Rottnest ferries cancelled for the weekend as severe weather rolls in
All ferry services to Rottnest Island will be cancelled over the weekend on the back of predictions for swells of up to five metres to hit the island’s coastline.
It is the first time since 2018 the ferries to the popular holiday destination have been cancelled due to severe weather warnings.
Severe weather warnings have forced the cancellation of Rottnest Island ferries this weekend.Credit:AAP
On the Rottnest Express website, the company announced: “Due to the inclement severe weather forecast we have cancelled all ferry services on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June.”
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts strong winds of up to 30 knots this weekend, with swells reaching up to five metres.
It has warned against any coastal activities such as swimming, surfing and rock fishing.
Duty forecaster Jessica Lingard said people would not want to be out on a boat this weekend, with a combination of high swells and seas.
“There is a good active front of thunderstorms predicted to come through, which could mean wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour over the ocean,” she said.
“High swells are not unusual for this time of year, but they are on the higher end this weekend, especially when combined with the storm.”
She said as of Friday morning, the thunderstorm was sitting off the coast of Garden Island and the cold front was off Cape Leeuwin, moving towards Perth.
David Bombara has been caught up in the cancellations after arriving at the island on Thursday, only to be told all ferries, including his return trip planned for Sunday morning, would be cancelled.
“It would have been nice to be told before we left, but it is what it is, and we’re pretty happy to spend more time here,” he said.
“We knew it was going to be a wet weekend coming over, the ferry was a little choppy but not too bad.
“The plan is to make the most of our time together. We have a family member who is visiting from Canada and the rain won’t deter us, we’ll be going for plenty of walks and bike rides, take some quokka selfies.”
Bombara said his accommodation at Fays Bay had asked them to pay for the extra night they would need to stay, but for a 50 per cent discount.
“I think that’s reasonable, the only other option would be to swim home,” he said.
Weather Zone predicts a strong cold front to sweep over the region, arriving on Friday afternoon and bringing heavy showers, strong winds, and the potential for thunderstorms.
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