Perth, Fremantle and Rottnest Island
Three easy days around Western Australia's capital: city views, the old port of Fremantle, a ferry to the quokkas of Rottnest Island and an optional taste of the Swan Valley.
- Distance
- 113 km (70 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 14 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 11
- States
- Western Australia
- Updated
- April 29, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 113 km (70 mi) with 11 stops, from Perth to Swan Valley wine and food trail. About 1 h 14 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Western Australia · More road trips from Perth
Route description
Start in Perth with a morning at Kings Park, where the lookouts over the Swan River and the city are an easy walk from the car park and the botanic garden shows local wildflowers, at their best around September. From there it is about 15 minutes by car to Cottesloe Beach, a good place for a swim and an Indian Ocean sunset. Parking is tight on summer weekends.
Fremantle lies about 20 km south-west of Perth, roughly 25 minutes by car or a short train ride. Spend the day in the old port: a guided tour of UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison, the Round House and Whalers Tunnel on the headland, the Victorian markets, and lunch at the Fishing Boat Harbour. The centre is compact and walkable, so park once and leave the vehicle.
Take a ferry to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), 19 km offshore; the crossing from Fremantle takes about half an hour, and tickets sell out in summer, so book ahead. The island is largely car-free, so hire a bike or use the bus. Look for quokkas around Thomson Bay, snorkel at Little Salmon Bay, and bring water, sunscreen and a hat, because shade is scarce.
With extra time, drive about 25 km north-east of Perth to the Swan Valley, Western Australia's oldest wine region. Cellar doors, breweries and chocolate makers are spread along quiet roads around Guildford and Herne Hill. Arrange a designated driver or a tour, and head back to Perth before dusk, when kangaroos become more active on the outer roads.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Perth
Western Australia - 24 km
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
ViewsPerth, Western AustraliaA 400-hectare park on a ridge above the Swan River, with bushland, a botanic garden of Western Australian plants and the best skyline view in Perth. Wildflowers peak in spring, around September.
- 310 km
Cottesloe Beach
NaturePerth, Western AustraliaPerth's classic city beach, with white sand, calm swimming and Indian Ocean sunsets that draw crowds on summer evenings. Swim between the flags when lifesavers are on duty, and arrive early for weekend parking.
- 49 km
Fremantle
Western Australia - 52 km
Fremantle Prison
HistoryFremantle, Western AustraliaA convict-built limestone prison from the 1850s that held inmates until 1991. It is part of the UNESCO-listed Australian Convict Sites, and guided tours cover the cell blocks, the tunnels and the gallows.
- 62 km
Round House, Fremantle
HistoryFremantle, Western AustraliaWestern Australia's oldest surviving public building, a twelve-sided limestone jail completed in 1831 on a headland at the Fremantle harbour entrance. Below it, the Whalers Tunnel cuts through the rock to the water.
- 71 km
Fremantle Markets
FoodFremantle, Western AustraliaA Victorian market hall that has traded since 1897, now full of local produce, coffee, craft and street food. It is the easiest way to feel Fremantle's port-town character, but it only opens on certain days, so check ahead.
- 81 km
Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour
FoodFremantle, Western AustraliaA working harbour where trawlers unload and waterfront cafes serve fish and chips, calamari and local seafood. Sit on the quay with the pelicans and watch the boats come in, and guard your chips from the gulls.
- 924 km
Rottnest Island (Wadjemup)
NatureFremantle, Western AustraliaA largely car-free island 19 km off Fremantle where the friendly quokka lives around the Thomson Bay settlement. Hire a bike, swim in clear bays and look but never feed or touch the animals. Book ferries early in summer.
- 103 km
Little Salmon Bay, Rottnest
NatureFremantle, Western AustraliaA sheltered bay on Rottnest's western side with a marked underwater snorkel trail over reef, fish and clear water. Calm conditions are best, and the island's main road passes close by, so combine it with a bike ride.
- 1159 km
Swan Valley wine and food trail
FoodPerth, Western AustraliaWestern Australia's oldest wine region, a short drive from Perth along the Swan River, with cellar doors, breweries, chocolate and farm produce. Many tastings need a designated driver; the flat land suits a cycling day.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Perth → Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour · 28 km · 0 h 18 minOn the way: Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Cottesloe Beach, Fremantle, Fremantle Prison, Round House, Fremantle, Fremantle Markets.
- Day 2: Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour → Little Salmon Bay, Rottnest · 26 km · 0 h 17 minOn the way: Rottnest Island (Wadjemup).
- Day 3: Little Salmon Bay, Rottnest → Swan Valley wine and food trail · 59 km · 0 h 38 min
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March and November. Hot in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Perth, Fremantle and Rottnest Island?
3-day road trip of about 113 km (70 mi) with 11 stops, from Perth to Swan Valley wine and food trail. About 1 h 14 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Perth, Fremantle and Rottnest Island?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 14 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Perth, Fremantle and Rottnest Island start and end?
It starts in Perth and ends in Swan Valley wine and food trail.
Which states does Perth, Fremantle and Rottnest Island pass through?
Western Australia.
When is the best time for Perth, Fremantle and Rottnest Island?
The most pleasant months are usually April–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
