Rottnest Island Art: Top Spots for Culture Lovers
Rottnest Island, or “Rotto” as the locals very fondly say, might be mostly well-known for its amazing beaches and adorable quokkas, yet there’s absolutely even more to it. It also presents some pretty special art and some very deeply interesting culture to explore. When you’re wanting some time away from the surf and sand, you could possibly get totally wrapped up in checking everything amazing out on the art scene there and checking all the cultural hot spots out on Rotto. I’m going to let you in on my personal favorites; this should, maybe, get your cultural exploration of this gem, located just off the coast of Western Australia, going.
1. Rottnest Island Authority Art Collection
Did you even know that Rottnest Island possessed its own art collection? Yes, it really does, in fact! The Rottnest Island Authority Art Collection contains pieces that offer some views and very valuable information related to the natural and human history that you’ll discover on the island. This stuff, like, literally holds pieces that go all the way back to the late 19th century, but basically it still puts a rather significant and super strong focus these days on showcasing some really very modern pieces. With more or less 500 pieces including things such as paintings and stuff such as sculptures too it’s almost too easy to completely get lost in checking this all out. That is if you are into looking at art. Actually, most of this artwork can easily get checked out, since they display them at many key spots right across Rottnest.
Why I’m personally always checking the Authority Art Collection out:
- The depth of the work offers some valuable island information, which definitely adds to its historical narrative.
- Seeing it makes my walk about town much more awesome!
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2. The Rottnest Island Museum
To learn all about the very deep and often definitely rather sad history of Rottnest Island, make time to spend at the Rottnest Island Museum. Set inside of an old mill that definitely goes completely back to the middle of the 1800s, the museum definitely offers looks at both of Rottnest Island’s periods. One look at how it has impacted many aboriginal communities and, another rather in depth look, into how they changed everything when Europe colonised everything. Actually the exhibits go totally deep on a whole range of super different topics, like for instance Rottnest has been one of Western Australia’s defense hot spots for decades now too it’s almost too much too take in!
Why I feel, just my personal opinion here, that a visitor definitely will get something great out of taking time for the Rottnest Museum. These visits are totally eye opening moments!
- A perfect overview of how Rottnest looked while its earliest European inhabitants lived there.
- They explain the effects Rottnest had on various generations of the local community perfectly
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3. Aboriginal Art and Cultural Sites
Before Europeans settled Rottnest Island it had, for that time at least, an original community there that called it Wadjemup, that to them was a very integral spot for their culture and really did represent their people’s spirit. Rottnest is peppered, and I mean that completely seriously, with various aboriginal sites and work that give those visitors a rare look into that people’s culture, including very holy locations and places that feature original artwork. Be aware though, before beginning any kind of aboriginal exploration you definitely need to check in with the right tribal and local leaders beforehand to show them complete respect and gain some valuable understandings. Some locations may only be able to have some visitors on completely certain terms.
What really stood out for me personally:
- It gives respect to people that called Rottnest their spiritual home.
- It really serves as a hands-on guide on the traditions of those original settlers!
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4. Historic Buildings and Architecture
One super cool thing, as I mentioned, about taking an aimless saunter through Rottnest will probably land you face to face with all kinds of awesome old buildings. So very many of these structures date so extremely far back to the early years of settlement, meaning all the local architectural spots are super integral to Rottnest’s full feel. You, and I am rather definitely sure about this, are basically free to enjoy sights everywhere; these absolutely include the Quod that looks extremely formidable plus that charming little Governor’s residence there, which are all standing testaments to that island’s whole transformation during its history. I really find just checking them out totally educational and super fun too!
Here is what you’ll most likely see, too it’s almost unreal, if you do what I do and simply walk amongst those fantastic places!
- A look at how everything used to get built, with that sweet colonial vibe still kicking!
- Seeing structures standing tall after decades gives insight regarding architectural standards over the generations!
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5. Rottnest Art Workshops and Events
To basically totally wrap up all of Rottnest’s art scene there has to be that super thriving gallery community plus any of the art events, basically it has what most folks could use for art, going on here. So I really do advise keeping up with all kinds of local showings where various super cool modern artists frequently show off their hot off the presses new work, maybe alongside very fun instructional art courses too where one could even go and, for instance, master that new super neat and trendy artistic approach for themselves. Actually it gives both new, and long in the tooth I should probably suggest, artists perfect chances both to basically sharpen existing skills, but perhaps it does help connect someone too while in contact amongst other creatives in that locale. So maybe this type of event is where everyone interested in checking everything regarding some kind of artwork happens here at Rottnest.
Why do all of these really get any sort of rating by me, like in my totally individual evaluation scale?
- Such classes often are super tailored toward every background. So absolutely never hesitate trying your luck there when that’s something that really piques an interest with yourself!
- A way that completely helps that community and shows respect too those people.
Read our full review: Rottnest Art Workshops and Events Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Local Showing)