Rich in history yet full of life, Fremantle (Walyalup) has been trading on its ample charms for centuries. 

Feature by Julie Hosking 

Affectionately known as Freo, the bustling port city draws locals and visitors alike with its tantalising blend of old and new, not to mention the superb seaside setting. Just 30 minutes by car or train from Perth (Boorloo), it is also a wonderful way to spend half a day. Whether you have a hankering for history, a passion for the arts or simply fancy a boutique brew or two by the ocean, Freo equals fabulous.

Explore the high seas

Freo doesn’t just offer sparkling views of the Indian Ocean but a deep connection to the area’s maritime past and present. The stunning WA Maritime Museum looks over the briny, but it’s what lies within these walls that will have you hooked. Board a submarine, sink into an underwater gallery, learn ancient Noongar fishing techniques and marvel at the legendary America’s Cup victory under the famous keel of Australia II.

Just 10 minutes along the foreshore lies a testament to rather less successful ocean adventures. The WA Shipwrecks Museum is renowned for its shipwreck conservation, with many a story unfurled in its fascinating galleries. It’s also next to Bathers Beach, the perfect place for a swim before sunset. Pick up some fish and chips from Cicerello’s at Fishing Boat Harbour or pop down to Little Creatures, a crocodile farm turned brewery, to mull over the day with a few pints.

_{Bathers Beach, Fremantle}

Go back in time

Find out the secrets behind the port city’s charming facades. Two Feet and a Heartbeat unveil Freo’s convict and colonial history on a fascinating wander from Fremantle Town Hall, along the harbour and famous cappuccino strip to the Round House, Western Australia’s first jail, and Fremantle Prison. Or take a walk on the dark side and discover the mysterious and notorious with a true crime tour.

If you fancy a little time behind bars, join a guided trip through Fremantle Prison. Built by convicts in the 1850s, Western Australia’s only World-Heritage listed building was a jail until 1991. Descend into the bowels of history and explore a one-kilometre labyrinth of tunnels by foot and boat, or amp up the chill factor with an evening torchlight tour.

_{Fremantle Prison Tunnel Tour, Fremantle}

Enjoy an artistic bent

Craving some culture? Start in the picturesque West End, lined with Georgian and Victorian-era buildings, and browse Freo’s awesome art galleries – for free. PS Art Space is the creative heart for a diverse range of contemporary artists, while around the corner in High Street Japingka Aboriginal Art Gallery boasts more than 3,000 Aboriginal artworks from around the country. Just a few minutes away, the rustic Moores Building Art Space is home to seven art studios and an eclectic roster of emerging and established artists.

Meander across to the East End to explore the latest exhibition in the gloriously gothic Fremantle Arts Centre and pick up a Western Australian-designed gift at FOUND. If you are in Freo on a Friday or the weekend, swing by the historic Fremantle Markets, where local artists and designers are among stallholders selling their wares in much the same way as they have been since 1897. Want to flex your own creative muscles? Choose a pottery class at Prickly Pear Studios around lunch or dinner and work up an appetite on the pottery wheel.

_{Fremantle Markets, Fremantle}

Refuel and refresh

Eat well at any time of day in Freo. Start with French toast or crepes at Little French Nest, or poached avo smash at Chalkys Espresso Bar, near the Round House. Linger over lunch at Gage Roads Brew Co and watch the ships come and go. Book in for weekend yum cha at Emily Taylor, or savour local wonders such as Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) scallops at Shirley’s. Unwind over a drink and bar snacks at H&C Urban Winery or spice it up with Asian fusion at Tonic + Ginger, one of four venues in the beautifully renovated Old Synagogue.

Wherever you go, you’ll find something delicious to eat and drink. Combine the two with a spirited lesson at Republic of Fremantle, where you can learn how to distil your own gin or step up your cocktail game. Happy for others to do the mixing? Take a guided tour of the urban distillery and enjoy a vodka and gin tasting before settling into the restaurant for award-winning food. Chin-chin!

_{Republic of Fremantle, Fremantle}

Published February 2025.