Accessibility
An accessible holiday destination
Wadjemup / Rottnest Island is committed to ensuring everyone in the community can access, use, and enjoy the island and its facilities. Our goal is to create an inclusive holiday destination by focusing on key areas such as mobility equipment hire, transport, accommodation, accessible facilities, and on-island assistance.
Ferry services
Rottnest Express provides access and inclusion for people with all types of disability. Facilities to accommodate passengers with disabilities are available on Rottnest Express vessels, but not on all services.
If you require special assistance when travelling with Rottnest Express, call the reservations team on (+61) 1300 467 688, prior to booking ferry travel.
Wheelchair Access
- Certain voyages from the terminal at North Fremantle (Rous Head) are wheelchair accessible, including standard and motorised wheelchairs.
- Voyages from Perth CBD are not accessible for wheelchairs due to restrictions caused by a bend in the gangway.
- Due to the need to change levels within the vessel between embarkation and disembarkation, voyages from B Shed in Fremantle (Victoria Quay) are not wheelchair accessible.
- Please note that in the event of bad weather, high tides may cause slight difficulty during boarding or disembarking the ferry.
Mobility Scooter Access
- Due to space constraints, mobility scooters cannot be taken inside the vessels.
- They will be loaded onto the vessel in a designated crate with crew on hand to provide assistance during boarding and disembarkation.
- Wheelchairs will be available for any guests with mobility issues who require assistance boarding the vessel.
For more information visit the Rottnest Express website.
For Rottnest Fast Ferries, exploring the island is something that everyone should be able to enjoy. The fleet’s newest vessel, Harbour Master, is wheelchair accessible with special assistance toilets available on board.
If you require special assistance when travelling with Rottnest Fast Ferries, contact the reservations team on (+61 8) 9246 1039 prior to booking your travel. This ensures you can receive the necessary service and departure information.
For more information, visit the Rottnest Fast Ferries website.
All SeaLink Rottnest Island vessels are built to accommodate people with accessibility requirements, though options depend on the departure location.
To assist with passenger comfort and safety, all passengers travelling in a wheelchair will be given priority boarding. Please contact the reservations team on (+61) 1300 786 552 prior to booking your travel as there are limited wheelchair spaces on board.
If you have any questions, or want more information, contact the SeaLink team.
Air Services
A number of operators provide flights between the mainland and Wadjemup / Rottnest Island. For details on aircraft facilities available for people of all ages and abilities, please contact the operators individually.
Getting Around
Bus Services
The Discover Rottnest tour bus, and Quokka Coaches shuttle and tour buses are accessible; however, please call ahead to allow seats within the bus to be removed to accommodate your mobility equipment if required.
Mobility Equipment Hire
A range of mobility equipment is available to hire from Pedal & Flipper Hire. Electric scooters (gophers) can be delivered to the Visitor Centre for collection. All other equipment can be collected from Pedal & Flipper Hire.
A limited number of wheelchairs are available for loan from the Visitor Centre for single-day use (please note a deposit is required). Wheelchairs cannot be pre-booked so it is recommended that visitors bring their own wheelchair if the requirement is known in advance.
See below for equipment options and applicable hire fees, deposits and booking conditions.
Equipment | Hire Cost | Deposit | Booking Conditions |
Adult Tricycles | $36 for a single day $12 per additional day $20 per afternoon | $100 | Needs to be pre-booked (phone or email) . Available for extended hire. |
Beach Wheelchair | No Charge | $100 | Needs to be pre-booked (phone or email). Single day hire only. |
Electric Scooters (Gophers) | $47 for a single day $15 per additional day $31 per afternoon | $200 | Needs to be pre-booked (phone or email). Available for extended hire. |
Handcycle | $30 for a single day $14 per additional day $16 per afternoon | $100 | Needs to be pre-booked (phone or email). Available for extended hire. |
X-Rover Trailers | $51 for a single day $21 per additional day $27 per afternoon | $200 | Needs to be pre-booked (phone or email) . Available for extended hire. |
Tandem Bike | $65 for a single day $15 per additional day $40 per afternoon | $100 | Needs to be pre-booked (phone or email) . Available for extended hire. |
Golf Buggy | No charge | N/A | Permit to drive on Rottnest Island is required. Must be returned to Pedal & Flipper Hire daily (cannot be hired overnight). Needs to be pre-booked (phone or email). Single day hire only. |
Rear Steered Tricycles | $20 for a single day $10 per additional day | $100 | Needs to be pre-booked (phone or email). Available for extended hire. |
Contact Pedal & Flipper Hire for further information.
Toilet & Shower Facilities
Changing Places Facility
Rottnest Island has a fully accredited Changing Places facility for visitors with accessibility requirements. It is located at the Henderson Avenue ablution block – near the Holy Trinity Catholic Church. MLAK users are already able to access the facility. Keys can also be requested from the Visitor Centre.
For more information, please visit the Changing Places website.
Accessible Toilets
A number of accessible toilet and shower facilities are available across Wadjemup / Rottnest Island. These include the following locations:
- Visitor Centre, Thomson Bay
- Digby Drive - accessible toilet and separate parenting room. The parenting room has a fixed baby changing table, parent and child toilets next to each other and a place to feed in private.
- Henderson Ave, Thomson Bay - this unisex facility includes male and female changing rooms.
- Bedford Ave, Thomson Bay - this facility includes a push button operated, level access shower.
- Stay Rottnest Campground
- The Basin
- Geordie Bay
- Parker Point
- Stark Bay
- West End
INFORMATION SERVICES
The Visitor Centre is located within a wide open pedestrian space that connects the main ferry jetty to the Thomson Bay settlement. The knowledgeable team here are able to assist with wheelchair hire (free to hire, deposit required). Mobility equipment can also be delivered to the Visitor Centre from Pedal & Flipper Hire , ready for customer collection.
The team can also assist with accessible transport enquiries and tour bookings, including bookings using the Companion Card.
SERVICE DOG ASSISTANCE
Service dogs are permitted on Rottnest Island but due to it being a Class A Reserve, you should contact the rangers on (+61 8) 9372 9788 prior to your visit to advise them of the service dog prior to travelling.
ACCOMMODATION
Stay Rottnest
Stay Rottnest offers accessible accommodation options. If you require wheelchair accessible accommodation, please send your request to [email protected] during business hours Monday - Friday and don’t forget to attach a copy of your ACROD card (front and back).
For more information regarding bookings, visit the Stay Rottnest website.
Discovery Resorts – Rottnest Island
Superior Accessible Tents have been designed with more space to accommodate those with physical limitations and disabilities, with a fit out that complies with Australian Standard 1428. These are available with an added bunk annex to accommodate families and carers and are bookable via the Discovery Resorts website. For more information, call reception on (+61 8) 6350 6170.
Samphire Rottnest
Accessible rooms are available at Samphire Rottnest and are bookable via their website. Alternatively, you can contact Samphire Rottnest for more information by phone on (+61 8) 9292 5011 or by email [email protected].
The Lodge Wadjemup
Accessible poolside rooms are available at The Lodge Wadjemup. These generous rooms are newly built and thoughtfully combine contemporary, laidback design with high-end amenity, incorporating accessibility as a key priority. Rooms are bookable via the Lodge Wadjemup website. Or, for more information you can contact The Lodge Wadjemup via email [email protected].
