Rottnest island (bunkers)

blakjak · 04 Jul 2013, 7:46 pm

I'm sure most of you westy boys have already done Rotto, but those who haven't should.
And apart from the awesome bunkers, there are also the colonial atmosphere & the furken quokkas! Very cute.

Here's a small selection of the pix I took (with my crappy 8mp camera) the last time I was there 2 years ago....

1. Number 1 gun (restored). Note the perspex cover inside the barrel to keep wildlife out.

2. Another view of Number 1 gun.

3. The breech inside the 'gunhouse'.

4. Remains of the former railway that carried ammo & other supplies to the Oliver Hill battery.

5. The entry to the magazine, engine rooms & tunnels.

6. One of the many rooms leading off the tunnels (selfy).

7. The highlight of this Island, the Quokkas...

Interestingly this island got it's name from these critters. The first people who landed here (the Dutch) thought they were giant rats. So they named it Rottnest which translates to Ratsnest in English. Gotta love those crazy pot smoking Dutch.

I have heaps more pix from there, I just put up a few as a teaser.

Enjoy.

Nuggs · 04 Jul 2013, 8:54 pm

Nice!
Are all parts of the fortress accessable?

blakjak · 04 Jul 2013, 10:20 pm

Nuggs wrote:Nice!
Are all parts of the fortress accessable?

Not really. But for a measly $10-15 (I forgot) you get a guided tour of the number 1 gun (which has been restored) & most of the associated tunnel system. The number 2 gun (60m away) is unrestored, & it was not included in the tour. You could realistically walk over to it & explore, but I didn't have the time as the last railbus back to the harbour was about to leave & I didn't wanna walk the 4kms. During the tour of the tunnels I snuck off & checked out the sections beyond the yellow rope on my own, the guide didn't seem to mind. There were some sections that are not restored, but most of it is pristine with signs & displays showing what each section was used for.

I want to go back, & also check out the Shepards Hill bunkers as well.

Spades · 05 Jul 2013, 10:28 pm

Once again, another fantastic bunker post by Blakjak. Keep up the good work man, it's truly impressive to see your level of knowledge being posted in our forum

Also, amazing pics^

Scarecrow · 08 Jul 2013, 3:23 pm

Some more photos.

blakjak · 10 Jul 2013, 2:08 am

lol we must have stood on almost the exact same spot to take these pix even though they were taken years apart...

1) Gun pedestal.

Scarecrow wrote:

2) Shell loader (rocker).

Scarecrow wrote:

3) Information board with diagram.

Scarecrow wrote:

Scarecrow · 10 Jul 2013, 12:58 pm

It's just one of those places where everyone will always take the same photo.

'Place feet here for photo A'.
'Place feet here for photo B'.
'Place feet here for photo C'...

dougo · 10 Jul 2013, 4:47 pm

Scarecrow wrote:It's just one of those places where everyone will always take the same photo.

'Place feet here for photo A'.
'Place feet here for photo B'.
'Place feet here for photo C'...

Sit on gun and pretend it's your knob for photo D

blakjak · 11 Jul 2013, 12:39 pm

dougo wrote:
Scarecrow wrote:It's just one of those places where everyone will always take the same photo.

'Place feet here for photo A'.
'Place feet here for photo B'.
'Place feet here for photo C'...
Sit on gun and pretend it's your knob for photo D

Seeker tried that, but I made him look like a d***-head...

binjuice · 11 Jul 2013, 2:52 pm

It is just so good to see it all how it was instead of a bare shell.

blakjak · 11 Jul 2013, 5:04 pm

More Oliver Hill battery (Rottnest Island) pix..

1. Lower gun floor.

2. Lower gun Floor (close up).

3. Gun shell/cartrige hoist.

4. Gun pedestal (close up).

5. Magazine shell hoist.
[img]ttp://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/9249684306_5dcae83fc6_o.jpg[/img]

6. Side view of gun.

7. (dummy) Cordite cartriges.