Rottnest Island (<!--redirect target-->), nicknamed "Rotto", is a island off the coast of Western Australia, west of Fremantle. A sandy, low-lying island formed on a base of aeolianite limestone, it is an A-class reserve, the highest level of protection afforded to public land.
With Garden Island, Rottnest Island is a remnant of Pleistocene dune ridges. The earliest recorded human presence on Rottnest was at least 17,000 years ago, but visitation and habitation of the island by the Noongar people appears to have ceased following its separation from the mainland.
Rottnest was first documented by Willem de Vlamingh in 1696, who called it () after the quokka population. Following establishment of the Swan River Colony (now Perth) in 1829, the island was initially used by British settlers for agriculture, and a permanent settlement was built in Thomson Bay. From 1838 to 1931, Rottnest Island was used as a prison and forced labour camp for over 3,600 Aboriginal people, who were subjected to extremely harsh conditions.
Other past uses of the island include as a military site, and for internment camps housing enemy aliens. Many of the island's buildings date from the colonial period, often made from locally quarried limestone, and are now used as accommodation for holidays.
Rottnest is an unincorporated area with no local government, subject to direct administration by the government of Western Australia. It is administered by the state's Rottnest Island Authority (RIA), which on 1 July 2017 became part of the newly created Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Rottnest is known for its population of quokkas, and is also home to colonies of Australian sea lions and southern fur seals, as well as various birds and three native tree species, notably the Rottnest Island pine.
The island is a popular recreational and tourist destination, with daily ferry services from Perth, the state's capital and largest city. It has a permanent population of around 300 people, with around 780,000 annual visitors.
History
Prehistory and archaeology
During the late Pleistocene, when sea levels were lower, present-day Rottnest Island, Carnac Island and Garden Island were attached to the Western Australian mainland by a low-lying carbonate sand plain. When sea levels were at their lowest, around 18,000 years ago, Rottnest would have formed "a conspicuous hill, high above the surrounding coastal plain" and approximately west of the mainland coastline. Rising sea levels submerged the continental shelf and isolated Rottnest in the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, with separation from the mainland occurring approximately 6,500 years ago. Sea levels continued to rise and by around 5,900 years ago the modern salt lakes in the centre of Rottnest had been inundated, resulting in the formation of up to ten smaller islands. Subsequent regressions returned the island to a single insular landform.
Archaeological evidence exists for human occupation of Rottnest prior to its separation from the mainland, comprising stone artefacts found in palaeosols in various locations on the island. , six chert artefacts and four calcrete artefacts have been identified from sites at Charlotte Point, Little Armstrong Bay and Bathurst Point. A feldspar pebble has also tentatively been identified as a gastrolith or manuport. Optically stimulated luminescence dating of the artefact-bearing palaeosols suggests the earliest recorded human presence on Rottnest was at least 17,000 years ago. It has been suggested that the relative lack of recorded artefacts may be due to site loss from sea level changes and due to Rottnest's exposed position rendering it less suitable for human occupation than lower-lying sites which were later submerged.
The Noongar name for Rottnest is Wadjemup, meaning .
In 2006, the Federal Court of Australia ruled that native title did not exist over Rottnest Island, as part of a ruling that recognised the claim of the Noongar people to native title over the Perth metropolitan area. Rottnest Island was later included in the South West Native Title Settlement between the Western Australian government and the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council, which came into effect in 2021. The island is covered by an Indigenous Land Use Agreement between the state government and the Whadjuk people.
European exploration and settlement
The island was observed and explored by various Dutch, French and English maritime expeditions from around 1619 onward, including by Frederick de Houtman around 28 July 1619.
The first Europeans known to<!--both sources express this "doubt", either saying "known to" or "believed to have been" --> have landed on Rottnest Island were about 14<!--"Abraham Leeman van Santwits ... with about 13 ship's boat crew" --> sailors from a Dutch expedition, including Abraham Leeman van Santwits from Waeckende Boey, who landed near Bathurst Point on 19 March 1658 while their ship was careened nearby. Waeckende Boey (under command of Samuel Volkersen
Tourism and facilities
thumb|The main shopping area at [[Thomson Bay Settlement, Rottnest Island|Thomson Bay]]
The island became largely devoted to recreational use from the 1900s, aside from a brief period of exclusive military use during World War II. It is now visited annually by 450,000 to 500,000 visitors, an average of 330,000 of those arriving by ferry or air taxi. Seventy per cent of all visitors come for the day only. The majority of visitors arrive in summer, with nearly 20% of all visitors coming in January.
The only motor vehicles permitted on the island are emergency and service vehicles, although there is also a bus service. Cycling is the transport of choice for most visitors, with many either bringing a bicycle with them or hiring one at the island's facility.
The main settlement is located at Thomson Bay, which is a protected north-easterly bay facing the mainland. Other settlements are located at Geordie Bay and Longreach Bay on the northern side of the island. All are sheltered bays and well suited for boating and swimming. Many other bays around the island have permanent boat moorings which can be leased from the Rottnest Island Authority.
The island has accommodation for up to 5,500 visitors, while day-only visitors can number up to 20,000 at any one time. Rottnest Island Authority accommodation options include 291 villas, units and cottages which sleep four, six or eight people and which are self-catering. This style of accommodation is reasonably basic. Demand for accommodation is very high during the summer months. Ballots are no longer held and guests can book up to 18 months in advance.thumb|Rottnest's secondary settlement was constructed during the 1970s at Longreach (left) and Geordie Bays.|leftOther accommodation options include the below.
- Group accommodation at Kingstown Barracks.
- The Hotel Rottnest, formerly called the Quokka Arms Hotel and prior to that the Governor's residence.
- The Rottnest Lodge.
- Cabins at Caroline Thomson provide an alternative to camping and are popular with families, sleeping up to six with self-contained cooking and washing facilities.
Most visitors arrive on one of the ferries from Fremantle, Perth and Hillarys. These are operated by Rottnest Express, Rottnest Fast Ferries and SeaLink. Rottnest Island Airport for light aircraft is located near the main settlement.
The island was previously popular with Year 12 school leavers celebrating the end of their exams each November—known in Western Australia as "leavers week" or just "leavers"—RIA accommodation on the island was reserved for leavers during this time. Identification and proof of being a current secondary school leaver was required to book accommodation during this period. A decrease in attendance over this period of time has led to leavers week no longer occurring on Rottnest.
thumb|Pinky's beach, near Bathurst Lighthouse
Catering facilities in the Thomson Bay foreshore area include a Dôme coffee shop, Thomsons Restaurant; Quokka Joes; Rottnest Lodge and the Hotel Rottnest.
The island was the site of an important Australian High Court case, Nagle v Rottnest Island Authority, which arose after a man dived off a rock on Rottnest Island and became a quadriplegic. It was held that, as the island authority had promoted the site as a venue for swimming and had not put up a warning notice, it was liable for causing the injury.
Activities
left|thumb|Bicycles are a primary form of transport on Rottnest.
left|thumb|Swimmers at [[The Basin (Rottnest Island)|The Basin.]]
Diving is a popular activity at Rottnest. Its varied limestone reef terrain and plentiful fish make it an interesting diving destination. In particular, diving for crayfish and Western rock lobster is popular in the summer months. The season opens on 15 November each year and runs until 30 June. Crayfish may be caught in special traps or "pots", or when diving either by hand or by using a crayfish "loop". The loop is a spring-loaded steel cable attached to a long pole. It is illegal to use any means that might puncture the shell to catch the crayfish. The bag limit is 6 per licence per day, with a maximum of 12 per boat per day.
A snorkel trail at Parker Point features underwater interpretative plaques that give information about the marine environments surrounding Rottnest. The island is the southernmost point along the Western Australian coastline at which coral grows. The Rottnest Island Wreck Trail was developed in conjunction with the Western Australian Museum in 1980 as the first underwater interpretative trail in the southern hemisphere. Visits to some of the Rottnest Island shipwrecks, in essence a museum-without-walls can be made by glass-bottomed boat, or by scuba and snorkel. The SS Macedon site is one of the most visited wrecks in Australia.
The island's historic buildings and beaches are all reachable by cycling tracks. Cycling is the island's primary mode of transport. Private or hire cars are not allowed on the island.thumb|The island's main settlement is located at Thomson Bay.
Annual events
- The Rottnest Channel Swim is a long-distance swimming event from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island held each February.
- The Rottnest Marathon & Fun Run is an annual running event operated late each October by the West Australian Marathon Club. Event distances are , and the marathon distance .
- "Rottofest" is a popular comedy, film and music festival held annually in September.
- Leavers week (November), when high-school graduates visit Rottnest to celebrate the end of their final exams. Although in recent times 'leavers' no longer occurs due to major falls in popularity.
- "Swim Thru Rottnest" is an annual 1,600-metre swim held on the first Saturday in December. The event was first held in 1977. Competitors start on the east side of the Army Jetty in Thomson Bay, swim to the natural jetty and then return to the Army jetty. The event is run by the Cottesloe Crabs Winter Swimming Club.
- "The Doctor" is a surfski and paddle race from the Army jetty to Sorrento Beach. It is held each January.
- "Fremantle to Rottnest Big Splash" is a masters swimming race from Leighton Beach to Rottnest.
Transport
thumb|[[Rottnest Express' Sea Eagle Express departing from Fremantle]]
Rottnest Island is accessed by ferry services. Rottnest Express commenced operating in the 1950s, while SeaLink commenced in November 2017. Both operate services from Fremantle with a few from Barrack Street Jetty in the Perth central business district. Rottnest Fast Ferries operate services from Hillarys Boat Harbour.
From the early 1970s, bus services on the island were operated by the Rottnest Island Authority with ex Metropolitan Transport Trust buses including Bedford SB, Guy Arabs, Albion Vikings, Leyland Tiger Cubs, Hino RC520Ps, Mercedes-Benz O305s and Renault PR100s.
In November 2015, Adams Coachlines commenced a contract to operate all bus services. The service operates under the Quokka Coaches brand.
Helicopter and light plane flights are also available.
Private cars are not allowed on the island; the most common private transport is by bicycle or walking.
Oliver Hill Railway
thumb|Oliver Hill railway station in 2011 with the railcar Captain Hussey
In 1935 construction commenced on a nine kilometre military railway to service two 9.2-inch guns at Oliver Hill and two six inch guns at Bickley. It had fallen out of use by the 1950s.
In 1966 the Rottnest Island Board of Control purchased the line with a petrol locomotive and eight wagons from the Australian Army with the aim of reopening it as a scenic railway. However it wasn't until 1993 that work began to restore 6.5 kilometres of the line. The Oliver Hill Railway was officially opened by Premier of Western Australia Richard Court on 3 July 1994.
Services
thumb|The wind turbine on Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island has few permanent residents, with most island workers commuting from the mainland.
As Rottnest is isolated from the mainland, and has no fresh surface water, providing water, power and waste disposal has always been difficult and expensive. In 1996, Rottnest introduced the first public-place recycling program in Western Australia. In 2000, the island won the 3R awards (reduce, reuse and recycle). A daily supply barge (the Spinifex) makes a return trip from Fremantle, delivering supplies and removing rubbish.
For many years during the twentieth century, the water supply was rainwater harvested from several large bitumen-sealed catchment areas behind Longreach Bay. In the 1970s, fresh water was found underground and was used to supplement the rainfall supply. In 1995, the supply was further supplemented with desalinated groundwater, using a reverse osmosis plant producing up to per day.
Experimental wind turbines were commissioned in 1978; however, high maintenance requirements and excessive power generation resulted in diesel fuel remaining the main power source. In 2004, a new Enercon wind turbine was erected; other works at the time included upgrades to the power station and the installation of low load diesel generators in a wind-diesel system. The wind turbine delivers approximately 37% of Rottnest's power requirements and saves over of diesel fuel per year. 500 kW of solar panels were added in 2017.
Two fully automated lighthouses operate on the island to aid passing maritime traffic: Bathurst Lighthouse and Wadjemup Lighthouse. An extensive network of flashing markers and transit beacons indicate safe passages through the rocky entrances to bays.
Volunteer groups working on Rottnest
Volunteering has been a part of the culture on Rottnest Island since the Winnit Club began working there in the summer of 1930–1931. Other volunteer organisations have included the Rottnest Island Foundation, the Rottnest Society, and the Rottnest Voluntary Guides Association. Tasks vary, including guided tours, tree planting, litter collection, and the building of access boardwalks and stairs.
The RIA employs a full-time volunteer coordinator. Rottnest Island Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, this brigade is a "private brigade" where the RIA funds critical funding to allow the brigade to function. The brigade is trained to be first response to any emergency on the island, assisted by agencies on and off the island. Most of the members are working residents in volunteering roles.
See also
- Rottnest ship graveyard
Notes
References
Sources
Further reading
;Books
;Journal articles
;News articles