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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.

Another aspect of World War 2 for Rottnest, was the placement of large guns in the middle of the island for defence of the Fremantle port, and the construction of a railway between the jetty at Thompson Barracks at the eastern end of the island and the guns for the transport of materials for the guns.

The railway was removed, and the guns and the buildings related to them were either removed or abandoned. In the 1990's the guns and the railway were extensively rehabilitated for use as a tourist attraction. However parts of disused military installations and older structures on the island have issues due to their being made of asbestos.

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 has very few permanent residents, who are all island workers and their families, a considerable number of workers on the island now commute from the mainland. A small airport for light aircraft is located near the main settlement. The main form of transport for the bulk of visitors to the island is a range of ferries that travel from Fremantle, Perth, and Hillarys . The Rottnest Lodge is a hotel located in the centre of the settlement at Thomson Bay, and the popular and recently refurbished Quokka Arms now offers a beer garden, restaurant and 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 during this time (known in WA as 'Leavers week' or just 'Leavers'). In 1986, outrageous student behaviour resulted in multiple arrests and expulsions from the island, and made national news. Particular public outrage occurred over several students being charged with animal cruelty following an alleged game of 'quokka soccer' (kicking a quokka around as if playing soccer). 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 an enjoyable holiday experience.

Science

Due to its early discovery and description by explorers, and its isolation from the mainland - Rottnest has had a vital role to play in understanding aspects of south west western australian ecology. At various times state and federal government scientists have been able to research a range of phenomenon on the island and then make comparisons with mainland issues. A significant number of books and papers have been written about Rottnest and its flora and fauna.

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

• Islands of Western Australia
• Islands of Australia
• Perth landmarks