Winter is looking cosier at Discovery Rottnest Island after renovations were completed in late June that protect the dining area at Pinky’s Beach Club from the colder elements making the space more comfortable for cross-seasonal dining, alongside the launch of a new warming winter menu.

Pinky’s also recently welcomed back Head Chef Marco Facchinetti. Fachinettti returned to his hometown, Sulbiate, just outside of Milan in northern Italy, at the start of the pandemic but his quality of life on Discovery Rottnest Island drew him back two years later. While in Italy Marco studied at the prestigious ALMA-Scuola di Cucina Italiana with highlights including masterclasses in traditional pasta and pizza making.

The updated menu showcases the best of the islands native produce alongside Marco’s Italian influence. Highlights include oyster tempura with finger lime, fried baby squid with Rottnest saltbush and seared prawns with buttered samphire to start, before moving on to spaghetti with lobster, or market fish on coconut and tomato risotto with blue swimmer crab butter.

These sophisticated additions are served alongside Pinky’s casual beachside classics including burgers and fish and chips and a special children’s menu, with Sri Lankan-style curries and lamb shanks also rounding out the generous menu.

Marco explains what it is about cooking on Rottnest Island that drew him back to Australia: “What I like about Rottnest Island is the tranquillity- the beauty of living here is that you leave your problems behind. I can focus simply on making beautiful food from fresh ingredients, and love going fishing and diving for lobsters.”

After being closed for nearly three months Pinky’s Restaurant has undergone an extensive renovation that has enclosed what was previously an open-air dining space. The expanded dining space is protected from the elements but is specially designed to filter through the winter sun. Overhead heat lamps have also been installed to keep diners toasty during the winter months.

Media enquiries: Brittany Harmer, Corporate Communications Manager | 0415 655 191, brittany.harmer@discoveryparks.com.au.

About G’day Group

Founded in 2004 with three caravan parks in WA, G’day Group is now Australia’s leader in regional accommodation experiences with more than 340 properties across the country.

G’day Group operates more than 90 holiday parks and resorts under the Discovery Parks and Resorts brand, with properties in iconic regional destinations, including Kings Canyon, Rottnest Island and the world famous El Questro. The Group is also home to G’day Parks, a network of 240+ independently owned, licensed parks and the G’day Rewards loyalty program, which has 260,000 paid members.

Beyond holiday parks and resorts, the Group owns Wikicamps, Australia’s largest regional travel community and the #1 paid app in the App Store with more than 300k monthly active users, as well as Bookeasy, a specialist provider of booking management systems and technology solutions to leading destination management authorities in Australia and New Zealand (operating as BookIt).

G’day Group has property assets valued at $2 billion and is on track to become a $2.5 billion business by 2026. The company is majority owned by Australian Retirement Trust and founder and CEO Grant Wilckens is a Board Director of the South Australian Tourism Commission and former Chair of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia.