You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who’s visited Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) and hasn’t fallen under its spell. This magical island in Western Australia, just a zippy 30-minute ferry ride from Fremantle, is one of those extremely rare places on Earth that looks even better in person than it does online. And now, it's set to become even more photogenic (and practical) thanks to a $150-million infrastructure upgrade, which kicked off in April 2024.
Out-of-towners may know Rotto for its friendly population of quokkas, but the island boasts some of Australia’s most incredible beaches and bays, top-notch eateries, luxe accommodations and laid-back campsites. In 2023, around 800,000 people travelled to Rottnest Island by ferry, with budget-friendly accommodation options booked out well in advance.
The Western Australian Government is hoping to make the island experience more accessible for both tourists and locals by allocating $105.5 million of the state’s 2024-25 budget to infrastructure upgrades over the next eight years. Of this sum, $98.5 million – the single-biggest investment by a state government into the island – will be spent on new staff accommodation, with plans to build 137 units capable of housing around 400 workers. This will not only help budget-conscious travellers secure cheaper accommodation, which has historically been reserved for employees, but will attract more staff, allowing the island to increase its ferry service frequency during early mornings and evenings.
Rottnest Island’s wastewater setup will also receive a serious $15.8 million boost, while almost $32 million will be spent on relocating barge and freight operations from the Main Jetty to South Thomson Bay. This will create a more inviting welcome point for visitors arriving by boat, and will also enhance safety by reducing interactions between vehicles and pedestrians. The remaining $4.3 million will be dedicated to resurfacing the Rottnest Airport runway and installing fancy new perimeter fencing.
Rottnest Island’s summer glow-up has already commenced with major upgrades to Geordie Bay’s quaint yellow self-contained cottages kicking off in April. They’re on track to welcome visitors by the September 2024 school holidays, with upgrades to 52 units in Fay’s Bay and Longreach Bay to follow in 2025-26.
In the lead-up to summer, Rottnest Island is also seeking expressions of interest for new businesses, including anything from recreational and water activities to Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences. Even more reason to visit this slice of island paradise come summer.
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