Thomsons, Rottnest Island

Rottnest is quintessential old WA and a delight to visit with overseas guests. We all enjoyed our midweek jaunt to this island a ten-minute walk took us to the Basin where we swam, snorkelled and sunbathed before heading back to the main area for lunch.

On previous visits, I hadn’t been impressed with the food or service available on Rottnest so I was hoping that Thomsons would be an improvement.

Just a short walk from The Settlement and overlooking the marina, sitting on the balcony at Thomsons was a big tick. Seagulls and other wildlife are kept at bay with netting covering the open areas.

We checked the menu and the blackboard specials and decided on Tempura prawns ($29.50), Calamari ($26.50) and a Beef burger ($26.50). All of these meals came with chips and a small salad.

My tempura prawns were really battered prawns in disguise – outside of Japan I’ve never really had true tempura batter – but they were good. My daughter’s calamari was slightly overcooked but also good and my son-in-law really enjoyed his beef burger. All in all much better than my previous Rottnest food experiences.

I had hoped that there would be more seafood on the menu. There are two seafood platters – the largest has crayfish, snapper, octopus and prawns served with chips at an expensive $150 for two people.

Patrons must order from the counter area and food is delivered to the table. Water, cutlery, napkins and condiments are nearby – just help yourself.

Wait time for food delivery was not too long but I did wonder whether the restaurant was short-staffed mid-week as a lot of the tables were left uncleared for some time.

As well as a fully stocked bar, the Wine Room is another area of Thomsons featuring some impressive wine choices such as a Nuit St Georges at $150 a bottle.

Thomsons is a good choice to while away some time waiting for the ferry and is definitely a step up in eating places on Rottnest. Try and time your visit in between the arrival of island buses as a large influx of people come through Thomsons doors at those times.

The restaurant serves kids meals for the grandchildren and there is a playground right outside.

Address: Colebatch Avenue, Rottnest

Phone: 08 9292 5171

Reservations: No

Opening hours: 12 noon until late. Lunch is served until 3pm

Gluten-free options: Yes

Vegetarian options: Yes

Entertainment Book: No

Website: thomsonsrottnest.com.au

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About Hazel Broomhead

My name is Hazel and I am a Perth senior!

Originally from Edinburgh in Scotland, my husband and I moved to New Zealand with our children in 1974. As my husband is in the oil business, we moved to several other countries including the Sultanate of Oman, the Netherlands, Singapore, the Philippines, the USA, Russia and Kazakhstan during the next 36 years before retiring to Perth.

We have six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who live in different parts of the globe – New Zealand, Scotland and Colombia - which makes a great excuse for us to travel and visit.

My career background is in radio and print journalism in Scotland and New Zealand as well as public relations in various other countries.

We love to eat out, walk, travel and enjoy the wonderful lifestyle here in Western Australia.

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