ABOUT US CAMP AUTISM WA

1st - 3rd August 2025

Rottnest Island

Holy Quokka-moley, what a rollercoaster of a ride it was to get to our latest camp weekend. 

Winter was in full swing with rough seas and a LOT of wind and rain forecast, which meant that our Sunday return ferries were cancelled at late notice due to the incoming storm. 

With options limited, the choice had to be made to shorten the camp and come back on Saturday, or have to spend an extra night on the island and return on Monday. Understandably some families couldn’t commit to a third night away, however most relished the chance of a bonus day on Rottnest.

Arriving for the ferries our 15 families could be forgiven for wondering what the fuss was, with blue skies greeting those departing Fremantle and Hillarys. Once out on the water it was a different story though, with the seas heaving the boats up and down. Most fortunately handled the trip well, although sick bags were sometimes close at hand.

  • Family smiling to camera aboard a ferry
  • Family aboard a ferry on the ocean

 

Once safely ashore, our campers had the chance to settle in and explore the surroundings. Many were amazed at how quiet the island was, with the weather keeping many visitors away for the weekend. At times it felt like we had the whole island to ourselves.

  • Brother and sister smiling at the camera outside a bakery
  • Girl walking along a road with a soft toy sitting in the hood of her coat
  • Group photo of families with children holding bicycles
  • A boy walking along a path surrounded by grass and trees
  • Two girls on bikes going for a ride around a village centre
  • A sunny day view of a Jetty into the ocean behind a tree
  • A view of a beach and the ocean on a sunny day
  • A family of 4 outside a chalet
  • Three Families walking and riding bikes along a path

 

Saturday morning brought on island activities, with Mini golf, the amusement arcade and a movie at the heritage listed Rottnest Island Cinema. 

  • A picture of an amusement arcade with families playing games
  • A boy in an amusement arcade playing air hockey
  • A boy in an amusement arcade playing air hockey
  • A father and son playing air hockey at an amusement arcade
  • A boy at an amusement arcade playing a fishing game
  • A boy in an amusement arcade playing air hockey
  • A boy in a hoodie lining up his shot on a mini golf course
  • A quokka inquisitively looking at a golf ball on a mini golf course
  • A family smiling at the camera holding golf clubs on a mini golf course
  • A picture inside a cinema with people watching a movie on a big screen

 

Of course a visit to Rottnest isn’t complete without getting up close (but not touching) the world’s happiest of animals, the Quokkas. Kids and adults alike couldn’t resist getting the obligatory Quokka Selfie. August happens to be the time of year where mummy quokkas are still carrying their joeys in their pouches. It was beautiful to see the little joey heads poking out inquisitively to see what all the fuss was about.

  • A family posing with a quokka
  • A mum posing with a quokka
  • A boy looking at a quokka standing on a picnic table
  • A boy crounching down looking at a quokka
  • A boy lying on the grass next to a quokka
  • A girl kneeling on the grass surrounded by 4 quokkas
  • A boy and quokka both looking and smiling at the camera
  • A mummy quokka with a joey in her pouch
  • A mum next to a quokka both smiling at the camera
  • A mum sitting on a stool with a quokka on the floor smiling at the camera
  • a man crouching down looking at a quokka on the pavement
  • A quokka sitting on the floor looking up and smiling at the camera
  • A close up of a quokka with a big smile holding some leaves
  • A boy kneeling on a wooden deck next to a quokka
  • A picture of a mum and son next to a quokka sitting on a table
  • A dad lying on the ground under a chair next to a quokka
  • A mummy quokka with a joey in her pouch sitting on a table
  • A mum posing for a photo with a quokka

 

Saturday evening dinner was a chance to get back together after an afternoon of exploring for those not deterred by the rain, and to celebrate those camp members who have celebrated their birthday recently.

  • Two boys sitting next to each other, one making a peace sign at the camera
  • A group of parents standing in a courtyard chatting after dinner
  • A group of families gathering in a courtyard celebrating group members birthdays
  • A group of families standing in a courtyard eating dinner
  • Two people sitting on a bench at dinner time
  • A picture of parents preparing dinner at a barbecue
  • A group of families in a courtyard eating dinner and chatting amongst themselves
  • A group of friends chatting in a bar

 

As Sunday morning arrived, along with wild winds and heavy squally showers, it became apparent why the ferries had been cancelled. The sea was very rough indeed! There are worse placed to be stranded though and with no day trippers to the island it truly felt like we had the island to ourselves. It was so peaceful and everyone appreciated that little bit of forced downtime.

  • Two girls sitting on a jetty on a grey cloudy day
  • A mum in a thick coat keeping warm on a cold day
  • A girl holding a soft toy exploring the shops around a village
  • A dad holding a cream puff from a bakery
  • A boy standing in a museum smiling at the camera
  • A picture from a jetty looking out over a coast with dark ominous clouds overhead
  • A boy in a scooter helmet and hoodie with a soft toy sitting in his hood

 

With rain still falling, many of our families set up camp in the Rottnest Hotel to spend the afternoon watching the footy The many Fremantle fans amongst us went home happy after a huge comeback win by the Dockers over Carlton

  • A picture of a pub where families gateher to stay out of the rain
  • A group photo of families in a pub watching footy
  • A group of friends sitting in a bar, with a quokka sat on a table in the middle
  • Two parents standing behind a table of mulled wine poured into glasses

 

As Monday dawned, the sun returned, but sadly it was time to finally depart Rottnest to head back to Perth. Fortunately the sea had calmed down a lot, so the ride home would be much smoother to round out a spectacular, engaging and fulfilling weekend. Quokkas might be the happiest beings on Rottnest, but our campers would be a close second after this trip.

  • The sun starting to rise over the ocean on a clear morning

 

Massive thanks to Kat and John for organising this camp. The late notice changes threw up many challenges, but you dealt with it all brilliantly.

Our final camp of the year will be the biggest of the year, and is returning to a perennial favourite, Busselton. It’s sure to be a great weekend. For those who are going, we’ll see you there. For those who missed out, keep an eye out for upcoming catch ups and also our Christmas Party Day Camp. Details will be released closer to the dates

A boy lying on the grass next to a quokka
Girl walking along a road with a soft toy sitting in the hood of her coat
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