Celebrating its first birthday, Discovery – Rottnest Island is welcoming West Australian tastebuds to discover a new side to Rotto at Pinky’s Beach Club.
A year since opening, Executive Chef Karl Wulf is on a mission to make the Rottnest day-trip a foodies delight, with a menu that focuses on simple dishes showcasing local ingredients.
“While Rottnest is a hugely popular overnight holiday destination, around 70% of visitors to the island actually come over just for the day. We want these people to think of Rotto as more than just a beach day out, but a food experience,” said Karl.
“Over the past 12 months our guests have given us great feedback. We’ve heard that what people want is simple, quality food – without pretences.”
“It’s also become clear that people want to start their day on Rotto with a laid-back buffet breakfast, and we’ve reshaped our offering with this feedback in mind,” said Karl.
“Above all, Rotto is about natural simplicity and that’s what you’ll find at Pinky’s – whether it’s for breakfast, a glass of wine, or dinner with the family,” said Karl.
The location of Pinky’s Beach Club is hard to beat for its natural beauty, and the seasonally changing menu features contemporary takes on classic cuisine, with fresh local fish a key theme.
Pinky’s Beach Club has become known as the best place on the island to enjoy a sunset drink, with the evening ‘golden hour’ the busiest time of each day.
The new Pinky’s buffet breakfast features both cooked and continental options included in the room rate and also available to non-guests for $25 per person. There are also fresh ‘grab and go’ options for those who prefer to eat while exploring, or who are dashing to catch the ferry.
Since opening in March 2019, Discovery – Rottnest Island has welcomed over 10,000 visitors with an occupancy rate that has exceeded expectations.
Director Tim Crosland said that he has been humbled by the level of support the property has received since opening.
“As a local who has grown up visiting Rottnest, I know what the island means to West Australians. For years there was a distinct need for more quality accommodation, and we have been incredibly aware of the need to create something that respects the ethos and natural environment,” said Tim.
“Overwhelmingly, we’ve been told we’ve got this balance right – we’ve created a property we can be proud of for being authentically ‘Rotto’, while also being of world-class appeal,” said Tim.
Discovery – Rottnest Island won Gold at the WA Tourism Awards and is nominated for the Australian Tourism Awards being announced on 6 March. It has welcomed high profile guests including Chris Hemsworth and Bob Geldof among others and has received accolades from international publications such as TIME Magazine, FORBES and The New York Times.
The booking lead time for Discovery – Rottnest Island bookings is a huge 80 days (the industry average is less than 40). Around 75% of guests who stay at the property are from WA.
The property has been popular with international guests, with the top international markets being The UK, Singapore and the USA. The number of Japanese guests is increasing with the introduction of direct All Nippon Airways flights to Perth.
