Fremantle
Fremantle today retains much of its old charm: its situation at the mouth of the Swan River, its picturesque old buildings, its cultural diversity and what its longtime residents still call the Fremantle feeling. This sets it apart from the capital, Perth. The feeling comes upon you when you cross the bridge over the Swan River from the northern suburbs, pass historic Cantonment Hill from the east or (ideally) drift down river from Perth in a pleasure boat. Fremantle is a working port, host to a big fishing fleet as well as container ships and the occasional large cruise vessel. It maintains a vibrant commercial life and is a desirable tourist destination. It has, however, retained its cosmopolitan nature and preserved its identity, largely through the good sense and dedication of its modern-day civic managers. In a few square kilometres, it would be hard to find a bigger variety of sights, sounds and experiences. And they can be encompassed comfortably on foot. Perhaps a visit should begin, mid-morning, with a coffee or a locally brewed beer on South Terrace, sometimes called Cappuccino Strip for its outdoor-cafe atmosphere. A stroll through the venerable Fremantle Markets, also on South Terrace, will produce anything from potted shrimp to a 78 record to a busker wearing a boater. Fishing Boat Harbour A special feature of Fremantle is its maritime atmosphere and this can be best appreciated on a stroll around the Fishing Boat Harbour. This is a working harbour all year round and you may see fresh seafood being unloaded from the fishing boats ready for export or local despatch. There are many waterfront restaurants in Fishing Boat Harbour with spectacular views over the Indian Ocean out to Rottnest and beyond. The atmosphere is similar to San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, with cuisine catering for all tastes - Italian influences feature heavily, and, of course, the taste of freshly caught and cooked seafood should not be missed. Savour the flavours of Fremantle at one of the following restaurants. View map for locations. 1 Kailis Fish Market Cafe Established in 1928 this complex is an Australian institution inducted into the WA Tourism Hall of Fame. This unique dining and tourism complex was voted best fish and chips, seafood BBQ, cafe, wine and beer and a fresh seafood market. Open 7 days. 46 Mews Rd, Fremantle Phone 9335 7755. 2 Char Char Bull Restaurant Specialising in prime Australian steak, pizza and contemporary dishes. Dine inside or on the deck overlooking the bustling boardwalk and harbour. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the cocktail lounge. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner. 44 Mews Rd, Fremantle Phone 9430 5005. 3 Cicerello's Australia's best-known fish and chip shop, established 1903. Enjoy freshly caught seafood with a beer, or a glass of wine, at the water’s edge. An informal, friendly atmosphere, perfect for entertaining visitors to Fremantle. Open 7 days. Mews Rd, Fremantle Phone 9335 1911. 4 Joe's Fish Shack Gold Plate award winning restaurant, a Fremantle institution. Funky atmosphere, great service and a stunning array of seafood. Enjoy our extensive menu that includes stuffed tiger prawns and crayfish. Bring your appetite and a camera. Open 7 days. 42 Mews Rd, Fremantle Phone 9336 7161. 5 Mussel Bar Seafood Restaurant Fresh seafood and local produce, creative cuisine and extensive wine list. Fabulous location, the perfect venue for all occasions - romantic dinners, corporate lunches or a family night out. Open 7 days. 42 Mews Rd, Fremantle Phone 9433 1800. 6 Little Creatures Brewing The brewery and ‘cellar door’ give people a chance to see our brewers in action and get a super fresh hops hit whilst relaxing with friends and sharing a pizza or some of our other shared food dishes. Open 7 days. Ph: 9430 5555. Captain Cook Cruises offers excellent value scenic cruises departing three times daily from both Perth and Fremantle. Jump on board one of their large comfortable boats and enjoy views that you can only see from the river – magnificent riverside homes, famous yacht clubs, the Old Swan Brewery and Kings Park. All cruises include an informative Captain’s commentary, tea, coffee and biscuits and even premium wine tasting if cruising from Fremantle. The ‘Fremantle Lunch Cruise’ also departs daily at 11.00am from Perth and 12.30pm from Fremantle. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch on board with an ever-changing view. C Shed Victoria Quay Fremantle Ph: 9336 3311. The E Shed Markets are located dockside in Fremantle and have more than 80 stalls. Until recently the E Shed was an empty warehouse situated nearby; it was disassembled, moved and rebuilt at the present site. The E Shed Markets offer unique gifts and souvenirs, local arts and crafts, an international food court and free entertainment in the fine setting of the historic warehouse. Open Friday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm, plus all public holidays. Victoria Quay, Fremantle Phone 9430 6393. There’s so much to discover at the Fremantle Markets. Located in a grand old Victorian building, the Fremantle Markets literally spill out onto the colourful streets of Freo. Inside you’ll find a dazzling array of goods from around WA and around the world. There’s everything from furnishings, prints, pottery and cane-ware to authentic antiques, unusual jewellery and great clothing. If you’re looking for unique gifts for friends back home, be sure to check out the sheepskin and leather goods, jarrah products, dried wildflowers, opals, local shells and pottery. Of course any trip to the Markets wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local seafood, dew-fresh fruit and vegetables, tasty cheeses, crunchy breads, fine coffees and other gourmet delights. Open Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm, Mon p/hols only 10am-5pm. Cnr South Terrace & Henderson Street Phone 9335 2515. Email... Buying a didgeridoo? Didgeridoo Breath in Fremantle can show you what to look for when selecting your instrument. Authentic Australian didgeridoos are created from the finest native timbers, cut by registered permit holders, dried and treated to export quality and uniquely hand painted and finished. They are Australia's largest specialty didgeridoo store. Learn to play for free! Open 7 days a week. Also, visit the upstairs Aboriginal Art Gallery. Open 7 days a week 6 Market St, Fremantle Phone 9430 6009. Fremantle CAT bus The easiest way to get around Fremantle apart from walking - the route begins and ends outside the Fremantle Bus/Train terminus, and includes Fremantle Oval, the Fremantle Museum and Arts Centre, the Woolstores Shopping Centre, the Cappuccino Strip and Fremantle Markets. It then travels down to South Fremantle and then back along Marine Terrace, past the Esplanade and the WA Maritime Museum and E Shed Markets, then back to its beginning at the train station. A full route is shown on the Fremantle Map. The hours for this route are: Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm every 10 mins, Thursday and Friday 3pm to 10pm every 8 mins, Weekends & Public Holidays 10am to 10pm every 8 mins (except Good Friday, Christmas & Boxing Day). Contact Transperth for further information. Fremantle Prison Constructed by convicts between 1851 and 1855, this daunting building was in use as a maximum security prison until 1991. It is open from 10am to 6pm every day (last tour at 5) and offers an alternative view to the prevailing vision of Fremantle as a jolly seaside town. Visitors will gain a chilling insight into life in a maximum security in the 1990s. The entry fee of $14.30 adults, $7.15 children (6-15 yrs) includes two fascinating tours of the prison. Why not try out the candlelight tour (although torches are used) which starts around 7.30pm on Wednesday and Friday and takes in the gallows and other macabre attractions. The Terrace, Fremantle Phone 9336 9200. Fremantle Trams Run hop-on-hop-off guided tours 363 days a year from 9.45am. Taking in all of Fremantle’s famous and historic landmarks your driver will entertain you with a live commentary along the way. All Perth ferries met. Phone 9433 6674. Email... Fremantle Trails is a series of trails and walks around Fremantle’s central business district designed to guide you on a personalised tour of Fremantle using maps, signs, street art and landscaping. Most trails will take around two to four hours to walk. You can discover at your own pace the many cultural and historical aspects of this unique and vibrant city. Stop at places of interest, have a cappuccino and a bite to eat or take advantage of the specialty shopping throughout the city. Experience the easy yet vibrant lifestyle, see some of Fremantle’s iconic buildings or learn about the history that makes up the city. There really is something for everyone. For more information go to the Fremantle Visitors Centre in Kings Square or visit the website. The Fremantle Motor Museum boasts the finest private collection of motor cars in Australia set in a modern, vibrant and colourful exhibition. Among more than 50 fine cars you will see one of the first World Land Speed Record cars; 1904 Napier; Formula One champion Allan Jones’ world-beating Williams; one of America’s oldest cars; the first Australian Holden prototype; Bob Morris’s Bathurst Torana A9X; and much more. It’s a new concept in motor museums and it is unlike any museum you’ve seen before. This museum is an entertainment venue - it’s fun, bold and exciting. The cars are the stars. Located at B Shed, Victoria Quay Fremantle Phone 9336 5222. Western Australian Maritime Museum Located at the west end of Victoria Quay (follow the signs to the E Shed markets just next door, or catch the Fremantle CAT bus to the door), this is an international landmark showcasing Western Australia’s rich maritime heritage. Its position in the working port makes it the ideal place to tell the stories of Western Australia’s early explorers, trade routes, naval defence, migration and the cultural richness that has resulted. With significant historic objects and boats that highlight WA’s sporting and adventure heritage, the exhibitions tell the stories of human endeavour that bring to life our maritime past. On level one you will find “Tin Canoe to Australia II”. The roof of the Museum towers 30 metres above the boats in a display celebrating the boating history of Western Australians, showcasing the adventures of people challenging nature and themselves as they take on the world on the water. Boats on display include the Parry Endeavour, the yacht that took lone yachtsman Jon Sanders three times around the globe (pictured) and Australia II, the racing yacht with the winged keel that won the America’s Cup from the United States in 1983. The WA Maritime Museum is located at Victoria Quay, Fremantle Phone 9431 8444. Other parts of the Maritime Museum’s displays are the decommissioned submarine HMAS Ovens, located on the historic World War II slipway in Slip Street, Victoria Quay, and the Shipwreck Galleries, housed in the restored convict-built Commissariat building in Cliff Street five minutes away. Established in 1985, Fremantle Opals is an opal retailer with a wealth of knowledge and experience. They invite you to view an exclusive range of beautiful opal jewellery and unset opals. Specialists in black opal, they buy direct from the mines. Also visit their other shop, the Hat Shack at E Shed Markets, for the humble sun hat, the classic Australian Akubra and Australian-made leather hats and stock whips. Fremantle Opals is conveniently situated just a short walk from the Fremantle railway station, open seven days a week. 18 Market Street, Fremantle (just opposite the Post Office) Phone 9430 4334 Email... Fremantle city walk In a couple of hours, you can see many of Fremantle’s most interesting attractions - and the good news is that most of those included on this walk are free of charge. View map and information. The Army Museum of WA houses the finest collection of militaria in WA, to collect, conserve, display and interpret our military heritage. Exhibitions include the Pre-1914 gallery, WWI trench scene, WWI & WWII galleries, Prisoner of War gallery and Post-1945 gallery. Burt St, Fremantle Phone 9430 2535. Fremantle Museum and Arts Centre houses two of Fremantle's most significant cultural attractions. This magnificent neo-gothic building was constructed by convicts in the 1860s to serve as the colony's first lunatic asylum. Today, the Museum offers exhibitions charting the history of Fremantle, open Sunday to Friday 10.30am-4.30pm and Saturday 1pm-5pm. The Arts Centre runs exhibitions and creative arts courses. It also boasts a well stocked craft shop, book shop and a courtyard cafe and is open daily 10am-5pm. 1 Finnerty Street Phone 9432 9555. Fremantle Town Hall This magnificent building, located in Kings Square, was officially opened in 1887 as part of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Celebrations. It has in now been restored to its original beauty and is used for a variety of functions including concerts and plays. Monument Hill Memorial Reserve is Fremantle's heritage and National Trust listed war memorial, with memorials including the most recent one, for the RAN Vietnam veterans. Recently restored and with further work in progress, the Reserve has great ocean views and is just a short stroll from central Fremantle, up High Street to the east. Public Artworks In Kings Square you will find the chess table and seating constructed from jarrah and mild steel. Also in Kings Square is a life-size sculpture of Pietro Giacomo Porcelli, who created a number of the pieces in Fremantle, including the monument erected to C.Y. O'Connor, and the Tom Edwards Memorial Fountain in Kings Square. Recent additions to Kings Square are statues of the most highly decorated Australian serviceman of World War II, Sir Hughie Edwards (who was raised in the suburbs of Fremantle) and former Prime Minister and member for Fremantle John Curtin. The City of Fremantle has also developed the concept of the heritage trail which makes it possible to retrace the original shorelines of Fremantle. A limestone path and wall mark the alignment of the old shoreline. Tours of Fremantle's numerous pieces of public art are available, contact Phil Thomson on 9480 4701. The Round House was built in 1831 as a prison, and is the State's oldest public building. The grounds are still attractive and the building itself is interesting. Guides provide tours of the Round House precinct for visitors, explaining the early history of Fremantle. Located on Arthur Head at the top of High Street, it gives sweeping views of Fremantle, the Harbour and the Indian Ocean. Just next door is a cafe/restaurant for a snack after you've seen everything. World of Energy An educational facility providing information about WA’s energy industry through the use of interactive displays and multimedia. The centre offers a range of hands-on programs for primary and secondary students. Open weekdays 9am–5pm. 12 Parry Street Phone 9430 5655. © 2008 COUNTRYWIDE PUBLICATIONS Disclaimer: The information on this website, which is believed to be accurate and current at the time of publishing, has been prepared in good faith and is given as a guide only. The publisher accepts no responsibility for loss, injury, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of using this information. Customs, travel, safety and health issues should all be confirmed with the relevant authorities before you travel. |