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| ⚫ | ] on Rottnest.]] | ||
| ⚫ | '''Rottnest Island''' |
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| ⚫ | '''Rottnest Island''' ({{coor dm|32|00|S|115|36|E|region:AU-WA_type:city(0)}}) is an island located 9 nautical miles off the coast of ], near ]. The island is 11 kilometres long, 4.5 kilometres at its widest point and the land area measures 19 km². It is a popular weekend holiday location for both locals and visitors. Approximately 500,000 people visit Rottnest Island every year. The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for "Rottnest Island" is "Rotto". | ||
| ==History== | |||
| Rottnest Island was inhabited by ] since approximately 30,000 years ago, until rising sea levels separated the island from the mainland of Western Australia approximately 7,000 years ago. The island features in ] Aboriginal ]. | Rottnest Island was inhabited by ] since approximately 30,000 years ago, until rising sea levels separated the island from the mainland of Western Australia approximately 7,000 years ago. The island features in ] Aboriginal ]. | ||
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| Upon the establishment of the British ] in nearby ] in ], the island was used for the next 70 years as a ] for Aboriginal ]s. It became more or less devoted to recreational use in the 1900s, aside from a brief period of exclusive military use during ]. Wartime ] batteries and camouflaged sites are still in existence at various parts of the island. | Upon the establishment of the British ] in nearby ] in ], the island was used for the next 70 years as a ] for Aboriginal ]s. It became more or less devoted to recreational use in the 1900s, aside from a brief period of exclusive military use during ]. Wartime ] batteries and camouflaged sites are still in existence at various parts of the island. | ||
| One of the most little known aspects of Rottnest's history, even to Perth locals, is that was the home of an internment camp in both ] and World War 2. In WWI it was used mostly for German and Austrian |
One of the most little known aspects of Rottnest's history, even to Perth locals, is that was the home of an internment camp in both ] and World War 2. In WWI it was used mostly for German and Austrian enemy aliens, but was closed towards the end of the war due to appalling living conditions. During WWII it was used exclusively for Italian enemy aliens. This too was closed about half way through the war, and its occupants were sent to various internment and work camps, with some finding themselves as far away as ]. Many of the internees held at these camps had been law-abiding citizens of Western Australia for many years. | ||
| ==Features== | |||
| ⚫ | ] on Rottnest.]] | ||
| A well-maintained wildlife preserve, Rottnest is popular with divers (the island and its surrounding ] are littered with ]), surfers (there are several notable reef breaks at the west end of the island at Strickland Bay, Salmon Bay and Stark Bay), and recreational fishers. A snorkel trail at Parker Point features underwater interpretative plaques that give information about the very unusual marine environments surrounding Rottnest. The Island is the southernmost point along the Western Australian coastline at which coral grows. Rottnest is one of the few areas in the world where the ] can be found. This is largely due to the exclusion of feral cats and other animals such as foxes from the island. | |||
| The island features historic buildings, and pleasant beaches (all reachable via the many cycling tracks that are the island's main mode of transport). |
The island features historic buildings, and pleasant beaches (all reachable via the many cycling tracks that are the island's main mode of transport). The main settlement is located at Thomson Bay, facing east towards Fremantle. Other settlements are located at Geordie Bay and Longreach. Rottnest Island is sparsely populated by permanent residents, who are all island workers and their families. A small ] for light ] is located near the main settlement. The Rottnest Lodge is a high quality hotel located in the centre of the settlement at Thomson Bay, and the ever popular and recently refurbished Quokka Arms now offers a fabulous beer garden, quality restaurant and superb ocean views. | ||
| ==Controversy== | |||
| The main settlement is located at Thomson Bay, facing east towards Fremantle. Other settlements are located at Geordie Bay and Longreach. Rottnest Island is sparsely populated by permanent residents, who are all island workers and their families. A small ] for light ] is located near the main settlement. The Rottnest Lodge is a high quality hotel located in the centre of the settlement at Thomson Bay, and the ever popular and recently refurbished Quokka Arms now offers a fabulous beer garden, quality restaurant and superb ocean views. | |||
| Currently the island is administered by the Rottnest Island Authority, a body of the Western Australian government, set up specially for the purpose. The authority collects revenue, by imposing a "landing fee" on all visitors to the island. In recent years, the authority has come under intensive criticism, with accusations of mismanagement and poor planning. | |||
| The island is very popular with school leavers celebrating the end of their exams - the island has set aside an area especially for them |
The island is very popular with school leavers celebrating the end of their exams - the island authority has set aside an area especially for them, with the intent that they can enjoy themselves without disturbing other island holiday-makers. In ], outrageous student behaviour resulted in multiple arrests and expulsions from the island, and made national news. Particular public outrage occured over several students being charged with animal cruelty following an alleged game of 'quokka soccer' (] using a ] for a ball). Revelry also occurs on Rottnest Island every ]. | ||
| The Island |
The Rottnest Island Authority is trying to alter its image from 'blotto on rotto' to a family oriented inclusive holiday destination, and policies are in place to allow everyone to have a happy and fun holiday experience. | ||
| The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for "Rottnest Island" is "Rotto". | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 02:10, 23 August 2005
Rottnest Island (32°00′S 115°36′E / 32.000°S 115.600°E / -32.000; 115.600) is an island located 9 nautical miles off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. The island is 11 kilometres long, 4.5 kilometres at its widest point and the land area measures 19 km². It is a popular weekend holiday location for both locals and visitors. Approximately 500,000 people visit Rottnest Island every year. The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for "Rottnest Island" is "Rotto".
History
Rottnest Island was inhabited by Aborigines since approximately 30,000 years ago, until rising sea levels separated the island from the mainland of Western Australia approximately 7,000 years ago. The island features in Nyoongar Aboriginal mythology.
The island was identified by Dutch sailors in 1610, and the name was bestowed upon the island by the Flemish fleet captain Willem de Vlamingh in 1696. de Vlamingh (or one of his crew) believed that the indigenous marsupial called a quokka was in fact a large rat ("rottnest" meaning "rat's nest" in the Dutch language).
Upon the establishment of the British colony in nearby Perth in 1829, the island was used for the next 70 years as a prison for Aboriginal convicts. It became more or less devoted to recreational use in the 1900s, aside from a brief period of exclusive military use during World War 2. Wartime cannon batteries and camouflaged sites are still in existence at various parts of the island.
One of the most little known aspects of Rottnest's history, even to Perth locals, is that was the home of an internment camp in both World War 1 and World War 2. In WWI it was used mostly for German and Austrian enemy aliens, but was closed towards the end of the war due to appalling living conditions. During WWII it was used exclusively for Italian enemy aliens. This too was closed about half way through the war, and its occupants were sent to various internment and work camps, with some finding themselves as far away as New South Wales. Many of the internees held at these camps had been law-abiding citizens of Western Australia for many years.
Features
A well-maintained wildlife preserve, Rottnest is popular with divers (the island and its surrounding reefs are littered with ship wrecks), surfers (there are several notable reef breaks at the west end of the island at Strickland Bay, Salmon Bay and Stark Bay), and recreational fishers. A snorkel trail at Parker Point features underwater interpretative plaques that give information about the very unusual marine environments surrounding Rottnest. The Island is the southernmost point along the Western Australian coastline at which coral grows. Rottnest is one of the few areas in the world where the quokka can be found. This is largely due to the exclusion of feral cats and other animals such as foxes from the island.
The island features historic buildings, and pleasant beaches (all reachable via the many cycling tracks that are the island's main mode of transport). The main settlement is located at Thomson Bay, facing east towards Fremantle. Other settlements are located at Geordie Bay and Longreach. Rottnest Island is sparsely populated by permanent residents, who are all island workers and their families. A small airport for light aircraft is located near the main settlement. The Rottnest Lodge is a high quality hotel located in the centre of the settlement at Thomson Bay, and the ever popular and recently refurbished Quokka Arms now offers a fabulous beer garden, quality restaurant and superb ocean views.
Controversy
Currently the island is administered by the Rottnest Island Authority, a body of the Western Australian government, set up specially for the purpose. The authority collects revenue, by imposing a "landing fee" on all visitors to the island. In recent years, the authority has come under intensive criticism, with accusations of mismanagement and poor planning.
The island is very popular with school leavers celebrating the end of their exams - the island authority has set aside an area especially for them, with the intent that they can enjoy themselves without disturbing other island holiday-makers. In 1986, outrageous student behaviour resulted in multiple arrests and expulsions from the island, and made national news. Particular public outrage occured over several students being charged with animal cruelty following an alleged game of 'quokka soccer' (soccer using a quokka for a ball). Revelry also occurs on Rottnest Island every New Year's Eve.
The Rottnest Island Authority is trying to alter its image from 'blotto on rotto' to a family oriented inclusive holiday destination, and policies are in place to allow everyone to have a happy and fun holiday experience.
External links
- Rottnest Island Authority's home page
- Western Australian Government tourist information on Rottnest Island
- Rottnest Island Sea and Swell Data from the Western Australian Department of Transport
- Rottnest Lodge website