Two kinds of boat leave the Perth city waterfront a short walk apart, and only one goes to Fremantle. Transperth's ferry crosses the Swan to South Perth and back; the trip down the river to Victoria Quay is a Captain Cook Cruises sightseeing service, and yes, you can buy it one way.
Captain Cook Cruises' published departures and days of operation for April–October and November–March, read on 1 October 2026; the operator says its timetable can change at any time and it does not sail on Christmas Day Captain Cook Cruises (WA) – One Way Cruise from Perth to Fremantle · 2026-10-01
Compare the ways from central Perth to Fremantle and the boat comes out the dearest, and the only one with a view. Transperth's own ferry is no help: its single route shuttles between Elizabeth Quay Jetty and South Perth's Mends Street Jetty, and no Transperth boat goes near Fremantle. The public-transport option is the Transperth train to Fremantle station, on a Go Anywhere fare of $3.50. The river option is Captain Cook Cruises, a sightseeing operator owned by SeaLink since 2016, which sails from Barrack Street Jetty to Victoria Quay in 1 hour 15 minutes.
Captain Cook does sell the trip in one direction only, which is what most people searching for a ferry want. Until the end of October it runs twice a day, at 11:15 and 14:15 from Perth and 12:45 and 15:45 from Fremantle, on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; from November to March the same four sailings run every day except Wednesday. A one-way adult ticket is $49 until 31 October and $52 from November, against $65 for a return cruise that goes to Fremantle and straight back.
So the choice is simple enough: if you want Fremantle's streets for the afternoon, take the one-way boat down and the train home; if you just want the river, take the return cruise and stay on board.
The one-way fare is the same in both directions, and it rises on 1 November with the summer timetable. A return costs less than two singles: the operator sells the round trip as a 2 hour 45 minute scenic cruise that turns around in Fremantle and heads straight back, so it suits sightseeing rather than a day in Freo.
Children's fares cover ages 4 to 12, and under-fours travel free with an infant ticket. Concession fares apply to seniors and concession card holders, full-time students aged 14 to 25 and YHA, VIP or Nomad members, with ID shown at check-in. Payment is by card only, in full at booking, with a 1.25 per cent card surcharge.
| Adult | $ 49 |
| Concession or student | $ 45 |
| Child 4–12 | $ 35 |
| Infant 0–3 | Free |
| Family, 2 adults and 2 children | $ 135 |
| Adult | $ 52 |
| Concession or student | $ 48 |
| Child 4–12 | $ 37 |
| Infant 0–3 | Free |
| Family, 2 adults and 2 children | $ 142 |
| Adult | $ 65 |
| Concession or student | $ 58 |
| Child 4–12 | $ 42 |
| Family, 2 adults and 2 children | $ 172 |
| Adult | $ 69 |
| Concession or student | $ 63 |
| Child 4–12 | $ 45 |
| Family, 2 adults and 2 children | $ 181 |
| Standard, cash or contactless card | $ 3.50 |
| Standard, SmartRider (10% off) | $ 3.15 |
| Standard, SmartRider on Autoload (20% off) | $ 2.80 |
| Concession, cash | $ 1.60 |
Captain Cook fares for April–October 2026 and from November 2026, and Transperth fares effective 1 January 2026, all read on 1 October 2026 Captain Cook Cruises (WA) – One Way Cruise from Fremantle to Perth · 2026-10-01
The boat follows the Swan all the way down: past the Bell Tower and the old Swan Brewery below Kings Park, the Crawley Edge Boatshed that Perth calls the Blue Boat House, the Royal Perth Yacht Club and the riverside mansions, then the cliffs of Blackwall Reach and the sandspit at Point Walter before the working port at Fremantle. The skipper talks you through it. Within the city, the Transperth boat to Mends Street only crosses the water, and from Barrack Street the city departures to Rottnest run down this same river before heading out to sea.
Captain Cook's Perth ticket counter is on Pier 3 of Barrack Square, on the waterfront by the Bell Tower. The operator puts the Elizabeth Quay train station and busport about 400 metres away, and the free Blue CAT bus stops at the jetty as stop 2. Parking on the jetty itself is paid and limited to two or three hours, so for a whole day in Fremantle the operator points drivers to the Terrace Road or Council House car parks. Do not confuse this pier with Elizabeth Quay Jetty, where Transperth's South Perth ferry leaves.
In Fremantle the operator's FAQ places its ticket counter near B Shed on Victoria Quay, a five-to-ten-minute walk from Fremantle station. B Shed is being rebuilt, and the Rottnest ferry desks that used it have moved along the quay, as we explain on our Fremantle to Rottnest page; Captain Cook does not mention the works, so confirm where to check in when you book the trip back to Perth. The free Red CAT has a stop on Victoria Quay at A Shed.
The operator asks passengers to be checked in at its counter 30 minutes or more before sailing; if the counter is shut, the crew checks you in at the boat.
Seating on the one-way and scenic cruises is unreserved and couples may share a long table. Board early for a window.
Captain Cook says its Perth–Fremantle vessels take bikes and luggage, so you can take the boat down and keep the bike for Fremantle.
The operator says mobility access is limited on all its Swan River boats and that toilets may be down narrow stairs. Call (08) 9325 3341 before booking if that matters.
Fares are paid in full by card when you book, online, by phone or in person, with a 1.25 per cent surcharge. Cash is not accepted.
The company has been on the river since 1980, when it was set up under the ownership of Boat Torque Cruises, then the Rottnest operator. Two of its staff, Tony Baker and John Goodbody, bought it after the 1987 America's Cup defence, and SeaLink Marine & Tourism took it over on 29 April 2016. Its flagship, the MV James Stirling, was launched on 16 October 1995. The operator now lists two vessels for the Swan, James Stirling and River Lady, but warns that the boat on any sailing can change without notice.
No. Transperth's only ferry route runs from Elizabeth Quay Jetty across to Mends Street Jetty at South Perth. For Fremantle on the public network, take the train on a Go Anywhere fare, $3.50 standard cash or contactless.
Yes. Captain Cook Cruises sells a One Way Cruise from Perth to Fremantle and another in the opposite direction, each 1 hour 15 minutes. The adult fare is $49 until 31 October 2026 and $52 from November.
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. From November to March it adds Monday and Thursday; there is never a Wednesday sailing.
15:45 from Victoria Quay, arriving at Barrack Street at 17:00. The only other departure from Fremantle is at 12:45.
No. The $65 return scenic cruise lasts 2 hours 45 minutes and comes straight back. For time ashore, buy two one-way tickets or pair a one-way cruise with the train.
Captain Cook's FAQ still says its counter is near B Shed on Victoria Quay. The shed is under construction, so confirm the check-in point when you book; Fremantle station is five to ten minutes' walk away.
Yes, the operator says its downstream vessels between Perth and Fremantle carry bikes and luggage. It publishes no separate bike fare.