Fremantle
Located on the coast of Western Australia, just 19km from Perth, Fremantle is the most historic city in the west of the country. There is always plenty to do in the dynamic and bustling port city of Fremantle, considered Perth's old town, full of vitality, colour and culture. The streets lively with the songs of street musicians, the pavements filled with art collections and the music emanating from trendy cafes and bars make this small city a perfect place for fun and entertainment. Stroll along the 'Cappuccino Strip', Wray Avenue and South Terrace to find lively cafes or visit one of the stylish microbreweries offering an incredible range of tasty amber beers. Fremantle's multicultural mix is most evident in its food scene. A strong Italian influence has produced a wide variety of pizza and pasta restaurants, while Asian, Indian and other cuisines can also be found nestled amongst Fremantle's winding streets. You'll also find some of the state's most popular seafood restaurants dotted around Fremantle's colourful fishing boat harbour - the perfect place to sample the bounty of the Indian Ocean. Fremantle has a wonderful nightlife with several clubs, pubs and bars playing live music into the early hours. If you're feeling energetic when you leave the clubs, cafes will be open for morning coffee.
Art lovers will find Fremantle arts and cultural experiences ranging from gallery exhibitions to indigenous designs and street art on the pavements. Fremantle is also home to Australia's Notre Dame University, whose investment and restoration of many old buildings has breathed new life into the West End as students from around the world fill its streets. Fremantle also offers shopping seven days a week, allowing visitors to relax with a cup of coffee before heading out in search of innovative fashion or a special gift in Fremantle’s quirky shopping districts. Shoppers love Fremantle for its fun Australian fashion and independent designs. Young and emerging designers choose Fremantle to launch their stunning new designs – there are around 50 boutiques crammed into Market and High Streets. Don’t miss the vibrant weekend markets for the freshest fruit and vegetables, as well as an eclectic mix of buskers, stalls and produce. Even if you don’t buy anything, an afternoon wandering around the markets is enough to take your mind off your everyday worries.
On the other hand, Fremantle, steeped in Western Australia’s pioneering history, offers a fascinating trip back in time. The Round House precinct, which features the distinctive 12-sided Round House prison, built in 1831, is a testament to the state’s convict heritage. Adjacent to the prison is the Whalers Tunnel, which provides a historic passage from Bathers Beach across the hillside into the city. Fremantle Prison, built by convicts in the 1850s, is a world-class heritage attraction that invites visitors to explore its history through a series of engaging tours. Fremantle’s maritime charm adds another layer to its historic tapestry. The Western Australian Maritime Museum documents the state’s maritime history with world-class exhibits, including the iconic yacht Australia II, winner of the 1983 America’s Cup. Meanwhile, the Western Australian Shipwreck Museum, on Cliff Street, displays artefacts from the infamous 17th-century Dutch Batavia shipwreck, offering a fascinating insight into stories of bravery, survival and mutiny. Fremantle’s shipbuilding prowess is showcased through historic sailing vessels, with opportunities for visitors to experience life aboard an 1850s-style sailing ship. To delve further into Fremantle’s heritage, there’s the Fremantle Arts Centre, housed in a neo-gothic building built by convicts in 1860, offering gallery spaces, a café and gift shop, all within a fascinating heritage site with a history as a lunatic asylum and refuge for homeless women. To unravel the secrets of old Fremantle, embark on a guided tour and explore the town’s heritage buildings and streets in a non-traditional, immersive way. Learn extraordinary stories of convict prisoners, maritime heroes, murderous mutineers and pioneering settlers. Known as the world's best-preserved example of a 19th-century harbourside cityscape and home to Western Australia's largest collection of heritage-listed buildings, Fremantle has a depth of character that cannot be replicated anywhere else.