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Fremantle is a port on the western coast of Australia, facing out into the Indian Ocean. Often referred to as Freo, it's not just a suburb or outgrowth of Perth, but a city in its own right — it's where Western Australia got started. Later on the action moved upriver to Perth city centre, which meant that Fremantle missed a lot of modern development, and retained its charming character.
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The convicts that were transported to Australia from the UK built it in 1851 to house themselves. Following the end of convict transportation in 1868, Fremantle Prison served as Western Australia's main maximum security prison until its closure in 1991. Today it remains as a building as part of the Australian Convict Sites and is used for several purposes including as an art gallery, museum and conference center. Basic tours run throughout the day, and a 'Torchlight tour' runs on Wednesday and Friday nights, which explores the history of prison hauntings. For the adventurous, the tunnels tour will take you through the tunnel network underneath the prison.
Shipwreck Galleries
Recognised as the foremost maritime archaeology museum in the southern hemisphere. The Museum is housed in 1850s-era Commissariat building and has since been restored to its historic glory. Steeped in history, the galleries house hundreds of relics from ships wrecked along WA’s treacherous coastline, including the original timbers from the Batavia (wrecked in 1629), the de Vlamingh plate, and also countless artifacts from the Dutch shipwrecks Zuytdorp, Zeewijk and Vergulde Draeck.
A wonderful collection of vessels, including the winged-keel Australia II, which won the America's Cup. You'll also find a full history of marine activity on the West Australian coast. A tour of HMAS Ovens, a retired Oberon-class submarine, is well worth the time.
Western Australia's first permanent building. Built as a prison in the 1830s, the Round House now serves as a small, but informative museum, that focuses on the convict lifestyle of the 1800s. Now restored and updated with more detailed information, maps and volunteer guides (although the tour of the building is mostly self-guided).
The Whaling Tunnel was built to provide easy access between the original Bather's Beach port and the town of Fremantle. The tunnel has been restored, and has detailed explanations of its construction and local artifacts, making it a worthwhile self-guided tour.
A terrific view of Fremantle Harbour and beyond. The Signal Station at the top is now home to the Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue (the building is not open to the public). The Army Museum is at the foot of the hill as well and is easily visited at the same time.
A museum for Contemporary Arts with a shop and a cafe. In summer free Sunday music sessions in the courtyard.
Part of Fremantle Arts Centre, a contemporary art gallery. The Moores has six individual exhibition spaces and a cafe.
including Wilson Park with lots of shade. Besides the kiosk for food and drinks, it also has a basketball court, changing facilities and showers and large grassy picnic area with BBQ's. Try out the traditional sauna operating adjacent to the park if you need some warming up during the colder days.
Famed for its 'backpacker and student' Wednesdays, it plays hosts to a range of bands, international DJs and other music genres in "The Bandroom". Continuing onto the weekend, Newport offers those interested the chance to catch their favorite sport in "The Atrium". Or if pool is the better option then the "Front Bar" is also available. No entry charge.
A club located on Marine Parade. It is one of the biggest and busiest in Fremantle. Metros is divided into different sections, offering RnB, bands belting out 1980/90s hits, house and electronic music on different nights. On the plus side, it is loud, busy, and the place to be seen. On the downside, there is a $10 cover charge before midnight and a $15 charge after. Get there early or expect a long line to get in.
Stylish Italian restaurant with the view to the Cappuccino Strip. Pasta, seafood, meat dishes and a large wine selection.
Gino's Cafe and Trattoria
One of the first cafes in Fremantle and the epicentre of the Cappuccino Strip, Gino's opened on 29 November 1983 when Gino Saccone (1937–2001) decided to turn his tailoring business on the corner of South Terrace and Market Street into a cafe. The coffee has been surpassed by other cafes in Fremantle, but the history cannot be. Offers a mean breakfast and a lunch and dinner menu. Hard-pressed to find a seat, if you do get one, you would be in for a treat with the selection of cakes and strong coffee on brew. Mostly al-fresco dining, it is the place to have a Sunday get together with friends and family. You order at the bar, and for coffees (not food) should stand and wait and carry it to your table yourself (no other cafes around here do it this way).
Shishkebab Cafe
Serving souvlaki (Greek-style kebabs) for well over 20 years, real fresh marinated lamb, chicken, pork and beef cooked on the BBQ. Also a selection of vegetarian dishes such as Greek vegetarian capsicum feta omelette, Greek pita wrap, green vegetarian spinach feta omelette, and the popular Falafel. Also a wide range of sauces and dressings and the usual accompaniments.
This famous cafe has been around since the 1920s and is notable for its selection of pies and pasties, as well as an old-style milk bar. Try the caramel slice while you're there. Be aware that it does get crowded around lunch time. If you cannot find a seat inside, take one of the outdoor tables (place your order at the counter inside and pick it up at the window, if need be). The air conditioning is always on.
A lovely cosy café in a building designed by Brian Klopper. Not the best in the heat of summer, but for a warm winter coffee (and wonderful food) this place is one of the best in Freo. Be sure to check out the brick-and-railway-steel construction.
A nice little corner café with great coffee and pretty good food. Not much outside seating. Inside is nice, with tables probably more suited to groups than solo poets (although sitting at the long bench in the window is a great place to watch the passing world). Staff are friendly, and dogs are made welcome.
A great place to get a coffee while waiting for the ferry to Rottnest, but also a very atmospheric place to be when there is not a ferry expected (as it can get quite crowded) and watch the activity in the harbour. There are interpretive signs and photos around the walls explaining the history of the building and its role in immigration to Western Australia. The cafe is next to the Rottnest ferry operators' ticket counters.
Buzzy restaurant on the water. Opened in 2000, the huge shed that houses the current restaurant used to be a crocodile farm and was the birthplace of Little Creatures Brewing, whose is sold around the world. Try the Pale Ale, it's famous. It's still a working brewery: you'll be surrounded by beer mashing tanks and see the brewers going about their work. Just around the corner from the brewery, Creatures NextDoor is a cosy bar with great view of the Fishing Boat Harbour. There's an eclectic menu, but Little Creatures is famous for its wood-fired pizzas.
Nice cafe in the old tram barn at the end of High Street, right near the Roundhouse. Inside and outside tables. Interesting murals inside.
offers a fantastic dining experience for those who love seafood and are passionate about wine. It sits on the southern end of the South Terrace, which is a lively area in the evenings, with many bars and restaurants where locals still outnumber tourists.
Serves unique beers, brewed on-site. If beer isn't your thing, you can quite easily get a local or international wine, cup of coffee or feed yourself at the al fresco Brewers Courtyard or on the balcony overlooking the famous Cappuccino Strip.
Offers a large menu of cocktails and drinks accompanied with great band music on the weekends. Whilst there is something on 7 days a week, it is the weekend where you see this restaurant cum bar packed with eager party going people. Closing at 1AM, the band plays a range of genres with the top 40 hits in between sets.
Found inside a converted boat shed and crocodile farm, is a "cellar door" bar/restaurant. The beer is fresh (straight out of the conditioning vat, as fresh as you can get!), the food is great (dinner served until 11PM, wood-fired pizzas until midnight) and nothing beats watching the sun set through the masts of Fishing Boat Harbour.
A modern pub, with accommodation above. Until 2016 this was the Irish pub Rosie O'Gradys.
This craft beer and pizza place is above the Dôme cafe on the Cappuccino Strip. It has a good selection of local craft beers, a great veranda, and wood fired pizza.
A nice cheery fresh place to have a pint, especially for the live acoustic music. There's almost always a busker playing good pub songs or a small band clustered around the grand piano later in the evening. Used to be located within Fremantle Markets, but was booted out in about 2015. Re-opened in 2018 in its present location opposite Luna cinemas, and has kept lots of the original fixtures such as the bar, the panoramic painting of Fremantle, and even the big green end wall with its stained glass window.
Relaxed, fun, Caribbean style beach bar in the heart of Fremantle's west end. If you're in for a rum, you're in the right place here.
Built in the 1850s it's the only accommodation in Western Australia with UNESCO World Heritage Status. 202-bed hostel in the former prison - some beds are in old cells and some are in a new building
Shared dorm accommodation, doubles, twins available.
Features 54 serviced apartments in Fremantle (1-3 bedrooms). Located right on the quay in Challenger Harbour.
A standard "international style" hotel, and rather pricey (although you can pay more in Fremantle). It is definitely worth the price as it looks over the large Esplanade Park that lies on the other side of Marine Terrace. It has a swimming pool and gym in its central courtyard, and a number of food and drink venues within the hotel. Its central location is also a plus, surrounded by things to do, places to see, and good restaurants and cafes. The Esplanade bar on the corner of Collie Street and marine Terrace is a good place for an end-of-the-day drink.
Property dating from 1892 on the slope of Monument Hill overlooking the town to the Indian Ocean and with Rottnest Island on the horizon. The three grand two storey houses offer traditional accommodation and old style breakfast
Off the Cappuccino Strip, still considered central, the old cottage style homestay provides a welcoming entrance. With a price range of $200 and above, this place promises you an opportunity to step back in time with its limestone architecture and unique interior. A stay at the bed & breakfast includes all the modern necessities and a continental breakfast.
Modern Fremantle Accommodation
On the banks of the Swan River, Pier 21 Apartment Hotel offers fully self-contained one- and two-bedroom apartments with spectacular views.
Tradewinds Hotel has modern guest rooms, conference facilities, and a rooftop bar with views of the Swan River.
There are two connected sheds that house fruit sellers and a variety of other shops, be it souvenirs or music CDs. Resembles a rather quaint and a much much smaller version of Covent Garden in London. Take your time to look through the markets, because you never know what you'll find there.
By train
Suburban trains run from platform 7 of Perth railway station (the above ground one, not Perth Underground).
By bus
There are many Transperth buses that arrive and leave Fremantle. Routes 998 (clockwise) and 999 (anti-clockwise) are quick and frequent services that lead to Fremantle.
By ship
All cruise ships berth at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal on Victoria Quay. The terminal has a café and licensed bar area and public conveniences.
Fremantle is mostly flat, relatively compact in size and good for walking. It is well worth seeking out information and interpretation - as not all of Fremantle history is that obvious in its current state.
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