The History of Rottnest Island
Visitors can experience Aboriginal,European,colonial,maritime,military,recreational and social heritage on Rottnest Island, which to a certain extent is reflective of the development of the State of Western Australia.
The history of Rottnest Island has created a rich and significant cultural heritage. First records of human occupation of Rottnest Island are from more than 6,500 years ago when the Island was still attached to the mainland, and Aboriginal people inhabited the area.
Since its initial European exploration from the 17th Century and its settlement in 1829, Rottnest Island has been through a number of stages of development and has been used for a variety of purposes.
