The city is named after Charles Fremantle, the English naval officer who had pronounced possession of Western Australia and who established the camp at the site. The city contains well preserved buildings and other heritage sites. The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for Fremantle is "Freo".
Old Fremantle Prison
How to get there: take the free shuttle CAT to the Fremantle Market (Station No.11)
Opens daily from 10am to 5pm.
The Fremantle Prison is one of Western Australia's premier heritage sites, centrally located in the heart of the port city of Fremantle. The Prison was built by convicts in the 1850s and was closed as a place of incarceration in 1991 after 136 years of continuous use. It was opened to the public in 1992 as a tourist site and in recognition of its heritage value.
The Fremantle Prison offers a range of tours for visitors (i.e., Doing Time Tour, Great Escape Tour, Torchlight Tour, Tunnels Tour and School Tour...). A tour of the Fremantle Prison is a fantastic and fascinating day out whether you are a local, interstate or international visitor. Far more than just one of Western Australia's premier heritage sites, the Fremantle Prison is a piece of living history. Step inside and be transported back in time to experience both the good and bad of our history. See the tiny cells in which people lived day after day, the stunning art painted straight on the walls and the inspiring convict-made architecture.
The point of no return for the prisoners
The small sport court, the only entertainment.
Rows of tiny cells
The Entrance
The tiny tiny single cell due to space confinement. The Round House
How to get there: take the free shuttle CAT to Shipwreck Gallery (Station No.24)
Opens daily 10.30am to 3.30pm. Free admission.
The Round House is the oldest remaining building in Western Australia. It was built as a gaol and was the first permanent building in the colony.
It was designed by HW Reveley, the colony's first civil engineer, and built in 1830 - 1831. The Round House had eight cells and a gaolers residence which all opened up into a central courtyard.
Bay whaling was carried out from Bathers beach below the Round House. As part of the whaling operations a tunnel was constructed under the Round House to provide whalers with access to the town from the jetty and bathers beach.
When the first convicts arrived in 1850 the Round House was inadequate to house them so the convicts built a new goal which was completed in the 1850's and continued to be used as Fremantle prison through until 1991.
The Round House was not used as a prison when, in 1886, convict establishment became the responsibility of the colonial government. Instead, the Round House was used as a police lock-up through until 1900. It then became the living quarters for the chief constable, his wife, and their ten children.
The Fremantle City Council took over responsibility for the Round House from 1982 when the headland was vested in the city. The building was opened to the public soon afterwards and can now be viewed seven days a week.
Looking out from the top of Round House.Town Hall
The only 19th Century Town Hall in the metropolitan region. Largely unaltered since construction. Built 1885 - 1887 by E. Keane. Clock supplied by local watchmaker W. Hooper who imported it from London in 1888. Modern civic building added 1964 and extended 1973.
Walk west through Pedestrian Mall, High Street. The building still largely maintains the character and style of the Victorian and Edwardian era. Glance above the awning level for the original character of these buildings. Cross Market Street, Pakenham Street and Henry Street and turn right up Mouat Street.
Fremantle Markets
How to get there: take the free shuttle CAT to Fremantle Markets (Station No. 11)
Opens on Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday and Public Holiday 10am to 5pm.
Over 150 stalls offering everything from ocean-fresh seafood, fruit and vegies, cheeses, freshly baked bread, coffees, gourmet foods, herbs, spices, health food, painted t-shirts, cane-ware, pottery, fantastic clothing, finely crafted jewellery and much much more.
Over 150 stalls offering everything from ocean-fresh seafood, fruit and vegies, cheeses, freshly baked bread, coffees, gourmet foods, herbs, spices, health food, painted t-shirts, cane-ware, pottery, fantastic clothing, finely crafted jewellery and much much more.
If you're interested in unique Western Australian Gifts then the Markets are the place to go. Sheepskin and leather goods, jarrah and cane products, dried wildflowers, opals, local shells and pottery are all available.
The building which houses the markets was originally built as a market hall in 1897 and the current building has been restored to its original Victorian grandeur.
You will also be entertained by buskers both inside and outside of the markets as you stroll from stall to stall, or rest your weary legs and quench your thirst at the market bar.
