Revisit Freo's ICONS... just like you would for family and friends when they come to stay. There’s unbelievable tales of escapes, stories of ghosts and haunted buildings, adventures and adversity. Fremantle Prison, WA Shipwreck Museum or Maritime Museum, Fremantle Markets and the Round House are open for a visit.
FREMANTLE FISHING BOAT HARBOUR
You’ll feel a world away strolling through Fishing Boat Harbour and that fresh sea air gives you an appetite for some of WA's freshest seafood. It could be picking up fresh fish and chips before heading down the boardwalk to watch the sunset or sitting down for the full dining experience. It’s all open…Kailis Fish Market Café has had a face lift, Little Creatures have launched Harbourside Freo and Kidogo Arthouse are running a stunning series of concert soirees right through August.
Image: Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour
It’s a destination in itself. Housed in a gothic heritage building in Fremantle's east end, Fremantle Arts Centre showcases free exhibitions, art classes and concerts. During August live music returns with Gallery Sessions, an intimate concert series featuring a double bill of WA’s most talented songwriters. It's also home to Canvas Café, beautiful grounds, and the FOUND Shop, which sells the largest range of WA-designed wares.
Image: Fremantle Arts Centre
Who knew the markets is one of only two surviving municipal market buildings in Western Australia, and one of the few in Australia that continues to be used for its original purpose. It’s a favourite for authentic street food and you’ll find local artists and designers selling their wares.
Image: Fremantle Markets
Did you know Fremantle Prison is a UNESCO World Heritage site? It’s one of eleven penal sites that represent the best surviving examples of large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts. And it’s in downtown Fremantle. As well as fascinating yours you can check out the latest exhibitions Protest and Unrest and Insider Art.
Image: Fremantle Prison
Little Creatures Brewery is something of an institution at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. It’s a fully operational and multi award winning brewery that now has outlets across the world. Step into the main hall to see the giant tanks and the unmistakable aroma of beers mashing in. It all started right here in Fremantle.
Image: Little Creatures Brewery
ROUND HOUSE
One of Western Australia’s historic built sites, the Round House was built in 1831 almost immediately after the settlement of the Swan River Colony. It’s the oldest public building in Western Australia with a difficult history that includes being a lockup for Aboriginal prisoners on their way to the penal establishment on Rottnest Island. Today volunteer guides are share their knowledge of the site with visitors daily from 10.30 am - 3.30 pm. Entry is by gold coin donation.
Image: Round House
Perched at the entrance to Fremantle Harbour where the Swan River meets the Indian Ocean, the WA Maritime Museum sits in sharp contrast to the historic city and streets of Fremantle. The museum is one of two WA Museum sites in Fremantle and its galleries explore WA's relationship with the sea. While HMAS Ovens is temporarily closed you can explore the current exhibition in the gallery space ITALY - Twilight skylines from Police helicopters.
Image: WA Maritime Museum
This museum is one of the most visited museums in Western Australia. It’s gallery spaces house relics from ships wrecked along the WA coastline including the original timbers of the Batavia (wrecked in 1629) which is the stuff of legend - mutiny, massacre and of course shipwreck. Opening 12 September, Deep Light: Illuminating the wrecks of Sydney and Kormoran is a poignant exhibition of remarkable images and footage that allow us to witness this tragic moment in WW2 history. On Saturday 5 September experience Museum after Dark a night of candlelit gallery tours, expert talks and live performances. It’s free but bookings are essential.
Image: WA Shipwrecks Museum