The $25 million development near Pinky Beach opened in March 2019,with Discovery Rottnest Island director Tim Crosland at the time stating the 83 tents across four price points would appeal to couples,families and friends on a budget,as well as those who wanted to splurge.
Rottnest Island.
When bookings opened,the Rottnest Island Authority hoped the new accommodation would dampen criticism the island’s self-contained units were expensive and at times difficult to book.
But prices for the first week of January in 2023 are in some cases more than double.
WAtoday crunched the numbers for a family of four across all four price points.
In 2019,a superior family tent cost $1808 for four nights during peak season,now it is $4565.
A deluxe family tent used to cost $2452 for four nights,now it is $4965.
A superior tent,which can accommodate a port-a-cot or trundle bed,used to cost $1680 for four nights,now it is $4165.
The cheapest accommodation – a standard tent that only sleeps two – used to cost $1184 for four nights,now it is $3765.
Want to spend a couple of weeks in a deluxe family tent? It’ll cost you $17,290.
The prices are more than a five night stay (the minimum stay you can book) in the world-class Samphire Resort,which opened next to Hotel Rottnest in Thomson Bay in 2020. Five nights for a family of four in a poolside double suite costs $4225 in January.
A Discovery Rottnest Island spokeswoman said the eco-glamping development was hit heavily during the height of COVID-19 with the island closed to tourists for a considerable period of time.
She said the in-demand higher-end accommodation only made up a small portion of what was available.
One of the glamping tents at Discovery Rottnest Island.Supplied
“Running a business on Rottnest Island is incredibly expensive and we are grateful that a strong recovery and increased room rate driven by this demand,has enabled us to recover these losses,” she said.
“Like most tourism operators,our pricing is adjusted to demand and is at its highest over the peak summer period.”
Perth mother-of-two Jessica Sherrell has been visiting Rottnest since she was a child. It’s where her parents met and an idyllic playground she has returned to year after year with her own children.
“Our big family holiday every year has been to Rottnest,” she said.
Jessica Sherrell with her two boys on Rottnest.Supplied
“It’s where the kids learned how to ride a bike,snorkel,play cards and made friends.
“The glamping at the previously undeveloped and unspoiled Pinky’s Beach was touted as a place that was going to provide alternative affordable,comfortable family-style accommodation.
“Being just shy of $1200 a night is price gouging and not affordable for many Perth residents.”
The Discovery Rottnest Island spokeswoman said in January 2023 there were standard tents sleeping two people available from $410 per night,including breakfast.
Samphire Resort.Supplied
The governing authority’s most recent Rottnest Island Management Plan said it was inaccurate to associate the island with social or economic privilege and attributed those claims to potential visitors being unaware of the many low-cost options available to stay on the island.
But Sherrell said while self-contained accommodation on the island was still relatively affordable it was difficult to book under the much-maligned current system and her family had missed out for the past three years.
A spokesman for the Rottnest Island Authority said the authority had focused on renewing and expanding the range of accommodation options on the island and there remained plenty of affordable options,even in peak season.
He said Discovery Rottnest Island,operated by the G’Day Group,independently set its prices for accommodation.
“Rottnest Island Authority operate the self-contained accommodation,dormitory,campground and hostel on the island with prices during January 2023 starting from $40 per night for a campground site,” he said.
“Other prices include $163 per night for a cabin that sleeps up to six and $289 per night for a four-bed premium unit.”
Works on the $40 million redevelopment of the Karma Rottnest Lodge are expected to start midway through this year with an anticipated completion in 2025.
The site will be transformed into a 102-room resort with a range of mixed accommodation types,below-ground day spa,restaurant,sunset lounge bar,pool,coffee and gelato shop.
Tourism Minister Roger Cook declined to comment.
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