Recreational Business Proposals

What we look for

Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) manage recreational and leisure businesses on the island via concession agreements. These include a wide range of activities such as water-based activities, guided tours, food and beverage offerings, adventure experiences, and an Aboriginal cultural walking tour. 

Through the annual Expression of Interest (EOI), RIA seeks new and exciting recreational businesses that bring a unique offering to the island. RIA looks for concepts that will provide significant appeal to the diverse range of visitors coming to the island. Offerings must reflect the quality and richness of the island destination and be compatible with the island’s environmental and heritage values.

Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Experiences

Proposals for new Aboriginal Cultural Tourism experiences and activities are sought. Prospective proponents can submit proposals to RIA at any time and do not have to wait for the annual EOI process.

Wadjemup is a place of great significance for Aboriginal people and their connection to the island is long, significant and enduring.  Alongside this, the island has a tragic history as a place of incarceration, segregation and forced labour for over 4,000 Aboriginal men and boys from across Western Australia from 1838 to 1931.  

In late 2021, RIA launched its fourth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). RIA’s vision for reconciliation is to build respectful, trusting and equitable relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while acknowledging this past.

Current key RAP initiatives include:

• promote Aboriginal tourism on Wadjemup;
• develop commercial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses; and
• continue to develop and expand Aboriginal tourism opportunities and partnerships for the island.

In line with these initiatives, RIA is seeking to connect with established and aspiring Aboriginal Cultural Tourism operators who will:

• educate visitors and promote culture through the provision of services and activities that directly engage with Wadjemup’s past, present and future; 
• provide an authentic experience, through activities or products, that promotes the advancement of truth-telling and walking together; 
• deliver an experience that engages engages Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal visitors; and 
• promote opportunities to engage and learn about Wadjemup’s past to enable a deeper experience, connection and understanding. 

Examples of potentially suitable offerings:

• storytelling including Dreamtime stories with connections to Wadjemup; 
• emerging or established Aboriginal businesses providing education around cultural practices such as bush medicine, traditional weaving and textiles, and bush tucker foods etc; 
• emerging or established Aboriginal practicing artists providing experiences and services to the public, including workshops, either for general audiences or with a particular focus on families; 
• cultural tours of Aboriginal sites and buildings across the island, where appropriate; 
• dark tourism opportunities, linked to the prison era of the island, where appropriate; 
• cultural talks in the Wadjemup Museum; 
• Cultural Yarning Circles for sharing of knowledge and cultural lore between Aboriginal presenters and the public, where appropriate; and 
• Aboriginal artisan markets. 

Aboriginal groups and individuals with specific ideas on potential tourism programs are encouraged to contact RIA for further discussion to develop these ideas going forward.

RIA will consider additional support, training and networking with local Aboriginal groups as required to help facilitate the development of new and developing tourism programs.

Aboriginal businesses interesting in submitting a proposal for cultural activities and experiences on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island should contact [email protected] for information on how to apply.

How to apply to start a business on Wadjemup

Each year, we release an Expression of Interest (EOI) period that calls for proposals for new recreational, leisure and Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences.

Here is how to apply.

Preparing your application.

Ensure you detail why and how your business will contribute to the visitor experience on Wadjemup. Your application is required to address the evaluation criteria detailed within the Expression of Interest document.

Submitting your application

Once your application is ready, this is to be submitted by the close date provided. Submissions are to be detailed within the EOI document.

Evaluating your application

Once you submit your application, the evaluation panel will assess it against the evaluation criteria as detailed within the EOI document.,

Recent new business successes

Recent Recreational EOI rounds have seen a range of diverse new businesses begin operation on the island which have been embraced by visitors. For example, Simmos and Havza at The Basin, Boost Mobeel and Rottnest Water Taxi. We would love to see your business join them in their success.