided tour. Please note this tour is not suitable for those with mobility issues and children needing to be carried (except those in infant carriers). There are over 240 steps involved in the tour.
After your tour, take the train back down the hill to the Rottnest Island Settlement and enjoy your free time on the island. The Visitor Centre is a great resource hub! Then take the fast ferry back to Hillarys. Make your way back to Perth on our return hotel transfer service from selected Perth hotels, if selected (must be prebooked) or via your own transport (free parking available).
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Courtesy Coach transfers available from hotels in Perth CBD, Northbridge and Scarborough. Please notify us at the time of booking if you require this service so that we can book in a pick up from your closest hotel.
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
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please note that this is a physically demanding 45-minute tour with approximately 700 metres walking and 240+ uneven steps (equivalent to a 8-storey climb). 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 at all times.
- Not permitted for travelers with mobility issues and children needing to be carried due to the large number of steps (approximately 240) to be climbed and descended as well as uneven surfaces.
Reviews(24)
Get to the island to make the most of what's on offer, and maybe stay overnight. The quokas are pretty common I. The settlement
This experience is amazing! Free Perth Pick up to the Jetty is a bonus point! We had a wonderful day on the island!
The tour was called the Grand Island Tour - Full Day but the system will not let me name it . My small family group of four had two elderly family members whose mobility situation was limited to walking sticks and very slow pace. The only point to consider with this tour to not consider for elderly people who walk very slowly. The person at the ticket collection office at Hilarys advised that our elderly family members would cope and stated at the Rottnest Island information desk we could arrange a golf cart/buggy to assist with getting our family members to the train stop tour pick up. We were advised that there would be a fee. The information desk, looked at us weird and declared there is no such service. So if you have elderly members with walking frame or sticks, this may not be a suitable tour. So some misinformation about that. We were worried we would not make the tour on time. As you only have 15 minutes from the Ferry to the pick up area. There is bunker tour which a lso stops elderly members completing, but we knew about this, due to the information and our tour guide - Fiona. Besides this early situation, the tour was great, which is mainly due to Fiona who was very mindful of our limited mobile family members and advising what we need to be prepared at the different stops. What also made it interesting, Fiona was very informative about the different areas of the island and where the best photo shots. Thank you for an amazing day tour. The Ferry travel to and back from Rottnest Island was good. The train part was funny and great. The only other feedback, the small lunch is eaten on the bus while they are driving around the island. It is a shame there is not a rest area we could stop to eat the meal properly . Nice small light lunch. Thanks again Fiona for the quality and amazing service you provided.
Study the map before arriving to the island. Got lost trying to find where the train was from the jetty. Get the train and do the tunnel tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and train driver very funny. Great experience with the quokkas around you while having lunch. Ferry ride was great.
It was one of the best tours we have done .... thank you we have done tours all over Europe ... this tour was one of the best we have done
Watch out for the seagulls at lunch time. A very friendly island. The ferry and train tour was a great and the staff polite and knowledgeable.
No full dialogue on the website about what the trip entails. The reception where you get the map and tickets doesn’t explain anything, and the map that you get is confusing. Don’t get off at stop 4 on the hop on/ off bus-stop 4 on the map refers to a different service not noted on the map. Reception is slow and not extremely helpful. Please ask island staff well ahead of time👌
Our pic up was 1.5 miles from our hotel!At pickup hotel ,no description offered by company.Pickup was 1.5 hours before ferry sailed.The only guide on this “tour “ is a volunteer on the Guns experience,there are no other guides of any kind.Only return time offered was printed on the ticket that is given to you at Hillary’s office.Isalnd experience is as just OK,we would not book again!
The train ride was scenic and my son loved being able to drive and press the horn. The history tour of tunnels was informative.
Being interested in history this was a must for me. The train was not running so a bus replaced it; no issue really. We done the tour with Ian, it was very enlightening and comprehensive. You get to explore the full complex!
Hi Shinester888, Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad you enjoyed the WWII local history tour, and it's great to hear that Ian’s insights made it even more enlightening. We appreciate your understanding with the train replacement, and we’re happy you were able to fully explore the complex. We hope to welcome you back for more historical adventures soon! Thanks, from the team at Rottnest Fast Ferries.
