Quokka News

When we think of Rottnest we think of those incredible creatures that populate the Island.
Quokkas would have to be one of the most fascinating animals around and we get greeted by them when we enter the island.
From scrambling around your table at hotel Rottnest, to entering your unit or bungalow these animals are facinated by us and most don't have a problem showing that.

You might enter the island and wonder where they all are, but what alot of people don't know is quokkas are nocturnal.
They will still be around the Island if you look hard enough during the day but at night its a different story! These quokkas come out in the thousands at night and if you have ever stayed on the island and had a bike ride at night then you would know what im talking about.
You exit your unit and then you realise you are being bombarded by hundreds of quokkas, sort or like an army, all just lazing about enjoying themselves. You have to dodge them by bike and thank god they have rock hard tails because your guaranteed to run over one.

One problem with our and their fascination with eachother is we can't help want to feed them.
Quokkas cannot be fed any type of human food because it upsets their immune systems and they can become very sick and die
If you have to feed them then they love to feed on succulents such as Pigface, and grasses plus bark off small shrubs and trees.

Rottnest Island Posts A Profit For 08/09 Period

It's been Years of hard work for the Rottnest Island authority. From the ups to the lows Rottnest has come out a better place to hoilday and thats all thanks to a few key initiatives brought in which included Updating facilities, promoting Rottnest to the world and bringing new and better quality businesses to the island.

After all the hard work, all the years of wondering when or if we were going to get there, we finally have!
Rottnest Island posted a 0.9million profit for the 08/09 period which ended on june 30 this yr. This is a great result and is above the 0.5million profit posted for the 07/08 period and well above the 4.9million loss Rottnest received during the yrs of 04/05.
This profit is an amazing result for Rottnest who for yrs have failed to pull in profits which in end hold back progress on the island.
Rottnest's 5 yr decline in visitor numbers were reversed starting from the 06/07 period and recorded their highest influx of tourists in history in the 08/09 period. 413,386 thousand Rottnest lovers and explorers visited the island during ths lastest period.
Tourists are now stating longer according to Rottnest and stay an average of 3.5 days.

Rottnest's Dome cafe is Australia's best performing dome cafe and now one of the biggest.

A few things happening soon, cleaning standards will be lifted in the 09/10 period.
Rottnest is to soon receive new branding. And last but not least Rottnest is keeping up with the enviroment by planting over 33,000 native trees in the past yr!

Bringing Fun Back To Rottnest

It isn't hard to have fun on Rottnest island with the pristine beaches with their crystal clear waters to the marine life surrounding you and the feeling of being able to find a beach to enjoy all to yourself.
There has been just one thing lacking, and that would be the word entertainment. Rottnest has lacked those extra few things that make a holiday, a holiday and finally were seeing some exciting things right now and that could be coming.
Rottnest express has added a new big boys toy to the mix and that toy is called the eco express. This boat is pretty amazing considering what you get to see that you didnt even know was there. The eco express takes you on a journey around Rottnest island to the best hidden spots you dont get to see from the mainland and it get you there in style! As you can see you all are given coats because you are most likely going to get wet:) Its a wild ride! If you want to give this a go then just book a place at the Rottnest express when you book your ticket or go to http://www.rottnestexpress.com.au/
There could be a big project coming to Rottnest if the island management gets their way, and thats a commercial marina located on the arms jetty. This project is waiting approval and would be an amazing addition to Rottnest since we all know how incredible the marine life looks around the island. I will keep you updated on it :)

Booked Up

Rottnest Island is well known to Australia and even more to western aussies, the problem is the island can't cope with the amount of tourists during spring and summer time and as we all know that's the best time for enjoy rotto.
Every yr rottnest has an average of 360,000 visitors to the island and with a 7.5% increase in visitors in the 05/06 period and a 5% increase in the 07/08 period there has never been a more important time for rottnest to capitalise on these figures to boost revenue and profits.
There are a few things the island has come up with in its new management plan. One of those includes a new 120 room hotel at Mt Herschel. The island management has a developed site ready but talks have stalled. Management still says there will be a hotel built on rottnest its just a matter of getting through paperwork. The other thing the island will be receiving would be new accomodation for staff living on the island to free up the units for tourits and would receive their own section of island.
Currently on school holidays, public holidays and summertime Rottnest visitors have to enter a ballot to be eligable to enter the island, ofcourse you still have to be selected. This ballot has been going on for as long as i can remember and its time the island built more units and camping grounds to acommodate tourists.

Rottnest Gets Major Upgrade

Over the past 18 months Rottnest Island has been very busy updating facilities on the island. Gone are the days where visitors had to bring their own linen, and where we had to share showers and toilets.
All Rottnest's accomodation has been transformed into a more modern look with the addition of stoves, microwaves, tv's, couches, heating and also the much needed bathrooms.
The island has also received a new paint job on the main bays walls and visitor centre ( pic left) this is more welcoming than the old fainted paint that had been there for yrs, although its pretty much the same colour.
Another addition to the island are the aboriginal tour busses which will take you to the heritage sites and explain what they were involved in when held as prisonors old the island in the late 1800's, this is added to the already running tours of the island.
Thompson bays shopping complex received new shops including subway, a refurbished bakery which now boasts one of the biggest shops on the island and has everything from fresh baked bread to drinks and hot food. There is now a chemist on the island which also sells souviners. Other new shops across the island include the new owned dive shop owned by oceanic cruises, get everything from alcohol, clothes to surfboards and necklaces.
( more to come)

Welcome Rottnest Lovers

My names Chuck and this is my new blog to introduce people to rottnest and also to update people on what's new on our favourite island. So watch this space:)