Turquoise bays, bike rides and quokkas. That’s what most people think of when they picture Rottnest Island. 

For many visitors, snapping a selfie with a quokka is a must-do. 

It turns out the island’s most photographed refill stations are not far behind. 

With over 800,000 people visiting each year to explore the beaches, cycling tracks and heritage sites, staying hydrated isn’t just a nice extra. It’s essential. 

Rottnest is car-free, environmentally sensitive and shaped by layered history, from Wadjemup’s deep Aboriginal heritage to its military and maritime chapters. 

That’s why every decision about public amenities matters, especially when visitors spend hours outdoors in coastal heat.

The challenge: Supporting High Visitor Volumes in a Protected Landscape

Rottnest Island’s location presents its own set of infrastructure challenges. 

It is remote. 
It experiences intense sun and coastal exposure. 
It operates within strict environmental and heritage guidelines. 

Visitors spend hours outside, walking, cycling and swimming at places like The Basin, Thomson Bay, Kingstown Barracks and Geordie Bay. Drinking water needs to be easy to find, reliable and built to last, all while protecting the island’s natural beauty and history. 

Reducing single-use plastic is a priority for tourism destinations across Australia. On an island, managing waste is even more challenging and carries a greater impact.

The Solution: Strategic Refill Points Using Aquafil FlexiFountain and FlexiShower Systems

Drinking water refill points across Rottnest Island feature Civiq’s Aquafil FlexiFountain models, selected for their durability, accessibility and suitability in exposed coastal environments. 

Refill points are positioned across high-traffic, high-need areas including: 

• Thomson Bay Settlement 
• Army Jetty 
• Kingstown Barracks 
• The Basin 
• Vlamingh Lookout 
• Geordie Bay 

Each location aligns with natural visitor flow. Arrival at the ferry terminal. A rest stop along a cycling loop. A full day spent swimming and snorkelling. 

At The Basin, one of the island’s most popular swimming spots, hydration is supported alongside rinse-off facilities. The installation includes the Aquafil FlexiShower, allowing visitors to wash off salt and sand before refilling their bottles. The combination of showers and refill stations supports comfort, hygiene and high beach usage during peak periods.

Accessibility Built Into Every Location

Accessibility is embedded across the network. 

Both the Aquafil FlexiFountain  range is designed with inclusive access in mind, including: 

• DDA-compliant drinking heights 
• Wheelchair-accessible bottle refill areas 
• Clear knee and toe clearance 
• Easy push-button activation 
• Side access for mobility devices 

This ensures children, older visitors and people using wheelchairs or mobility aids can refill independently at every key location. 

Accessibility is not retrofitted. It is designed in from the beginning.

Built for Coastal Conditions

Standard public infrastructure does not withstand Rottnest’s environment. 

It must handle: 

• Salt corrosion 
• High UV exposure 
• Sand and wind 
• Continuous seasonal use 

The refill stations are built for tough coastal conditions, using durable stainless steel that stands up to public use. Easy-access bottle fillers encourage reusable bottles. Straightforward maintenance keeps them performing year after year. 

Placement supports flow. Accessibility supports inclusion. Durability protects long-term investment.

The Impact: Reducing Waste While Improving Visitor Experience

For tourism destinations, small infrastructure decisions create long-term ripple effects. 

When refill stations are easy to find and use, more people bring their own bottles. That means less plastic waste and fewer bottled water deliveries to the island. 

Most importantly, it improves the visitor experience. 

Visitors can cycle the island with confidence. 
Families can stay longer at the beach. 
Event days are better supported. 

Hydration becomes seamless.

A Model for Island and Regional Destinations

Rottnest Island shows how the right water infrastructure can support tourism, sustainability and heritage protection all at once. 

It proves that refill culture is not limited to cities. It works in remote and environmentally sensitive places too. 

If you’re planning upgrades, the message is clear. 

Strategic placement. 
Coastal-ready durability. 
Infrastructure designed for the long term.

Planning Upgrades for Your Coastal or Tourism Destination?

Whether you’re adding new refill points, upgrading old fountains or planning for busy visitor sites, now is the perfect time to review your assets. 

Book a Free Hydration Review with our team and let’s map your current locations, identify gaps and plan for long-term performance across your parks, beaches and visitor precincts.