What is Fremantle known for?
Fremantle is a historic port city about 20 kilometres southwest of Perth, known for its convict-built prison, markets, heritage streetscapes, cafes and maritime museums. Locals call it Freo.
Fremantle was founded in 1829 as part of the Swan River Colony, at the mouth of the Swan River. Its harbour remains Western Australia's busiest general cargo port, and its streets are lined with well-preserved Victorian and Edwardian buildings.
The Round House, built in 1831 as a jail, is the oldest surviving public building in Western Australia. Fremantle Prison, built by convicts in the 1850s, is now a World Heritage site.
Food and culture
The Fremantle Markets, opened in 1897, sell fresh food, crafts and souvenirs. South Terrace, nicknamed the Cappuccino Strip, is lined with cafes, while breweries and seafood restaurants sit along the harbour.
The Western Australian Maritime Museum and the Shipwreck Galleries tell stories of trade, migration and Dutch shipwrecks such as the Batavia. Fremantle hosted the 1987 America's Cup yacht race.
A statue of AC/DC singer Bon Scott stands at Fishing Boat Harbour. Ferries from Fremantle reach Rottnest Island.
Did You Know?
Fremantle is home to the Fremantle Dockers AFL team, though the team now plays its home games at Perth Stadium.