Rottnest Island

This island is a popular holiday resort destination situated in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Fremantle. The earliest recorded European visit here was by Vlamingh on the Batavia in 1696. The crew thought native quokkas resembled rats hence the island's Dutch name meaning simply "Rat's Nest". Rottnest has a somewhat chequered history. In the early days it served as a harsh prison for Aborigines. The Noongar community name for Rottnest is Wadjemup

Rottnest - Main Jetty

The ferry arrival/departure jetty to/from Fremantle or Hillarys. You may be able to see the Perth City skyline in the centre of the photo on the horizon. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT001

Rottnest - Thomson Bay

This is Thomson Bay North viewed from the main jetty where passengers alight from their boats. The water looks magnificent. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT002

Rottnest - Thomson Bay

A view across the top of Thomson Bay (north) looking back over the houses and beach. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT003

Rottnest - Hotel

The Rottnest Hotel was previously known as the Quokka Arms. It is located near the beachfront just a little south from the Thomson Bay ferry landing. This is a 1864 structure which was originally built as a majestic summer residence for past Governors of Western Australia. It was then known as Government House. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT004

Rottnest - Hotel

Another section of the Rottnest Hotel. This appears to be an accommodation wing. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT005

Rottnest - Bus Stop

If you wish to board one of the round-island buses or the train, or a tour, you must purchase your tickets here. The ticket office is just south of the shops, at the Main Bus Stop on Brand Way. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT006

Rottnest - Settlement Station

Rottnest has a railway line which was built by the military in the 1930's. It runs from Settlement Station, via Kingstown, to Oliver's Hill where, in the old days, was a military post. The line fell into disuse for many years but today it alive and well with its tourist diesel railcar. This is the station at the "Settlement" - Thomson Bay settlement. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT007

Rottnest - Tourist Rail Car

Here is the Settlement - Oliver's Hill railcar at Settlement Station. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT008

Rottnest - Government House Lake

A two minute walk through trees from Settlement Station takes you to Government House Lake. A salt lake which is apparently fed through the subterranean limestone from the sea. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT009

Rottnest - General Store

In the Shopping Mall this is one of the entrances to the General Store. A great shop loaded with all sorts of things. All we were after was a cool drink but we could have stayed in here a while as there are so many things to see. The store dates back to 1859. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT010

Rottnest - General Store

Here is a view down the front of the General Store. Just up from here is the Rottnest Bakery, loaded with pies, pastries and cakes and it is immensely popular. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT011

Rottnest - Shopping Mall

Looking down the Shopping Mall on a busy holiday day. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT012

Rottnest - Shopping Area

In the Shopping Mall again. There are several food outlets. Red Rooster was doing a roaring trade. This restaurant, Quokka Joes, is a little less specialised but nonetheless well attended. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT013

Rottnest - Pharmacy

The Wellness Centre in the shopping area, the local pharmacy, is popular with browsers especially if they need a hat to fend off the summer sun. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT014

Rottnest - The Lodge

The entrance to the Rottnest Lodge, the premier accommodation on the island. This was built in 1864. It has a rather dismal history. At one stage it was the Native Prison and Hospital and at another time a Boy's Reformatory School. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT015

Rottnest - The Lodge

Some of the Lodge's units face rear-wise onto this grassy quadrangle. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT016

Rottnest - Cabin Accommodation

An accommodation unit on Abbott Street. These are multi-bed (2-6) for families. There are also some smaller cottages available for rent. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT017

Rottnest - Cabin Accommodation

Rottnest accommodation for rent. This one is on Cusack Street (cnr Somerville Drive). Island accommodation is varied. The top of the list would be the Lodge and the Hotel. Then there are a variety of cabins. There is also a camping ground. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT018

Rottnest - Cabin Accommodation

Here is what looks like an older style cabin unit. Many cabins are springing up to cater to increasing trade. A lot are as small as this but for a couple of days mostly spent swimming and touring, what else would you need? January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT019

Rottnest - Primary School

All locked up today as it's the school holidays. Here is the Island school, the Rottnest campus of the Beaconsfield Primary School. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT020

Rottnest - Museum

This is the Museum on Kitson Street only about 2-3 minutes walk from the Shopping Mall. This was built in 1858 as the island's forge and grain crushing mill. Over the years, it has also been used as a hay store, the hostel staff quarters, a hairdressing salon, and as a billiards room. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT021

Rottnest - Picture Hall

The Picture Theatre building took me back to my old 1960's Mandurah days with open air pictures and deck chairs. Perhaps it didn't quite look like this but the air/simplicity reminds me. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT022

Rottnest - Chapel

The Rottnest Chapel on Kitson Street is next to the entrance to the Rottnest Lodge. It was built in 1862 and at one time served as a school, an evening reading room, and a candle-lit place to read newspapers. Photo - January 2013. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT023

Rottnest - Holy Trinity Church

This is the Catholic Holy Trinity Church located up a small hill close to the Settlement Centre on Rottnest Island. The Church opened in 1975 and it is within the Parish of Saint Patrick's Basilica, Fremantle. Photo - January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT024

Rottnest - Salt Store

The Salt Store. The name is self-evident of its original use. This has been later used as the Rottnest Island Board Offices. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT025

Rottnest - Lomas Cottage

This is Lomas Cottage. It was purpose-built (but not as big as it is now) for John Lomas, an ex-Fremantle convict who apparently had problems fitting into mainstream life after his internment. He came and lived here and grew vegetables etc outside his front door. It was built in 1871 and has also been known as Buckingham Palace. January 2009. Photos Ref: ROTT026

Rottnest - Bathurst Lighthouse

At the north of Thomson Bay on Rottnest Island stands the Bathurst lighthouse which was built in 1896 and automated in 1986. Photo - January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT027

Rottnest - Pinky Beach

Looking down from the Bathurst Lighthouse is this view over Pinky Beach. Beyond this beach is The Basin, further along Longreach Bay, and then on to Geordie Bay. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT028

Rottnest - Cemetery

North up Digby Drive from Thomson Bay is the cemetery. A plaque here was unveiled in 1972 by the Winnit Club advising of thirteen known graves. I saw at least one which post-dates the plaque. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT029

Rottnest - Vlamingh Lookout

If you take a sealed track (not sign-posted) around the back of the cemetery you will arrive at the Vlamingh Lookout. Willem de Vlamingh landed here on 30th December 1696. A stone laid here on the same date in 1935 marks the memorial. The lookout was build by the Rottnest Board of Control in 1935 and was opened by the then Chairman, Hon. W. H. Kitson MLC on 30th December 1935. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT030

Rottnest - Lookout - Airstrip

All around from the Vlamingh Lookout are great scenes. This is a view looking south across a canopy of trees and across Government House Lake and to the airstrip. The ocean is glimpsed beyond. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT031

Rottnest - Lookout - Garden Lake

A view from the Vlamingh Lookout looking north across Garden Lake. You can see Digby Drive below. That road extends all the way to Cape Vlamingh at the island's western extremity. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT032

Rottnest - Lookout - Windmill

A look over Garden Lake's eastern end taking in the wind turbine. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT033

Rottnest - Lookout - Causeway

From the Rottnest lookout looking west, the road causeway splits Pearse Lake on the left with Herchel Lake on the right. In the distance is the Wadjemup Lighthouse which was constructed in 1851. Photo - January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT034

Rottnest - Garden Lake

At ground level, this is a section of Garden Lake. Digby Drive is that road on the left. Up on the left and out of picture is the Vlamingh Lookout. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT035

Rottnest - Provisioning Ship

At the end of the ferry jetty is a small landing where ships such as this one berth and off-load provisions for the island brought over from the mainland. This is the vessel 'Spinifex'. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT036

Rottnest - Quokkas

The most famous indigenous wildlife of Rottnest is the quokka, and here are a couple looking after each other in the grounds of a building on Digby Drive. Some days you come here and see none. Other days, dozens. There are a couple of quite bold and cheeky ones who scrounge around under the dining tables outside the bakery. January 2013. Photos Ref: ROTT037

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