At a glance
- Cost
- Parking is free across Hillarys Boat Harbour, according to the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI)
- The limits
- A 4-hour limit (4P, blue) applies in the busiest visitor areas from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily; drop-off bays (P15) are 15 minutes at all times; the bays by the southern boat jetties and the harbour office are 45 minutes (P45)
- For the Rottnest ferry
- Long-stay and overnight parking is in the northern zone, a short walk across the harbour bridge to the ferry terminal; all-day parking is also in the “P” zone near the ferry office
- Who it’s for
- Anyone driving to the harbour for the Rottnest Fast Ferries, the beach, a meal or the boardwalk
- What to do now
- Read the sign at your bay for its zone letter and time limit, drop luggage at a P15 or 4P bay first, then move the car to a long-stay zone
- Last checked
- Tuesday 10 November 2026, against the DTMI Hillarys Boat Harbour page and the Rottnest Fast Ferries parking page
- Not yet confirmed
- Whether the timed zones will become permanent and in what form: the trial ended on 31 July 2026 and DTMI says permanent changes will follow once it has weighed the feedback
Parking at Hillarys Boat Harbour is free, but the busiest visitor bays have a four-hour limit from 8:00am to 6:00pm every day. If you are catching the Rottnest ferry for the day, the long-stay zones are the place to leave the car.
This guide uses the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure’s Hillarys Boat Harbour page and its timed parking FAQs, plus the parking page of Rottnest Fast Ferries, checked on Tuesday 10 November 2026. Perth uses Australian Western Standard Time (UTC+8), with no daylight saving.
Is parking at Hillarys Boat Harbour free?
Yes. DTMI, which manages the harbour, lists free parking across the harbour as part of the current arrangements, and the department’s FAQ repeats that car parking remains free. Rottnest Fast Ferries says the same: free parking is available on the south side and on parts of the north side of the harbour.
What do the parking zones mean?
DTMI introduced timed parking as a trial from 27 February 2026 to 31 July 2026. The trial ended, but DTMI says the trial arrangements remain in place while it considers the feedback and parking data. These are the zones set out in the trial FAQs.
| Sign | Limit | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4P (blue) | Four hours | 8:00am to 6:00pm every day | The busiest visitor areas, in the southern and northern precincts |
| P15 | 15 minutes | At all times | Drop-off and pick-up bays, including near the Rottnest Fast Ferries office and luggage collection, and near the Hillarys lagoon and promenade |
| P45 | 45 minutes | 8:00am to 6:00pm every day, in the FAQs | Around the southern boat jetties and the harbour office |
| P | No time limit during the trial | All day | The southern precinct, including near the ferry office |
| P Long Term (green) | No time limit | Long-term and overnight | The northern precinct |
DTMI says it monitors compliance with the time limits and is working with the City of Joondalup to check that drivers follow them.
Where do I park for the Rottnest ferry?
DTMI answers this directly for Rottnest Fast Ferries passengers:
- For drop-off, use the P15 drop-off and pick-up bays, or the 4P (four-hour) bays closest to the ferry office, to unload luggage before you move the car.
- For a longer stay, long-stay and overnight parking is in the northern parking zone, a short walk across the harbour bridge to the ferry terminal.
- All-day parking is also available in the P parking zone near the ferry office.
The four-hour limit matters for day-trippers. The sources do not give ferry times, but if you will be away longer than four hours, a car left in a 4P bay between 8:00am and 6:00pm would break the signed limit, so move it to a long-stay or P zone after dropping your bags.
How do I drive there, and where is the ferry terminal?
Rottnest Fast Ferries says the harbour is 20 minutes north of Perth. Take the Mitchell Freeway and exit at Hepburn Avenue, then continue straight down to the harbour. The ferry terminal is at 56 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour WA 6025, and the operator’s office is at Shop 56. You can phone the operator on (08) 9246 1039.
Public transport is the other option. The operator recommends the Transperth journey planner and asks you to allow plenty of time. For service disruptions on your date, check the Transperth website or call 13 62 13.
Where can I leave the car if I work at the harbour or keep a boat there?
| You are | What DTMI says |
|---|---|
| An employee | Use the longer-stay areas in the northern car park; you may use time-limited bays if your stay meets the signed limits before 6:00pm. Bus, walking and cycling are encouraged, and secure bike parking is available for some employees |
| A boat pen holder | Load and unload in the P45 bays closest to the boat pens, then move the car to permit holder areas near the pens, or to the P all-day and longer-stay zones; secure bike parking is near the harbour office |
| A general visitor | Drop-off zones are near the Rottnest Fast Ferries office and luggage collection, and near the Hillarys lagoon and promenade; 4P limits apply in the busiest visitor areas |
Why did the harbour bring in time limits?
DTMI says the trial was designed to improve parking turnover, availability and access in high-demand areas. It was informed by six months of parking data and the recommendations of the Hillarys Integrated Transport Strategy. The department says it is continuing to investigate longer-term parking and access improvements, including better bus connections and better access for people walking and cycling.
What else is changing at the harbour?
DTMI lists a $14.1 million programme of activation and access improvements. As of 10 November 2026 it says:
- Consultation on a Youth and Family Plaza, for the former Great Escape waterpark site, is open until 30 November 2026.
- Construction to replace the northern breakwater fishing platform is progressing, with completion expected by the end of 2026; the platform stays closed until then.
- The refurbishment of the inner harbour toilet block next to the sheltered beach was completed in September 2026 and added accessible toilets.
- Planning is under way to improve pedestrian access across Whitfords Avenue into the harbour, led by Main Roads WA with the City of Joondalup.
Where else on this coast can I park?
For the City of Joondalup’s other beaches, boat ramps and their rules, see our guide to Joondalup beaches: parking, boat ramps and kitesurf rules.
Who do I contact?
Harbour management is at hillarys@transport.wa.gov.au. For the ferry, Rottnest Fast Ferries lists (08) 9246 1039 and reservations@rottnestfastferries.com.au.
Sources
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure — Hillarys Boat Harbour (checked 10 November 2026)
- DTMI — Hillarys Boat Harbour timed parking trial FAQs (PDF)
- Rottnest Fast Ferries — Free Parking at Hillarys Boat Harbour
Featured image: Sorrento Quay and Hillarys Boardwalk (photo: Bahnfrend / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, Rottnest Fast Ferries, the City of Joondalup or Transperth. Zones, limits and fees can change; check the signs on the day.