SeaLink Rottnest service

SEALINK Travel Group today revealed it would introduce a new ferry service between Fremantle and Rottnest Island using a 400- pax high speed catamaran in Nov.

Managing director and ceo Jeff Ellison said the company wanted to increase visitor numbers to Rottnest Island, a destination that has been constrained by a lack of capacity during peak periods.

“When SeaLink acquired the Western Australian Captain Cook Cruises business in Feb 2016, we recognised the opportunity to introduce the Rottnest Island service was a logical and exciting step, capitalising on our current visitor market in WA plus our extensive int’l market reach”.

Captain Cook Cruises, which operates leisure cruises on the Swan River in Perth, will redeploy MV Capricorn Sunset from SeaLink’s Gladstone ops to facilitate the new service.

Ellison said nearly half a million people visit Rottnest Is annually.

“We’re confident we can grow visitor numbers and increase the reputation of the destination by our excellent service & promotion of the Island destination through our extensive domestic and international marketing,” he said.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said the govt was hopeful the new service would put downward pressure on the price of a trip to Rottnest, “making it affordable for families & tourists who wish to enjoy a holiday on the island”.