Step back into timeless Fremantle!
Fremantle is the ideal place to learn about Western Australia’s pioneering history. You can experience extraordinary stories of convict prisoners, maritime heroes, murderous mutineers and pioneering settlers at an excellent range of museums and attractions.
Known as the world’s best preserved example of a 19th century port streetscape and boasting Western Australia’s largest collection of heritage listed buildings, Fremantle possesses a depth of character that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
In a country predominately settled by convicts, it is not surprising that the first permanent building to be built in Western Australia was a prison. The Round House Prison, so named because if it’s unusual 12 sided shape, was built in 1831 and is an essential part of any itinerary for visitors to Fremantle.
The Round House Precinct originally housed a courthouse and gallows all within a fifty metre radius from the prison, and today, a “Whalers” tunnel leading from Bathers Beach below the precinct through the hillside to the town, can still be traversed.
With a ratio of three convicts to every one free man, the town quickly outgrew the tiny prison and was forced to build a larger scale prison precinct. The Fremantle Prison is now one of Western Australia’s premier heritage attractions. The Prison was built by convicts in the 1850s and was used continually as a place of incarceration and punishment for almost 140 years. Visitors today can explore the Prison’s fascinating history on an entertaining Prison Day Tour, Tunnel Tour Adventure or Spooky Torchlight Tour.
As a working port city, Fremantle also claims an intriguing maritime history. The Western Australian Maritime Museum is especially popular with its stunning maritime design, set on Victoria Quay at the entrance to Fremantle Harbour. Here you will find Western Australia’s rich maritime history well documented through a series of world class displays and presentations. The Maritime Museum is also home to the internationally renowned Australia II yacht which contentiously won the America’s Cup from the Americans in 1983.
The Shipwreck Museum in Cliff Street is another absorbing attraction. It houses the original timbers from the infamous 17th century Dutch Batavia shipwreck which sank in 1629 further north at the Abrolhos Islands. There are also exhibits of gold and silver coins, furniture, crockery and cutlery as well as stories of bravery, survival and of course mutiny from the shipwreck.
Another intriguing museum in the vicinity is the Army Museum which showcases the entire colonial and post-federation periods through to the end of World War II.
How about visiting the character building housing the Fremantle Arts Centre? While appreciating the exhibitions, you can learn about the centre's fascinating history as a lunatic asylum and shelter for homeless women. Built by convicts in 1861, the Arts Centre now houses gallery spaces, a café and a gift shop.
You can experience much of timeless Fremantle on board an historic Fremantle Tram Tour which fills you in on the secrets of old-time Fremantle or follow a selfguided walking trail through the streets of Fremantle - free walking trail maps are available at the Visitor Centre.
Want more info?
Fremantle Visitor Centre
Town Hall, Kings Square, Fremantle
Tel. 61 8 9431 7878