Page 315 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

THE SOUTHWEST  313

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
n Visitors’ Centre, Main Jetty,
Rottnest. Tel (08) 9372 9732.
∑ rottnestisland.com
7 = 8 0 -
Transport
g from Perth, Fremantle,
Hillarys Boat Harbour.
Hotel Rottnest
This hotel complex was built in 1864 as the state governor’s
summer residence and features turrets, crenellations and a
courtyard garden (see p490). Key
Minor road
Paths and trails
Thomson Bay
Geordie/ Settlement
Longreach
Settlement
Lake Baghdad Herschell
Lake PERTH

Government
House Lake
Serpentine
Lake
Kingstown

0 metres 1000
0 yards 1000

The Quokka
When de Vlamingh first visited Rottnest in 1696,
he noted animals somewhat bigger than a cat,
with dark fur. Thinking they were a species of rat,
he called the island the “rats’ nest”. In fact the
animals were a type of wallaby, called quokkas
by the Aborigines. Although there is a small
mainland population in
Western Australia, this
is the best place to
see these timid
creatures in areas
of undergrowth.
On Rottnest
such habitat
is scarce, and
Oliver Hill they are often
At this lookout stand two 9.2-inch (23.5-cm) visible at dusk.
guns, brought here for coastal defence Quokkas are
purposes in 1937, but obsolete since the wild and should
end of World War II. A railway to the hill not be fed.
has been renovated by volunteers.
For keys to symbols see back flap