On Thursday’s Great Australian Walks, host Julia Zemiro heads to Rottnest Island, known as Wadjemup to the Noongar people, the traditional owners of this land. Arriving by ferry, she traces the island’s history, including its naming by Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh in 1696. De Vlamingh, mistaking the local quokkas for rats, renamed the island Rottnest, meaning “rat’s nest.”
Today, the quokka has become an internet sensation, with celebrities like Roger Federer, Chris Hemsworth, Margot Robbie, and Rafa Nadal posting selfies with these adorable creatures. Julia embarks on a trail that takes her through the island’s diverse landscapes, from epic salt lakes to coastal shrubbery. She utilizes boardwalks that offer scenic views while also protecting the fragile wildlife habitat.
Along her journey, Julia meets Noongar elder Walter McGuire, who greets her with a traditional welcome of fire and water. Walter then takes her to a place usually closed to the public—the Quod, an island prison with a dark history. Walter shares a personal connection to this place, as his family was once imprisoned here. He explains that Wadjemup holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest number of Aboriginal deaths in custody in Australia.
Great Australian Walks: Rottnest Island/Wadjemup airs Thursday, 3 October 2024, at 7:30 pm on SBS.
