- Almost 1,500 students from lower-socio economic schools to experience overnight school camp on Rottnest Island
- 41 schools will receive a 100 per cent subsidy on accommodation and bike hire with a further seven schools receiving a 75 per cent subsidy
- Some schools travelling from as far as the Gascoyne and Mount Barker
- Western Australian Government initiative makes overnight school camps on the island more affordable for school students
The Western Australian Government's new Rottnest Island school camp subsidy for lower socioeconomic schools has been a huge success, with almost 1,500 students set to enjoy a school camp on the island.
During Term 3 this year, 48 schools will travel to Rottnest Island for camps of one-to-three nights, with many travelling from regional areas including Leonora, Mount Barker and Burringurrah, a remote Aboriginal community in the Gascoyne
The initiative means families will save more than $80 per child for an overnight camp and more than $150 per child for a three-night camp.
The subsidy covers accommodation in Kingstown Barracks dormitories, hostel and Governor's Circle; bike hire from Pedal & Flipper Hire and educational tours delivered by the Rottnest Voluntary Guides Association. Subsidised ferry transfers are also available.
The subsidies are in addition to those available to all school groups throughout the year, which includes a 40 per cent accommodation discount for school group bookings, discounted rates on bike hire, and waiving of the island admission fee.
As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We're proud to be providing this opportunity for more young Western Australians to experience our iconic island paradise at Rottnest Island and saving families more than $80 per child for an overnight camp and $150 for a three-night camp.
"I'm particularly excited to hear that many of these students will be travelling to Rottnest Island for the first time - some from as far the Gascoyne, Goldfields-Esperance and Great Southern regions.
"We're really happy with the uptake of this initiative, and hope students and teachers have an incredible time on their camps later this year and create lifelong memories."
