Upgraded Rottnest jetty opens with late ferry service

  • Rottnest Island $12.9 million main jetty upgrade ready for summer
  • 9pm summer ferry service returns from Thursday to Sunday
  • New booking system Stay Rottnest is operating

A major upgrade to the main entry point to Western Australia’s most popular tourism destination is ready for summer.

The $12.9 million redevelopment of Rottnest Island’s six-berth main jetty coincides with several new initiatives to enhance the experience of island visitors.

The concrete deck area on the jetty has been extended five metres and almost five metres wider to match the end of Berth 3. The additional length will allow for safe clearances for future ferry berthing and the extra width will ease congestion in peak times

Four of the jetty’s six berths are used by commercial ferry providers for visitors to access the island. Berth 4 reopened to ferry operations this week.

A wave screen has also been installed on Berth 5 to improve the ability to use Berth 4 during strong northerly winds.

In addition to the main entry upgrade, the island is ready for summer with some new offers available to visitors.

A 9pm ferry service will begin operating from Thursday to Sunday so visitors can stay later on the island.

The late ferry will run from 15 December, 2022 until 31 March, 2023 with special offers.

A new booking website, Stay Rottnest, was also launched last week. The website includes improved room descriptions, images, floor plans and greater visibility of available accommodation.

As stated by Tourism Minister Roger Cook:

“No substantial work has taken place on Rottnest’s main jetty since the 1970s and this upgrade funded by the State Government will help to better position the island for the future.

“The main jetty project is one of a range of key infrastructure and visitor amenity developments, totalling more than $100 million that have been undertaken or funded in recent years to help Rottnest remain one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations.

“The new late ferry from Thursday to Sunday is a great initiative for people who want to stay later or even pop over to the island for dinner.

“Visitors travelling after 12pm will also benefit from a discount on admission fees.”

/Public Release. View in full here.