Riviera Owners Explore the Hidden Beauty of Rottnest Island

Late summer in Western Australia is arguably the finest time to be out on the water, and for a select group of Riviera owners, a day spent circumnavigating Rottnest Island proved to be the perfect way to explore the hidden beauty of the island previously thought inaccessible by a larger motor yacht.

Organized by R Marine Perth, the event was led by Dealer Principal Ryan Lloyd and Senior Marine Technician Stuart Eddy. The concept behind the day was to explore some of the more secluded coves and bays of the island. Many boat owners think some of the smaller bays are inaccessible to a larger motor yacht, favoring the better-known Thomson, Geordie and Longreach Bays or anchoring in the Marine Reserve. What the day showcased was the amazing beauty of some of the lesser-known bays, it inspired a sense of adventure to explore new destinations and it powerfully demonstrated how to harness the full capability of their Riviera yacht and its systems.

For the day, a superb Riviera 505 SUV was kindly offered as the training yacht and an intensive itinerary was created by the team that covered hands-on anchoring practice, expert Garmin navigation training and demonstrations of how the use of onboard cameras, sonar and the Dynamic Positioning System can all make exploring new and wonderful boating locations just so easy. Following this fantastic experience, the crew enjoyed a relaxed lunch at the acclaimed Isola restaurant ashore.

For David and Ann Upstone, who own a Riviera 46 Sports Motor Yacht, Moët on Ice, the day began with a peaceful morning departure from the Royal Perth Yacht Club. Accompanied by Ryan and the 505’s owners, the group cruised down the Swan River, past the R Marine office, and out through the heads at Fremantle.

“We had a beautiful crossing,” says David. “At the island, Ryan guided us through several scenic anchorages including Parker Point, Salmon Bay, Little Salmon Bay and Fish Hook Bay – with its two-metre plus high sea eagle’s nest perched on the rocks overlooking the crystal-clear waters of this fabulous little bay where only three to four boats can fit. You need someone with Ryan’s experience to get in there, it’s very tight, but absolutely stunning.”

A lovely lunch and drinks at Isola were followed by more exploring before returning mid-afternoon via Eagle Bay, then Geordie Bay and finally Thompson Bay. “It was just a perfect day,” David adds. “What keeps us involved in these events with Riviera and R Marine is the staff and organisation. The service is first-class, the technical support is also first-class, and every trip with Ryan is an opportunity to learn.

“Ryan is a great communicator. Being around like-minded people makes it even more enjoyable. We undertook some anchoring exercises; it’s those small things, knowing how and where to set the anchor, that give you real confidence.”

Gail and Gavin Poplak, who were also aboard for the day, agree that this type of training enhances confidence. Riviera’s seaworthiness and smart technology make for confident and comfortable cruising aboard their Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht, 8Teen. The Rottnest Island trip was also their first experience using the Dock-Assist feature. This technology integrates Volvo Penta’s Dynamic Positioning System with joystick control, enabling precise, automated maneuvering, even in challenging conditions. “We really liked the DPS feature and are sure it will make our lives easier,” they say. “We are looking forward to less docking stress in the future!”

The Perth-based couple shared their appreciation for the event and their delight in meeting other Riviera owners who share a love of boating.

“We had a great day,” they say. “We’d not met the owners of the boat we went to Rottnest on and they were such a nice couple and quite similar to us, in that we also have Gail doing most of the driving and Gavin does the lines and fenders. We found we had a lot in common with them.”

Of course, having fun is central to these organized events. “The catering was great and there were lots of drinks available for those thirsty amongst us.”

The Poplaks also praised the organization of the Rottnest event and the hands-on learning opportunities it offered. “We learned tips about being the deckhand and helping the skipper to get in and out of tight corners, and more tips about anchoring and using charts in unfamiliar waters. It seems that each skipper has some tricks that are great for us newbies.”

Despite an unfortunate injury that kept Gavin off the water for over two years, the couple are excited to return to regular boating life. “We are really looking forward to reconnecting with the environment and the people that we have met and become friends with.”

The day encapsulated what Riviera owners have come to expect: not only a world-class motor yacht, but a sense of belonging to a passionate and well-supported boating family. Whether it’s learning new skills, exploring new waterways, or simply sharing a meal or drink and a laugh at anchor, days like these are what the Riviera life is all about.