Rottnest Island golf course: The Wadjemup Clubhouse applies for new liquor licence to serve drinks to everyone

Rottnest Island’s golf course bar could fill the gap left behind by the closure of local favourite Gov’s Bar earlier this year. The island is known for its tourist food and drinks hot spots, but locals who want to grab a bevvy away from the hustle and bustle of excited visitors have been left without a place to go following the Gov’s closure. In a bid to fill that gap, the owners of The Wadjemup Clubhouse at the golf course have applied to vary their liquor licence to be able to offer hospitality services to all members of the public. Currently, only those directly involved with golfing or lawn bowls activities at the course can buy drinks and food, but if granted a tavern-restricted licence, that could change. In June, RLR Holdings became the holder of the special facility licence, which restricts to whom they are able to sell liquor, and since then have been working to make improvements to the premises both physically and operationally. Last month, the company made an application to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to alter its liquor licence to accommodate requests of the public. “The applicant experiences significant demand and expectation from other people wanting to visit the premises and partake in the services and facilities who are currently turned away on a regular basis,” the application said. “Therefore, the applicant seeks approval to be able to cater for other people who may visit The Wadjemup Clubhouse and who may not necessarily be involved with golf, lawn bowls or a pre-arranged function at the time of their visit, including tourists and people living on the Island.” If approved, the application will not change any other operational elements of the facility other than who will be able to order a drink. RLR Holdings is also the new licensee of the Rottnest Lodge, which is currently in the early stages of a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the hotel.