About this tour
Ride the Captain Hussey trolley train across Rottnest Island to Oliver Hill's WW2 fortifications. The 2-hour experience combines a scenic 64-seat train journey past island landmarks with a challenging 45-minute underground exploration of restored gun emplacements and tunnel systems. You'll navigate 700 metres of passages and 240+ uneven steps to understand the island's wartime defensive role. Moderate fitness essential.
Highlights
- Vintage trolley train through Rottnest's historical and natural landscape
- WW2 gun installations and command bunker access
- 240+ steps and tunnel maze equivalent to 8-storey descent
- Low ceilings and narrow passages requiring careful navigation
- Live guided commentary throughout both sections
- Air-conditioned transport between tour sections
What to expect
Settle into the open-air trolley for a leisurely ride past the island's heritage sites with narration filling in context. Once at Oliver Hill, prepare for the real challenge: a sustained underground mission through wartime tunnels. The path descends steeply, climbs back out, and twists through tight spaces where you'll duck under supports and feel the weight of concrete above. No stopping to rest once you're in; no retracing steps if you need to turn back. The tunnels are cool but claustrophobic. Your guide points out gun positions, observation posts, and explains how personnel operated this remote coastal sentinel.
Good to know
Ferry to Rottnest separately—this tour covers only island transport. Wear sturdy shoes with grip; the steps are uneven and damp. Children under 12 need an adult; babies in carriers only (no hand-carrying). Don't attempt if you have mobility issues, recent injuries, or claustrophobia. Bring water. Allow time before departure to reach the train starting point.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.