SHOUT OUT TO FREMANTLE'S OWN
After winning gold at the 2019 Western Australian Tourism Awards in the Cultural Tourism category and silver in the Major Tourist Attractions category, the Fremantle Prison is a nominee for the national Cultural Tourism award at the 2019 Australian Tourism Awards. Congratulations on the nomination and good luck to the Fremantle Prison!
Image: Fremantle Prison Parade Ground
SPOTLIGHT ON NORTH FREMANTLE
If you are looking for somewhere to wine and dine, there are plenty of foodie gems to be found in North Fremantle. Queen Victoria Street is lined with wonderful options such as Propeller with their famous cabbage rolls (pictured), Habitué, Mrs Brown Bar, Flipside Burgers and Piggy Food Co. Along the coast you can choose from Bib & Tucker, Coast Port Beach, The Orange Box or Jessie's at the Beach. If you are after a coffee stop then you can check out Bruce Town or Ooh Coffee. If it's a few beers and some live music that takes your fancy then try Mojo's Bar, Port Beach Garden Bar at the Railway Hotel or the Swan Hotel. We are spoiled for choice in North Fremantle!
Image: Propeller's famous cabbage rolls
Photo credit: Jessica Wyld
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that Fremantle's West End is one of the largest single places to be permanently included in the State Register of Heritage Places? The area includes 250 buildings and 200,000 square metres between Market Street to the east, Collie Street and Marine Terrace to the south, Little High Street to the west and including both sides of Phillimore Street to the north. The West End is a rare example of an intact business district established in the gold boom era. A stroll along High Street can feel like stepping back in time as you look upon the stunning original buildings - there's plenty of photo ops and The National Hotel Rooftop provides a fantastic view of the precinct.
Photo credit: Paul Smyth
VINTAGE SHOPPING PERTH'S BEST OPEN AIR SHOPPING CENTRE
Fremantle has an old soul, so it’s not surprising to find a strong analogue vibe threading through the shopping offerings, alongside our boutiques and specialty stores. Paperbacks, vinyl, retro clothes and vintage bric a brac: when the old school urge strikes, Freo delivers. Check out Vintage in Wonderland, Get Lucky, Nifty in Freo and Bonjour Ma Belle for new outfits. Hey Joe Retro and Old Values are worth a look for furniture and homewares. Beat Happening is a shrine to vintage culture, selling tees, books, comics, vinyl and kitchen collectables. Record Finder and Mills Records have you covered for tunes and you can lose yourself in Elizabeth’s Bookshop or Bill Campbell Books looking for your next read.
Image: Bill Campbell Books
WHAT'S NEW
Burgers, dumplings, pizza, gelato, a local brewery and more! The Sunshine Harvester Works has something for everyone. Formerly The Mantle, Sunshine Harvester has expanded and is ready to welcome you, your friends and family for tasty eats from a range of foodies including Bumplings, Ray's Satay, Dingo Sauce, Fish Boss, Stampede Gelato, Short Order Burger Co, Freo Pizza Factory, Gratias Organic Vegan Cafe, Pantry 92 and Union Brewery and Distillery.
Image: The Sunshine Harvester Works
WHAT'S ON
DON'T MISS HIGHWAY TO HELL
This once-in-a-lifetime event will see Canning Highway transformed into the world's longest stage this weekend. On Sunday 1 March, the finale of the 2020 Perth Festival, Highway to Hell will celebrate the late, great AC/DC frontman Bon Scott - Fremantle's most famous son. From 5 pm, the event will claim 10km of open highway for local and international acts to perform AC/DC songs from stages on the back of semi-trailers in a slow parade from Applecross to Fremantle. Many of the city's major music venues will be hosting special events and after-parties to celebrate all things AC/DC. Check out the events at Clancy's Fish Pub Fremantle, Freo.Social, Mojo’s Bar, Metropolis Fremantle and the Newport Hotel.
Image: Perth Festival
Photo: Cam Campbell
SCULPTURE AT BATHERS
This weekend is your last chance to view the amazing Sculpture at Bathers exhibition which finishes Monday 2 March. With over 90 works by emerging and recognised Western Australian sculptors, this is an unforgettable cultural experience in the heart of Fremantle. Discover sculptures on the beach, lining the timber boardwalk, along the winding path, in bushland below the limestone cliffs at Arthur Head and inside the historic Kidogo Arthouse. While you’re there stop in at the gorgeous Kelp Pop Up Bar for a drink.
Image: 'Untitled Girl (Coral, I am always connected)' and 'Untitled Boy (Coral, I am always connected)’ 2019 by Alessandra Rossi
Photo credit: Tegan Court
SUNSET MILITARY SPECTACULAR
The Australian Army Museum of WA presents the Sunset Military Spectacular on Sunday 8 March at the Artillery Barracks, Burt Street, Fremantle. The concert will feature performances by the Australian Army Band Perth, Royal Australian Navy Band WA, Royal Australian Navy Ceremonial Guard, HMAS Stirling and the Massed Pipes & Drums of the Australian Army Band Perth and 51 ACU Swan Regiment Drums & Pipes. Tickets are available now and include a visit to the museum prior to the concert. This event is unlike any other on the Fremantle calendar and is not to be missed.
Image: Australian Army Museum of WA
AFL WOMEN'S AT FREMANTLE OVAL
Come along with friends or bring the family down to Fremantle Oval for a fun day out supporting the AFL Women's competition. Cheer on the Fremantle Dockers team at their remaining Home Games this season - Sunday 8 and Sunday 22 March. Arrive early to secure your spot on the brand new Visit Fremantle Chillout Deck - the best seat in the house - with lounge furniture, astroturf and fun activities for families. There will be food and beverages available for purchase. See you at the games!
PAINT THE PORT | VICTORIA QUAY
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at painting, drawing or taking a fantastic photo of the port? Then get on down to Victoria Quay, Fremantle Port for the first Paint the Port Community Day on Saturday 14 March from 12 pm - 4 pm. Coinciding with the arrival of ocean liner Queen Mary 2, Fremantle Ports is running an art contest and pop-up art gallery celebrating all things maritime, with prizes for photographs, paintings and drawings of Fremantle Port. There will also be heaps of kids’ activities. You can even enter your own artwork in the exhibition for your chance to win!
THE ADVENTURE TRAVEL FILM FESTIVAL
Ever wondered what it would be like to leave your life behind and go on an adventure beyond your wildest dreams? Wonder no more, come to The Adventure Travel Film Festival Fremantle! This feast of offbeat independent travel films, made by the adventurers themselves, will inspire and delight you. This exciting event will run from Friday 20 - Sunday 22 March, check out the Facebook event. For your chance to win tickets, check out the competition at the bottom of this page.
Image: Asia Less Traveled, a film at The Adventure Travel Film Festival
SOUND AND WAVES | PERTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Immerse yourself at Perth Symphony Orchestra’s production of Sound and Waves on Wednesday 25 March at Fremantle's historic Victoria Quay. This will be a celebration of the unique and spiritual relationship West Australians have with the ocean. Whether you surf, swim, fish, sail, or came to Perth by boat, this concert aims to bring to life our Indian Ocean through a stunning music soundtrack featuring works by classical greats such as Vivaldi and Gershwin and contemporary composers including Ross Edwards and John Butler. Set by the sea at the iconic B Shed in Fremantle, the program will evoke a sense of movement and awaken the spirit of the ocean.
Image: Perth Symphony Orchestra
FREMANTLE SETS ON THE BEACH
If you love a beach party then look no further than the Sets on the Beach, the Fisher Beach Party coming to South Beach! Featuring FISHER (Follow The Fish extended set), Booka Shade (LIVE), Maya Jane Coles, Pnau (DJ SET), Little Fritter, Martin Ikin, Piero Pirupa and Tina Says this party is set to be the peak summer sesh. Sunday 29 March, 12 pm - 9 pm, strictly 18+. Grab your tickets now as numbers are limited.
Image: Sets on the Beach Facebook page
EXHIBITIONS | FREMANTLE
Artists and exhibitions featured in our port city are ever-present. In association with the Perth Festival, the Fremantle Arts Centre is host to Janangoo, Bricolage and John Prince Siddon: All Mixed Up until Sunday 22 March. You can always find something to marvel upstairs at Japingka Aboriginal Art, such as the beautiful image pictured which is part of Anangu Artists - We Carry Story in our Hearts. The WA Maritime Museum are currently hosting the Container - the box that changed the world and Ancient Rome exhibitions. This month the West Australian Society of Arts Exhibition 2020 will be held at the Italian Club Fremantle from Friday 6 - Sunday 8 March and the Insider Art exhibition is on at the Fremantle Prison is on until Sunday 8 March. The International Watercolour Exhibition Fremantle (IWEF) will be held at the Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery on Henry Street from Friday 13 March - Monday 13 April.
Image: Teresa Baker - Minima Marlilu Tjukurrpa
UPCOMING GIGS
Fremantle is a port city with a musical soul and the home of live music in WA. There are some great gigs coming up this month including The Darkness at Metropolis on Wednesday 11 March, Cedric Burnside at Mojo's Bar on Saturday 14 March, Things of Stone and Wood 30th anniversary tour at Clancy's Fish Pub Fremantle on Sunday 15 March, The National - two sold out shows at the Fremantle Arts Centre over the weekend of Saturday 21 March, Kasey Chambers at Freo.Social on Saturday 21 March and Josh Pyke at Mojo's Bar on Sunday 22 March. Be sure to visit the websites of the city's venues for other upcoming shows.
Image: Things of Stone and Wood, Clancy's Fish Pub Fremantle website
SOUTH BEACH SUNSET MARKETS
These gorgeous markets offer food from around the world, cold drinks and live entertainment in a stunning location by the sea. South Beach Sunset Markets are on every Saturday evening from 5 pm - 9 pm through summer. This is the perfect place to watch the sun going down over the Indian Ocean and take in the beauty of Fremantle. Don't forget your bathers!
Image: South Beach Sunset Markets Facebook page
COMING SOON
REVEALED WA ABORIGINAL ART MARKET
For the very first time, the Revealed WA Aboriginal Art Market will run over two days at our beloved Fremantle Arts Centre on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 April. This incredible event is the only market which brings together WA’s 25 remote and regional Aboriginal art centres and independent Aboriginal artists in one place to sell their artworks. Revealed celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of Aboriginal artistic practice all over the state and one hundred percent of profits from all Revealed sales return to the artists and art centres. For art lovers, culture buffs and visitors to WA, the Revealed Art Market is unmissable.
Image: Fremantle Arts Centre
FREMANTLE INTERNATIONAL STREET ARTS FESTIVAL | 10 - 13 APRIL
Fremantle International Street Arts Festival started as a celebration of Fremantle’s local busking culture in 1999 and has grown into a showcase of the world’s best street theatre. Each year over the Easter long weekend, the streets of Fremantle are transformed into an open-air theatre of the amazing, weird and wacky, while Fremantle’s famous alfresco dining steps up a notch, with pop-up bars and eateries extending into the streets. Come down and watch mesmerising shows as the streets come alive and the whole city becomes a stage.
Image: Fremantle International Street Arts Festival
COMPETITION TIME
THE ADVENTURE TRAVEL FILM FESTIVAL
Enter now for your chance to win one of five double passes to The Adventure Travel Film Festival in Fremantle. This is your opportunity to be inspired by offbeat independent travel films, made by the adventurers themselves.
Entries close at midnight AWST on 4 March 2020 and the winner will be contacted by email and announced on the Latest page of this website. Terms and conditions apply.