Back Rottnest-eiland Afrikaans روتنيسانت (جزيره) ARZ Rottnest Island CEB Rottnest Czech Rottnest Island German Rottnest Esperanto Isla de Rottnest Spanish جزیره راتنست Persian Rottnest Island Finnish Rottnest Island French
| Rottnest Island Wadjemup Western Australia | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
     Clockwise from top: Rottnest Island from space; the Basin; Wadjemup Lighthouse, quokkas; and Parker Point | |||||||||
  Rottnest Island | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 32°00′18″S 115°30′54″E / 32.005°S 115.515°E | ||||||||
| Population | 166 (SAL 2021)[1][2] | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6161 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 46 m (151 ft) | ||||||||
| Area | 19 km2 (7.3 sq mi) | ||||||||
| Time zone | AWST (UTC+8) | ||||||||
| Location | 18 km (11 mi) W of Fremantle | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Cockburn[3][4][5] | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Fremantle | ||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Fremantle | ||||||||
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Rottnest Island (Nyungar: Wadjemup), often colloquially referred to as "Rotto", is a 19-square-kilometre (7.3 sq mi) island off the coast of Western Australia, located 18 kilometres (11 mi) west of Fremantle. A sandy, low-lying island formed on a base of aeolianite limestone, Rottnest is an A-class reserve, the highest level of protection afforded to public land.
Together with Garden Island, Rottnest Island is a remnant of Pleistocene dune ridges.[7] 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'.[8] 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.
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. 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.[9][10]
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 unincorporated area with no local government, subject to direct administration by the government of Western Australia. It is administered by the state's Rottnest Island Authority, which on 1 July 2017 became part of the newly created Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Rottnest is well known for its population of quokkas, and is also home to colonies of Australian sea lions and southern fur seals, as well as various birds and three native tree species, notably the Rottnest Island pine.[11][12]
The island is a popular recreational and tourist destination, with daily ferry services from Perth, the state's capital and largest city. It has a permanent population of around 300 people,[13] with around 780,000 annual visitors.[14]
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Rottnest Island (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Rottnest Island (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021.
- ^ "Rottnest Island". InHerit. Heritage Council of Western Australia. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ "What made the news in Cockburn – 22-29 April 2022". City of Cockburn. 29 April 2022. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
for the purposes of the Commonwealth Electoral Division of Fremantle, Rottnest Island is considered a suburb of the City of Cockburn
- ^ "Map of the commonwealth electoral division of Fremantle" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. August 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ "Rottnest Police station details". Archived from the original on 13 December 2006.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
jrsowa-rippey-hobbswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Wadjemup welcomes Noongar Boodja". Rottnest Foundation. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ McGlade, Hannah (30 May 2018). "Rottnest Island 'tent land' closure an important day for Aboriginal people". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Rottnest Island Legacy". Untitled. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
- ^ "Birdwatching around Rottnest Island" (PDF). Bird Guides of Western Australia. Floreat: Birds Australia Western Australia. November 2005. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ Saunders, Denis; de Rebeira, Perry (February 2007). "Birds of Rottnest Island – by Habitat" (PDF). Retrieved 26 December 2023 – via Pam Ghirardi and Heather Goodwin.
- ^ "2016 Census QuickStats: Rottnest Island". quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ "Rottnest Island Authority | Annual Reports". ria.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
