ROTTENEST ISLAND

ravel ACCESS T ACCESS The ever-stunning Rottnest Island

 JOHN NEWTON

It is more than 40 years since features since I first stepped ashore on Rottnest Island when there was little more to do than have a swim and finish the day with an ale or two at the local pub.

How things have changed - not only on the island but the way you get there on a high-speed ferry - the fi rst non-stop service from Perth.

Sealink’s 200-passenger catamaran - Quokka Two - takes just 90 minutes from Perth’s Barrack Street jett y to Rott nest - combining a scenic 60 minutes on the picturesque Swan River with 30 minutes on the Indian Ocean between the port of Fremantle and the island, a mere 18 kilometres away.

And, according to Leycester Cory, Sealink’s Commercial Partnerships and Sales manager - Western Australia, the direct run has been a “fantastic addition” to not only the company’s selection of products but also to the Perth market.

“Th e advantage of a direct service makes the unique opportunity to travel from the CBD to enchanting Rott nest even more special. It has performed above all our expectations and visitors and locals alike have left humbling reviews of the experience. Fewer crowds, more river and lots of outside viewing areas have certainly been met with a positive response,” he said.

One of Sealink’s prized assets is jack-of-all-trades Jess Featherstone, a fully-fl edged captain and the company’s fi rst female engineer. And these are not the only boots she fi lls - she is also quite happy to lend a hand at the food/bar, toss out the mooring ropes - and even give the odd commentary about the boat’s capabilities. Jess obviously took to water like an Olympic swimmer aft er giving up her primary school teaching role.

Island tours

If you are not up to cycling or walking around the Rottnest sights, Sealink has a number of island tours that include same day ferry transfers. These include:

* A four-hour Grand Island Tour, which explores the island’s iconic spots by coach and fi nishes with a historic train ride. * A Segway Fortress Adventure

Tour, starting with an in-depth training session before heading to spectacular beaches and gaining an insight into Rottnest’s military history and its role in

WW11. * A Bayseeker Island Tour over one-and-a-half hours during which you’ll see the island’s fl ora and wildlife, as well as its colonial and maritime history. Ferries direct daily

Sealink off ers daily direct ferries from both Perth and Fremantle. For bookings, fares and times, go to SealinkRottnest. com.au (Perth or Fremantle offi ce) or Tel: +61 (8) 93259352.

Free pick-up

To save the hassle of getting to the ferry terminal in Perth, Sealink provides a free hotel pick-up and drop off shuttle bus, leaving in plenty of time to catch the 8.30am city-Rottnest service and meet the 4.15pm return ferry from the island.

Today, Rott nest is burgeoning - thanks to cute marsupials called quokkas that have become the island’s tourist selfi e superstars - along with rising visitor numbers, proposed new developments and much-needed modern accommodation replacing that from a bygone era.

Th is includes a revamped Hotel Rott nest - the major island project for 2020 with an opening date of around September.

And there are plans to improve the visitor experience on the jett y and possibly some new products next season for day trippers and extended day tourists.

Key initiatives

Th e Rott nest Island Management Plan (RIMP) focuses on areas supported by 18 proposed key initiatives designed to promote new developments and business opportunities on the island, while retaining the island’s character and accessibility.

Tennis ace, Roger Federer, probably can’t believe what he’s done for tiny Rottnest on the other side of his homeland.

Just a day in the sun and Federer – along with a cute marsupial – have put the island well and truly in the limelight on the world map.

But while tourists fl ock to Rott nest and scramble off the ferries in a mad rush to get to the best selfi e quokka spots, there’s much, more to this historical and ever-growing tourist haven.

Just for starters, the island has 20 bays and more than 60 breathtaking beaches, diving, snorkelling, swimming coves, can’t-wait-to-throw-the-line-in fi shing spots and renting a bike to pedal up to must-see locations, such as Cathedral Rocks, Wadjemup Lighthouse, Geordie Bay, Th e Basin and Litt le Salmon bay.

And what bett er way to get to Rottnest than along the majestic Swan River

from the West Australian capital to the that only yacht clubs could build on the port of Fremantle before heading to the river. island across the Indian Ocean. Th is led the owners to open Perth’s

At Chidley Point in Mosman Park most exclusive yacht club. (just before you get to East Fremantle), Back on Rott nest don’t forget to grab look out for Perth’s smallest yacht club a bite of the island’s second favourite which has just two members. att raction - the mouth-watering pies from

Th e stand-out blue shed on the the island’s renowned bakery. foreshore is owned by the people living According to Jess, the steak, bacon in the house above. Aft er they’d built the and cheese pie is worth the cost of gett ing shed, the local council informed them over to the island. CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS JUNE - JULY 2020

Outback Australia full of surprisesustralia full of surprises

 WORDS AND IMAGES

BY DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

TOURING Outback Australia is one of the great adventures of the world with surprises to be had in virtually every town and city along the way.

It is simply a matt er of taking the time to fi nd those surprises and to seek the advice of locals who are only too willing to give you advice on what to see and how to get there. Outback Australia can be daunting to the inexperienced, but it is also a friendly place if you want it to be.

Having spent many years travelling the length and breadth of our great nation, I never cease to be amazed by what I discover along the way.

WELLINGTON NSW

Wellington’s great claim to fame is the fact that it is the second oldest inland centre in Australia. John Oxley discovered the beautiful sett ing at the junction of the Macquarie and Bell Rivers in 1817 and next year “Wello”, as it is known to the locals, will celebrate its bicentenary.

Th e town is an outstanding place to explore because of its great old buildings which are strung out along Namina Crescent adjacent to the equally stunning Cameron Park.

However just out of Wellington along the Mitchell Hwy is another amazing surprise: Wellington Caves.

Th e caves have been drawing visitors for over a century with the enchanting Cathedral Cave always the jewel in the crown. Recent explorations have found more than 20 caves in the area, some of them off ering excellent cave diving opportunities. quickly around the world, Broome surBROOME WA vived mainly because it was ideal for the tropical climate. Sitt ing at Cable Beach watching the sun go down over the Indian Ocean is DARWIN NT one of the great att ractions of visiting Th e northern capital of Darwin holds Broome. Camels parade by carrying many surprises for the visitor. However happy travellers and out to sea traditional two major events are almost inescapable sailing ships full of tourists pass across the when visiting. sett ing sun. Th e fi rst is Cyclone Tracy which

However it is aft er dark that Broome’s ripped the city apart in 1974 and the greatest surprise comes to life. Th e bombing of the city by Japanese aircraft outdoor Sun Pictures cinema is the oldest in 1942. Few cities in the world have “picture gardens” in the world, having faced the devastation which befell the city opened in 1916. in those two events.

When it opened locals would catch Darwin Museum, situated in the a horse tram from the town jett y along Gardens just out of town, has a moving Carnarvon Street to get there for a night display featuring Cyclone Tracy. Th e out. It is believed to be the only cinema highlight is a chilling sight and sound in the world subject to tidal fl uctuations experience featuring a tape capturing the with patrons having to lift their feet above full fury of the storm. the water to avoid gett ing wet. Inside the display, you are totally

While outdoor cinemas disappeared blocked off from the world in darkness CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS ACCESS JUNE - JULY 2020 and the sound of the cyclone att acks all your senses. Museum staff told me that some locals who lived through Tracy still cannot enter the display; it is too haunting for them.

Darwin Aviation Museum

Th e collection includes a B52 Bomber, an F111, a Mirage Fighter and a Sabre Jet. Th e aircraft are in pristine condition and if you are visiting the Top End, do yourself a favour and spend half a day at the museum.

BIGGE ISLAND WA

Th e great att ractions of the Kimberley region of WA include Mitchell Falls, Montgomery Reef and the Horizontal Waterfalls. However a litt le known place well worth a visit by boat is Bigge Island situated in the Bonaparte Archipelago.

Bigge Island has colourful rock formations that take your breath away. Set

against the sparkling Timor Sea under a blue sky, Bigge Island is a photographer’s delight.

We beached out explorer boat on an unspoilt beach and explored nearby caves which contained haunting Wandjina Man staring back at you from the walls. Th ey were painted by indigenous locals centuries ago and are freshened up occasionally by present day custodians.

What makes Bigge Island really unique is the fact that you can also fi nd the mysterious Bradshaw rock paintings there. Th ese paintings date from up to 40,000 years ago nobody knows who painted them.

Lying on my back looking up at those ancient drawings, painted by someone before the dawn of time, made me realise just how full of surprises Australia really is and how much there is to see and do.

So surprise yourself and go see Australia. 15