Perth/Fremantle

Fremantle is a port on the western coast of Australia, facing out into the Indian Ocean. Often referred to as Freo, it's not just a suburb or outgrowth of Perth, but a city in its own right — it's where Western Australia got started. Later on the action moved upriver to Perth city centre, which meant that Fremantle missed a lot of modern development, and retained its charming character.

Understand
Fremantle has long been the first port of call in Australia for ships from Europe - by the Dutch in the 1600s then by the English from the early 1800s. At first it competed with Albany WA as a shipping port, then overtook it to become the premier west coast port, both as port-of-call and as definitive destination for the growing region. This brought a motley population of itinerants, workers and settlers, especially the convicts who from 1850 were transported here from England to ease a labour shortage, at a time when transportation had ceased elsewhere in Australia. Fremantle is therefore well endowed with historic buildings and streets redolent of that era, and the story is well-told in the museums and prison. This heritage escaped 20th-century demolition as the CBD moved up to central Perth. Nowadays it's protected, and facilities were especially spruced up for the 1987 Americas Cup yacht races.

Fremantle remains an important port for freight (especially minerals and livestock export) and is a frequent port of call for cruise ships. It's also the closest point for boat trips to Rottnest.

By car
Take Leach Highway west, Stirling Highway southwest or Canning Highway west. From the south, take Rockingham Road. From the north coast, West Coast Highway and the Curtin Avenue lead to the port. From Perth City, Fremantle is about a 30-minute drive using the Kwinana Freeway (Hwy 2) and then exiting onto either Leach Hwy (Hwy 1/7) or Canning Hwy (Hwy 6).

By train
Suburban trains run from platform 7 of Perth railway station (the above ground one, not Perth Underground). They leave every 15 minutes and make the 25-minute trip to Fremantle via Perth's western suburbs, culminating in a fine view of beach, ocean and port. The standard 2-zone fare is $5.20 (as of July 2024) and with a SmartRider card you travel free on Sundays.

Fremantle station is just north of the town centre, within easy walking distance. It is also a bus station for bus routes serving the southern suburbs, so a journey onwards to Woodman Point, for example, is not difficult. See the TransPerth Journey Planner for more info on trains and buses.



By bus
There are many Transperth buses that arrive and leave Fremantle. Routes 998 (clockwise) and 999 (anti-clockwise) are quick and frequent services that lead to Fremantle. They terminate at the Fremantle Railway Station.

By ship
All cruise ships berth at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal on Victoria Quay. The terminal has a café and licensed bar area and public conveniences.
 * Fremantle cruise ship calendar

Get around
You can get around most of central Fremantle for free on the (Central Area Transit) CAT Buses which run every ten minutes during daylight hours. There is one route, the Blue CAT. Most buses used for the service are painted orange with a large black cat on the side. Look for the CAT symbol at bus stops, and maybe even paw-prints on the footpath. The CAT Bus is wheelchair and pram accessible, including kneeling (automatic lowering suspension) and ramp access.

Walking
Fremantle is mostly flat, relatively compact in size and good for walking. It is well worth seeking out information and interpretation - as not all of Fremantle history is that obvious in its current state. Fremantle for its size has a range of subjects that can be understood with some If, the passion is high enough and spare time available, and there is a need for information beyond the easily available - The Local History Collection at the Fremantle Library is an excellent way to gain more detailed information.
 * The Fremantle City Council has a set of self conducted walk pamphlets about the features that can be found in a short walk in Fremantle.
 * Also at local bookshops, David Hutchison's Fremantle Walks has 9 walks well described and explained.
 * The annual Fremantle Heritage festival usually has walks as part of its programme.
 * Guided walking tours from operators like Two Feet & and a Heartbeat.

Walking areas - either from the Fremantle Walk Book, or other sources - these areas are well worth getting out of the car and having a closer look:-
 * Arthur Head - a small area on top of a limestone ridge, great views and history
 * Cappuccino Strip and Market Street - plenty of places to stop for a drink or eat
 * Esplanade and Boat harbour - a large space for children to play and a great place to look at boats from fish and chip outlets
 * Memorial Park and Monument Hill - a great view of Fremantle and the ocean
 * Victoria Quay - a great place to check out markets, maritime museum, and watch the ships - also a place to catch a Rottnest Ferry
 * West End - really old building now part of Notre Dame University - and interesting shops and places tucked away

Do

 * Watch Fremantle Dockers playing an AFL game. Aussie Rules is a unique sport that's only really played Down Under. Though "Freo" (as they are sometimes known) play their games mainly in central Perth, where the stadium is bigger, there are a few smaller sides playing in the state league too dotted around.
 * Watch Fremantle Dockers playing an AFL game. Aussie Rules is a unique sport that's only really played Down Under. Though "Freo" (as they are sometimes known) play their games mainly in central Perth, where the stadium is bigger, there are a few smaller sides playing in the state league too dotted around.
 * Watch Fremantle Dockers playing an AFL game. Aussie Rules is a unique sport that's only really played Down Under. Though "Freo" (as they are sometimes known) play their games mainly in central Perth, where the stadium is bigger, there are a few smaller sides playing in the state league too dotted around.
 * Watch Fremantle Dockers playing an AFL game. Aussie Rules is a unique sport that's only really played Down Under. Though "Freo" (as they are sometimes known) play their games mainly in central Perth, where the stadium is bigger, there are a few smaller sides playing in the state league too dotted around.

Nightlife
Like all good port towns of the world, Fremantle has a bustling nightlife and is a favorite place to go out for many people who live within the Perth metropolitan area. Unlike Northbridge, Fremantle does not seem to attract the same level of bad behaviour so is quite a safe place to spend an evening. Some places to go out include:

Buy
Shops in Fremantle are generally open from 10AM-5PM.



Boutiques
Catering for both males and females, and a big price range, there are several boutique shops dotted along South Terrace. Whether you are looking for that long dazzling gown or a tailored suit, you will be sure to find it.

Bicycles
Fremantle is one of the most popular cycling cities in Australia, with thousands of cyclist visiting daily and many socialising along the cafe strip. Fremantle has a host of shops catering for them. The two most popular "old school" shops (around since the 1980s) seem to be Mercers on South Terrace (which carries a full range of family bikes and offers repairs) and Ideal Cycles on South Street O'Connor (offers a wide range of road bikes, fixie bikes and accessories). Others include Ace Cycles, Bike Force, and Fleet Cycles.

Eat
Despite the wide availability of Italian food outlets, Fremantle offers other cuisines within different price ranges.

Fremantle is famous for having an array of Italian restaurants. Italians had a big influence on the Fremantle's culture in the 1880s.


 * Cicerello's, across the way from The Esplanade park, Cicerello's has been more or less an institution since the early 1900s, and is widely regarded as serving Western Australia's best fish and chips. Eat indoors in the pavilion, or outdoors on Fisherman's Wharf. Short walks to the Maritime Museum, Round House and the Crocodile Farm.
 * Sandrinos is a pizzeria close to the Millennium Hoyts cinema serving delicious Italian food including the famous chilli mussels. A small section of al fresco dining is available, but its indoor dining provides the best of the smells of the kitchen and pizza. Good for dinners with friends or family or just a Sunday lunch.
 * Ali Baba Kebabs is on the Cappuccino Strip. All sorts of wraps are available from chicken to vegetarian. It is open till late to accommodate all those nightbirds wanting a real cheap treat.
 * Cicerello's, across the way from The Esplanade park, Cicerello's has been more or less an institution since the early 1900s, and is widely regarded as serving Western Australia's best fish and chips. Eat indoors in the pavilion, or outdoors on Fisherman's Wharf. Short walks to the Maritime Museum, Round House and the Crocodile Farm.
 * Sandrinos is a pizzeria close to the Millennium Hoyts cinema serving delicious Italian food including the famous chilli mussels. A small section of al fresco dining is available, but its indoor dining provides the best of the smells of the kitchen and pizza. Good for dinners with friends or family or just a Sunday lunch.
 * Ali Baba Kebabs is on the Cappuccino Strip. All sorts of wraps are available from chicken to vegetarian. It is open till late to accommodate all those nightbirds wanting a real cheap treat.

Drink

 * The Cappuccino strip is a section of South Terrace and surrounding streets and laneways in the centre of Fremantle where there are lots of cafés. It is easily accessible from the railway station. For more details, see the individual café listings under above.
 * The Cappuccino strip is a section of South Terrace and surrounding streets and laneways in the centre of Fremantle where there are lots of cafés. It is easily accessible from the railway station. For more details, see the individual café listings under above.
 * The Cappuccino strip is a section of South Terrace and surrounding streets and laneways in the centre of Fremantle where there are lots of cafés. It is easily accessible from the railway station. For more details, see the individual café listings under above.
 * The Cappuccino strip is a section of South Terrace and surrounding streets and laneways in the centre of Fremantle where there are lots of cafés. It is easily accessible from the railway station. For more details, see the individual café listings under above.
 * The Cappuccino strip is a section of South Terrace and surrounding streets and laneways in the centre of Fremantle where there are lots of cafés. It is easily accessible from the railway station. For more details, see the individual café listings under above.

Budget
There are a couple of backpacker accommodations within walking distance of the train station.

Go next

 * Rottnest Island is a short ferry ride from Fremantle, and a great place to go for a day or a week.
 * Perth's northern coast has pleasant beaches and surfing.