Bus stop project at Rottnest Island ceased on 7 October

Rottnest Island in Perth will not continue its main bus stop project at the current site after ancestral remains were discovered during works.

Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) will not continue its main bus stop redevelopment at the current location after the project officially ceased on 7 October 2026. The decision affects the transport precinct beside Holy Trinity Church and follows the discovery of Aboriginal ancestral remains during construction.

The island, off Perth in Western Australia, remains accessible to visitors, but the planned interchange will not be completed as originally intended.

Rottnest Island bus stop project ceased on 7 October

The main bus stop redevelopment began in March 2026 and was suspended after remains were discovered in early April on the grounds of Holy Trinity Church. The remains, referred to culturally as Baalang, were taken to the mainland for testing and returned for a culturally appropriate burial in May.

The Rottnest Island Authority made the decision after advice from the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation, the Wadjemup Aboriginal Reference Group and the Wadjemup Whadjuk Cultural Authority. ABC News reported the project decision on 7 October 2026.

The authority and the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation said the project could be revisited if another suitable site becomes available. This makes the change lasting for the current location rather than a short construction pause.

Holy Trinity Church access continues beside the burial site

A new pathway to Holy Trinity Church will proceed because it improves access without affecting the burial site. The change separates the church access work from the cancelled bus stop redevelopment and leaves the location connected to the island’s wider heritage story.

Rottnest Island was used as an Aboriginal prison between 1838 and 1931, according to the ABC report. State records cited by the broadcaster say more than 3,700 Aboriginal men and boys from across Western Australia were imprisoned there, while many people were buried in unmarked graves.

The authority said future memorialisation of the Baalang site will be developed in consultation with Whadjuk Traditional Owners and will relate to the broader Wadjemup Project. Memorial works at the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground were expected to finish early in 2027, while work at the Quod, a former prison building, was expected to finish later in 2026.

How the cancelled interchange changes a Rottnest Island visit

The bus stop decision concerns a planned redevelopment, not a general closure of the island. The practical effect for visitors is that the main interchange will not appear in its proposed upgraded form, while the pathway to the church is due to continue.

Rottnest Island’s heritage context is therefore part of the visit as well as its transport setting. The Baalang site is connected to memorialisation work, and the authority’s decision places consultation with Whadjuk Traditional Owners at the centre of what happens there next.

Visiting Rottnest Island: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The bus stop redevelopment ceased on 7 October 2026 at the current site beside Holy Trinity Church.
• The planned interchange will not proceed at that location; a new pathway to the church will continue because it avoids the burial site.
• Ferries leave for the island from Perth City, North Fremantle, Fremantle and Hillarys Boat Harbour, with journey times ranging from 25 to 90 minutes according to the island authority.
• The place includes heritage areas linked to Aboriginal imprisonment and memorialisation, so visitors should follow signs and respect restricted or protected sites.
• English is the main language used for visitor information in Australia, and the national currency is the Australian dollar.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Rottnest Island

What changed at Rottnest Island on 7 October 2026?

The main bus stop redevelopment ceased at its current location after Aboriginal ancestral remains were discovered during construction.

Will the Rottnest Island bus stop project restart elsewhere?

The project may be revisited if an alternative suitable site becomes available, but no replacement location was announced on 7 October 2026.

Where is Rottnest Island and how do you get there?

The island is off Perth in Western Australia and can be reached by ferry from Perth City, North Fremantle, Fremantle or Hillarys Boat Harbour.