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We had a couple of reasons for coming to Perth. One was to catch up with one of Sue's friends from school days, the others being to visit Rottnest Island and the last being that there were no convenient flights home from Broome without multiple connections.
(Above) Rottnest Island with the ferry route from Fremantle.
(Right) The Rottnest Express Ferry loaded with bikes. As there are no private vehicles allowed on Rottnest, bikes are the best way to get around if you want to do your own thing.
(Below) A sister ferry on its return trip.
The island was first documented by Willem de Vlamingh in 1696, who called it 't Eylandt 't Rottenest ("Rats' Nest Island") after the quokka population (which are not rats, but macropods and are related to kangaroos). Following establishment of the Swan River Colony (now Perth) in 1829, the island was initially used by British settlers for agricultural purposes, and a permanent settlement was built in Thomson Bay. From 1838 to 1931, Rottnest Island was also used as a prison and forced labour camp for over 3,600 Aboriginal people, who were subjected to extremely harsh conditions on the island. Other historical uses of the island include as a military site, and for internment camps housing enemy aliens. Many of the island's buildings date from the colonial period, often made from locally quarried limestone, and are now used as accommodation for holidays.
Rottnest is an A-class reserve, the highest level of protection afforded to public land.
Cuteness personified - the Rottnest Island Quokka. With the exception of a reserve on the mainland, this is the only place on the planet that these creatures exist, having been wiped out elsewhere by feral cats, foxes, etc.
(Left) Another Aboriginal sculpture at the jetty on Rottnest.
Along with several other islands, Rottnest became separated from the mainland around 7,000 years ago, when sea levels rose; the traditional Noongar name for the island is Wadjemup, which means "place across the water where the spirits are". Human artefacts have been found on the island dating back at least 30,000 years, but visitation and habitation of the island by the Noongar people appears to have ceased following its separation from the mainland.
(Left) Some of the original houses now used as holiday homes. We believe these were used to house the pilots who guided ships into the Swan River.
(Below) The Perth skyline from Rottnest.
(Above) Bathurst Lighthouse with the lighthouse keeper's cottage in the foreground.
(Below) The Discovery Eco-village just below the Bathurst Lighthouse.
(Above) Eagle Bay on the western end of the island.
(Below) Fish Hook Bay, also on the western end. On the most prominent rock to the right of centre was a magnificent Osprey nest.
Culture time! We had been told about a Van Gogh Audio/Visual exhibition while on the cruise, but realised we had missed it in Brisbane. However, a little Googling found that it was on in Perth, so we decided it was a great opportunity to see it. We weren't disappointed.
(Above Lt, Rt) Who knew that Vincent painted Sue in his bedroom, and also in a field of sunflowers?
(Left) The aviation tragics will note that on our flight home, the jet-stream gave us a ground speed of over 610 kts (700mph or 1130kph) at 39,000ft.
That's it for this trip. Another two are in the works, so keep checking back.
Love from us both,
Chris & Sue
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