page_title: Colonial buildings of Rottnest Island
section_title: Governor's Residence
hierarchical_section_title: Colonial buildings of Rottnest Island / Governor's Residence
caption_attribution_description: English: Hotel Rottnest
context_page_description: Rottnest Island was first settled by European colonists in 1830 following their arrival at Western Australia and the Swan River Colony. Soon after, construction of a variety of private and public buildings commenced, many of which were built with Aboriginal convict labour and which remain today. This is a list of extant Colonial buildings of Rottnest Island, constructed between 1830 and 1896.
  The first European settler on the island was Robert Thomson, who established a modest farm for hay production, as well as a salt collection enterprise. In August 1838, a Corporal Welch was sent to Rottnest with ten Aboriginal prisoners. The following year, Thomson had his whaleboat stolen, supposedly by several of the inmates, and after complaints, Governor John Hutt decided to resume all land grants previously made on the island. Henry Vincent, a gaoler at the Fremantle prison was subsequently sent to the island as its first superintendent. Vincent went on to personally build or oversee the construction of many of the buildings listed. Building materials were mostly locally quarried limestone as well as timber from the local pine and featured distinctive rough plastered walls.
context_section_description: In 1848 Governor Charles Fitzgerald expressed an interest in a summer residence on Rottnest.  He resided temporarily in the First Superintendent's House.  His successor, Sir Arthur Kennedy authorised funding for the construction of an official residence and works commenced in 1858.  Architect Richard Roach Jewell as Superintendent of Public Works and Towns, designed the two-storey building, which was completed and occupied in 1864.
  Between 1909 and 1913 Governor Strickland attempted to extend the grounds of the Governor's Residence forward to the sea-front and behind to Government House Lake. This would have prevented the residents of the settlement from walking in front of the Residence to get to the chapel, and so the extension was not permitted. After this the summer-time residence of the Governor was moved to Albany.
  The Residence was converted to holiday accommodation in 1919 and in 1953 it opened as a hotel with a liquor license.  It has been known variously as the "Rottnest Hotel", "Quokka Arms" and as of 2015 "Hotel Rottnest".
  Major modifications and extensions to the buildings have been made over the years, including the addition of several short-stay units for tourists and a modern bar/restaurant facility.  The major architectural features of the Residence are still clearly prominent.
caption: Hotel Rottnest
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