Rottnest Island
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Basin, Rottnest, Western Australia.jpg
Rottnest Island (Template:Coor dms) is located 19 nautical miles (35 km) off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. The island is 11 kilometres long, and 4.5 kilometres at its widest point. The land area measures 19 km².
The Western Australian vernacular diminutive is "Rotto". It has been an important holiday destination for over 50 years, making it an iconic location for generations of Perth residents who have used the island as a place to celebrate rite of passage events such as the end of secondary school, and similar events.
It has been also viewed as an ideal location for an overnight, or day trip visits by locals and tourists. Longer stays are made by utilising the available accommodation, and these are usually booked well in advance for school holidays. Approximately 500,000 people visit the island every year.
The Rottnest Channel Swim, a long distance swimming event from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island, is held annually.
Contents |
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 and was called Wadjemup.
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 believed that the indigenous marsupial called a quokka was in fact a large rat ("rattenest" meaning "rat's nest" in the Dutch language).
Upon the establishment of the British colony in nearby Perth, ten Aboriginal prisoners were sent to Rottnest Island in August 1838. The Colonial Secretary announced in June 1839 that the Island would become a penal establishment for Aboriginal people, and between 1838 and 1931, Rottnest Island was used as an Aboriginal prison to "pacify" "local natives". In "pacifying" an Aboriginal population, men were rounded up and chained for offences ranging from spearing livestock, burning the bush or digging vegetables on what had been their own land. It has been estimated that there may be as many as 369 Aboriginal graves on the island. Except for a short period between 1849 and 1855 during which the prison was closed, some 3,700 Aboriginal men and boys, from all parts of the state, were imprisoned.
The island became more or less devoted to recreational use in the 1900s, aside from a brief period of exclusive military use during World War II. 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 I and World War II. In WWI it was mostly used 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 halfway 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 II was the placement of large guns in the middle of Rottnest 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.
After WWII the guns and the buildings related to them were either removed or abandoned, and the railway was removed. In the 1990s the guns and the railway were extensively reconstructed for use as a tourist attraction. However parts of disused military installations and older structures on the island have issues due to their construction containing asbestos.
Features
Image:Rottnest Quokka 2004 SeanMcClean.jpg 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; cycling being 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. Those people that do reside on the island are either island workers or family members. A considerable number of island workers now commute from the mainland. Image:Rottnest Express Sea Eagle3.jpg
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.
See Also - List of features of Rottnest Island for alpha lists of cottage names, and named features usually found on Rottnest Maps
Controversy
Currently the island is administered by the Rottnest Island Authority, a body of the Western Australian government, set up specifically 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 intense criticism with accusations of mismanagement and poor planning. Template:Fact
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 Western Australia 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.
Annual events
- Schoolies (November)