Special Assistance

Rottnest Express, as a service provider to the Rottnest Island Authority, commits to providing access and inclusion for people with all types of disability, including, but not limited to, sensory (including people who with visual and/or auditory impairments), neurological, physical (including people who are in a wheelchair or mobility scooter), cognitive, intellectual and psychiatric.

Rottnest Express does have the facilities to accommodate passengers with disabilities on our vessels, such as wheelchair use, however not on all services.

If you require special assistance when travelling with Rottnest Express, we kindly ask you to please notify us via our reservations line on 1300 467 688 during business hours before you make your booking. This allows passengers to receive the necessary service and departure terminal information. Failure to notify us of your requirements may result in the service being unavailable on arrival at the ferry terminal.

Wheelchair Access

• Certain voyages from Northport Terminal are wheelchair accessible, including standard and motorized wheelchairs.
• Perth voyages are not accessible for wheelchairs due to being unable to navigate the gangway, due to a bend in the gangway.
• B Shed voyages are not wheelchair accessible due to having to change levels within the vessel between embarkation and disembarkation.
• No Rottnest Express transfer buses are wheelchair accessible. (Unless passengers are able to navigate stairs)
• High tides due to bad weather may cause slight difficulty during boarding or disembarkation.
• Due to limitations when loading passengers on to the Eco Express Speed Boat, the Adventure Rottnest tour and Thrill Ride are not wheelchair accessible.
• The Discover Rottnest bus is wheelchair accessible however we ask you to please call in advance to let us know to allow seats within the bus to be removed to accommodate the wheelchair.

To assist with passenger comfort and safety, any passengers who are travelling in a wheelchair will be given priority boarding and permitted onboard the vessel first.

Mobility Scooter Access

Due to space constraints within the vessels, mobility scooters cannot be taken inside the vessels and they will be loaded on to the vessel in a designated crate. The crew will be on hand to provide assistance during embarkation and disembarkation at the departure location on the day of travel and the crew will be able to supply a wheelchair to assist any guests with mobility access issues board the vessel.

To assist with passenger comfort and safety, any passengers who were travelling on a mobility scooter will be given priority boarding and permitted onboard the vessel first.
 

travelling with a pram

Passengers travelling with prams or strollers are welcome on any Rottnest Express service. Prams are to be folded prior to boarding and stowed securely in an area directed by the crew. Children should then be seated with a parent or guardian.

To assist with passenger comfort and safety, any passengers bringing a pram will be given priority boarding after folding and stowing pram.

Companion Card Holders

The Companion Card is issued by the National Disability Services to people with a significant and permanent disability who require attendant care support from a companion to make use of most venues and participate in activities. Rottnest Express accepts Companion Cards to allow the companion to travel free of charge on any Rottnest Express ferry or Rottnest Express tour.

Any extras such as lunches or tours that are operated by third party operators cannot be booked through Rottnest Express. The Companion Cardholder should contact the business direct to enquire if they accept Companion Cards.

Companion card bookings cannot be processed online so to book:

• Companion cardholders simply call 1300 467 688 and advise that they are companion cardholders.
• On the day of travel present your companion card to our reservations team at your chosen departure terminal ticket office to collect your boarding passes.

Service Dog Assistance

A Service Dog is trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability. Service Dogs include Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Assistance Dogs. Service dogs travel free of charge on all Rottnest Express services however as Rottnest Island is an A Class reserve you should contact the Rangers on Rottnest (08) 9372 9788 to advise them of the service dog.