Off the coast of Perth is an island called Rottnest Island. It is about 30 minutes away by ferry and it is a very popular destination for vacationers. It has a long history.
Rottnest Island’s history extends as far back as 50,000 years ago, when it was still connected to the mainland of Western Australia. Aboriginal artifacts suggest there was significant human occupation until ~7,000 years ago when the rising sea levels resulted in the separation of the island. The traditional Aboriginal name for the island is Wadjemup, which means “place across the water where the spirits are”. According to Wikipedia: Aboriginal artefacts on the island have been dated from 6,500 to more than 30,000 years ago.[12] However, other evidence suggests human occupation significantly before 50,000, possibly as early as 70,000 BP.[13] There is no evidence that the Whadjuk Noongar people continued to inhabit or visit the island after its separation from the mainland,[14] and by the time of European exploration in the 1600s the island is thought to have been unoccupied for thousands of years.[15]
The island was first documented by Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh in 1696, who called it ‘t Eylandt ‘t Rottenest (“Rats’ Nest Island”) after the quokka population. The Dutch thought these cute and very tame animals were related to rats and the name stuck. Subsequently the French visited the island and finally the British took control. It then became a penal colony for Aborigines who were very harshly treated.
Brenda and I spent the day touring the island and hiking some of the beautiful trails that take you between small coves and beautiful turquoise bays. I even took a swim in what I would call the refreshing side of warm waters.
