The sight of the P&O office reminded me of my departure on a P&O liner to Singapore from thence by air to London on our return from our 6 month gap 1/2 year in Australia. (was the term invented then?).
From Freo (Fremantle to you and me) we set sail for Rottnest Island.
It is an island 11km and 4.5 km at its widest point and ferries leave from Freo every hour.
The crossing is 19.7 km takes 25 minutes. A number of tour companies operate ferries. (c $60 return fare)
The island had 63 beaches and 20 secluded bays. There one encounters the famous Quokka,
colonies of Sea Lions, Fur Seals and Whale - September to December only. The island sports the remnants of Coastal Defence systems installed in preparation for WW11 and a maze of tunnels beneath the impressive WW11 gun on Oliver Hill.
Like much of Australia, Rottnest was once a penal colony and early colonial cottages dating from the 1840s were Home to prison wardens and pilot boat crews.
On arrival, we visited the tourist bureau. No motorized transport is allowed on the island with the exception of tour buses (I saw one) and the hop on hop off buses which pass various appointed stops every half hour ($20). The only other acceptable mode of transport on the island is the bicycle. You can bring your own or hire one.
We embarked at Thompson - the only point on the island where you can buy food with the exception of Geordie Bay, close to Thompson. We hadn’t realised this and consequently had nothing from breakfast (a slice of toast) to 16.00 hrs, when we arrived in Geordie. Some tourists arrived well equipped with their cool boxes but alas not us!!
CC took the Oliver Hill Railway to Oliver Hill Guns, a defence settlemebt with guns and a maze of tunnels built to protect Perth in the event of invasion during WW11. The gun was never fired in anger- the area never suffered attack.
J and I commenced our trip on the southern side of the island. Our first stop was Little Salmon Bay.
It was a virtual paradise with its aquamarine waters lapping the finest sand and peppered with yachts - the playground of the wealthy of Perth.
We walked to Salmon Bay and caught the next bus to Cape Vlamingh, where seals are visible in summer but alas it is Autumn! Here we had a view of the Indian Ocean. The waters were quite rough
and during WW11 two lookout post were built here This is the most western point on the island.
We continued north and on to Narrow Neck, the narrowest point in the island where both coasts could be seen. The north coast was not as attractive as the south as the bays and coves were larger. We arrived at Georgie Bay, where we purchased some food and took the bus back to our point of departure at Thompson Bay.
We returned to Thompson and decide to have a glass of wine - but alas no alcohol was being served without food. I thought it might be a State Law but no the island’s decision as visitors frequently get too drunk, the cashier informed us!! The food option was a rather large pizza!! As we had eaten we declined ! Hence no alcohol!!
The 17.55 ferry took us back to Freo. Dinner and an early return to Perth. Tomorrow Margaret River - we have to be ready for collection at 07.20!! More anon!!
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