Putting Pinky’s Rottnest Island on the menu

How do you like the sound of dinner overseas and not even needing to remember your passport? Pinky’s Rottnest Island has extended opening hours this summer, with its all-day menu available until 8pm. If you combine this with the 9pm summer sailing back to Fremantle, you can enjoy dinner as the sun goes down over one of Rotto’s best beaches. Pinky’s is set within Discovery Resorts — Rottnest Island, the luxury glamping resort that sits above Pinky Beach, where powder-soft sand, aquamarine sea and views towards historic Bathurst lighthouse make quite the picture. Whether you are a daytripper or staying a while, Pinky’s Rottnest Island is a lovely spot to stop. From the ferry port, my husband Andrew and I cycle the easy 1km journey to the resort, taking a right as we reach the edge of the Settlement, continuing up Nyi Nyi Bidi to take in the beautiful ocean views over the bay. A left onto Kelly Street, then another left at Strue Road and we are here. The resort’s setting is beautiful, with eco tents either in the shade of a forest of tuart trees, Rottnest Island tea trees and Aleppo pines or unobtrusively nestled between the dunes and winding paths leading to Pinky Beach on the right and another of Rotto’s treasures, The Basin Beach, on the left. In the centre is Pinky’s sundeck, where we order a coffee and park ourselves under one of the many salmon-pink parasols, which are a striking contrast against the perfect blue summer sky. I feel like I’m in a fashionable Mediterranean beach club. And the fantastic coffee would make any Italian barista proud. I sit back and enjoy the beautiful view while Andrew takes off down the steps which lead straight onto Pinky Beach’s long stretch of sand to savour his first dip of the summer. The sundeck is a lovely place to sit, and there are plenty of tables and chairs, so even when it’s busy it doesn’t feel cramped. Andrew returns refreshed and ready for another cycle. We take our tried and trusted route, the Rotto mini loop. The 4km ride takes us up past The Basin, Longreach Bay and Geordie Bay, past Herschel Lake and Government House Lake, then on to the Settlement and back to the resort. Leaving our bikes in one of the many bike racks outside the resort, we take a walk along the boardwalk which leads us past tents that blend perfectly into the landscape, then on to the steps leading down to The Basin. The beach’s naturally hollowed-out reef makes it a lovely safe area to swim, and it’s a great place to snorkel, with opportunity to see an abundance of fish as well as some beautiful coloured coral. After all that sun, sea and sand, I think it’s time to eat. Pinky Rottnest Island’s all-day menu is served from 11am to 8pm and features sustainably caught Australian seafood, burgers and grazing boards. My WA Cape Leeuwin marinated octopus is tender and tasty, a rocket and watercress salad the perfect peppery accompaniment. Andrew tries the soda-battered blue-eye cod. The perfectly cooked delicate fish is enrobed in a crisp, featherlight batter, served with chips and salad. The restaurant’s barbecue menu is available 5pm-8pm, with seafood options including Skull Island tiger prawns and baby snapper; interesting veggies in the shape of charred broccolini with romesco sauce and charred corn or chat potatoes in garlic butter; and plenty to keep carnivores happy too, with a choice of chicken Maryland with romesco sauce, King Henry pork chops, Black Angus fillet with salsa verde, or a tomahawk for two. Spectacular sunsets can be savoured on the sundeck over one of the bar’s imaginative signature cocktails, with the Rotto Royal, a mix of gin, native limoncello, basil and orange bitters, getting my vote. A selection of traditional cocktails is also available, or if something spritzy is more your summer vibe, take your pick from a Pinky Beach, Basin or Aperol spritz. For those of you who have to drive once you get off the ferry, the watermelon & basil or passionfruit mojito mocktails might float your boat. The drinks menu also features a fine selection of Margaret River drops from the likes of Howard Park, Swings & Roundabouts, Leeuwin Estate, Stormflower and Amelia Park, as well as wineries from further afield. My craft-beer-mad husband thinks the beer menu could do with a few more imaginative entries from the local market, but I’m sure there is enough choice to keep those who prefer a hop-based tipple happy. After an excellent day, it’s time for the ferry. And while a daytrip is just the ticket, it’s very tempting to linger longer. fact file The 9pm ferry from Rottnest to Fremantle with Rottnest Express runs Thursday to Sunday. A return day-ticket costs $69, and passengers receive 10 per cent off the Pinky’s Rottnest Island summer menu with these tickets. discoveryholidayparks.com.au/resorts/rottnest-island rottnestexpress.com.au/offers/9pm-ferry-service Leyanne Baillie was a guest of Discovery Resorts — Rottnest Island. They have not influenced or read this story before publication.