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Admission prices & discounts for tickets to Fremantle Prison in Fremantle

The following overview lists the admission prices and various discounts and discount codes for a visit to Fremantle Prison in Fremantle . All prices are displayed per age group or reduced rate group. You can also directly book your discounted online ticket for the Fremantle Prison here, if available, or make a reservation to reserve a timeslot if applicable.

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Tours & tickets near Fremantle Prison

Here are some tours and tickets near Fremantle Prison, including discount cards & passes, skip the line tickets and tickets to events & activities in Fremantle.

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More about Fremantle Prison

Torchlight Tour

Join our Guides in the dark as they entertain you with sordid and ghastly stories.

Explore the darker side of Fremantle Prison’s history.

The Prison walls echo with stories of loneliness, pain and suffering, of executions gone wrong, of the innocent unjustly imprisoned and the guilty punished. 

Join our Guides in the dark as they engage you with sordid and ghastly stories.

Be warned - these tours are not for the faint hearted.

Bookings essential .

Tour details

Image gallery.

We stayed one more day in Perth than we originally planned - just to see the torchlight tour and it was absolutely worth it!

More to explore.

Tunnels Tour

Get into your hardhat, slip into your overalls, lock into the ladder system and descend below the Prison to explore a labyrinth of tunnels built by prisoners.

• Prices listed are valid until 30 June 2024

Float beneath convict history

Fremantle prison.

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When the first convict transports arrived landed on the west coast of Australia in 1850, prisoners were immediately put to work constructing their own convict establishment. It operated as a prison into the modern era, with Fremantle Prison utilized as a maximum security prison until 1991. The prison was decommissioned, repurposed, and turned into one of the eleven living museums that make up the Australian Convicts Sites, collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Daily tours focus on Fremantle’s convict past, modern penal history, the transportation era, and the eerie underground tunnels dug by convicts to supply fresh water.

Length of Trip : Tunnels tour lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. Other tours range in time, but you can spend a morning or afternoon at the prison.

Cost : Click here for the latest entrance fees , tour prices and package offers.

Best time to go : Open 9am - 5pm, 7 days a week. Closed Good Friday & Xmas day.

Wheelchair friendly : In recognition of the fact that sections of each tour are not accessible by wheelchair, a discounted ticket fee (child rate) is offered.

Family friendly : Yes, although the tunnels tour has a minimum age of 12.

Where to eat : Located inside the Gatehouse is the Convict Cafe, open from 10.00am to 5.00pm daily, and open late on Wednesday and Friday evenings. There are also many restaurants located a short walk away in Fremantle.

Official Site : Fremantle Prison

Where to Stay : The Fremantle YHA offers unique and award-winning hostel accommodation, as well as separate self catering cottages (the former Warden cottages), located right next to the prison.

Getting There : Fremantle Prison is located at 1 The Terrace, Fremantle. It's a little tricky to find the entrance so definitely use Google Maps or a GPS. A paid car park is located directly outside Fremantle Prison, The Terrace via Fothergill Street. Another large paid car park is located at the bottom of Fairbairn Ramp, accessible via Parry Street.

Note from Robin : Under the guidance of civil engineers, prisoners were sent below with hand tools to carve 1.5-metre wide by 1.5 to 3-metre high tunnels to facilitate the supply of aquifer water. Tours are led deep below the ground to a chain of narrow boats, designed as a hardier replica of the wooden boats convicts might have worked with in the tunnels. With our paddles, we made our way on a circular route, the water perfectly still. I was tempted to drink it, but our guide told us about the 85,000 litres of diesel that leaked into the tunnels from a ruptured oil pipeline.

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Enquire about Fremantle Prison tours

Fremantle Prison offers a variety of tours that show the history of Fremantle Prison, Western Australia's first World Heritage building.

Bookings are essential and conditions apply on some tours.

If you are a school or group wishing to visit Fremantle you can read about how to plan your visit and tour options on the Fremantle Prison website .

You can also telephone the ticket office on 61 8 9336 9200.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.

Fremantle Prison Behind Bars Tour: What To Expect

Doing a tour at the Fremantle Prison is an absolute must when visiting Perth. It’s the perfect afternoon activity that combines history and a unique location with an interactive experience. This is definitely not a traditional museum and even if you usually don’t enjoy historic sites this one will not disappoint.

Make sure to put Fremantle Prison on your bucket list for visiting Perth and don’t forget to check out our public transport guide to find out how to get there for free.

While there are quite a lot of tour options to choose from the  Behind Bars Tour  gives you a great insight into what life in this prison used to be like. Keep reading to find out exactly why you should choose this tour when you visit the Fremantle Prison and what to expect when you go.

Don’t forget to check out this incredible road trip from Perth to Albany if you want to see more of Western Australia.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep My Australia Trip free and provide high-quality content for you. Please read the full disclaimer for more information.

Table of Contents

FREMANTLE PRISON

Construction of the prison began in 1850 and carried on until 1859 when the initial buildings were completed. Since then the prison has undergone numerous alterations and renovations, many of which were conserved and can be seen by visitors today. The first convicts arrived at the Fremantle Prison in 1855. It was never a peaceful location. Uprisings, hangings, murder and extreme levels of discrimination were a norm at the prison largely due to the horrific treatment of indigenous inmates.

The prison had both male and female inmates and acted as a maximum security facility. There are numerous escape stories from over the years, some of which were mentioned during the tour. Read some of them  here .

The Fremantle Prison is Western Australia’s only world heritage-listed building. It became a tourist attraction in 1991 when it was officially closed as a penitentiary. Since then restoration works have made it possible for the prison to become a wedding and event location and, of course, act as a museum and educational site for visitors.

It is one of the largest historic prisons in the world.

CAN YOU VISIT THE FREMANTLE PRISON WITHOUT A TOUR?

The main part of the prison is only accessible via the paid tours such as the  Behind Bars Tour  described in this post. However, you can visit the Gatehouse which is the prison’s entrance building for free and without a tour. It is not very large but still nice to see if you don’t want to commit to paying for a tour. This area includes the visitor’s centre, the prison gallery and museum, a little tourist shop and a cafe.

However, you won’t be able to access any of the cells or prison buildings without a guided tour. The prison complex is very large and it’s definitely worth seeing.

THE BEHIND BARS TOUR

The  Behind Bars Tour  aims to give you an insight into prison life. It guides you through the prison as if you were an inmate yourself and shows you all parts of a prisoner’s daily routine. By showcasing different time periods visitors can truly see how the prison changed over the years and what convicts were subject to.

Most of the tour takes place in the cellblocks and you get to see the prison kitchen, recreational areas, cells and yards. You can see both the male and female prison facilities as well as the areas of racial segregation.

This tour also takes you to the execution chambers of the prison where many inmates were hanged over the years. It is definitely not for the faint of heart, however, you can choose to opt-out of seeing these places if you wish.

HOW MUCH ARE THE TICKETS?

A regular adult ticket for the  Behind Bars Tour  costs $22 AUD. A concession ticket or a group ticket for more than 10 people costs $19 AUD. A ticket for children under 15 years old costs only $12 AUD. Family tickets are available for $62 AUD which includes 2 adults and 3 children.

If you show a valid student ID you can get a student discount so you only have to pay $10 AUD for a ticket.

There are combination tickets available for multiple tours which will make prices cheaper. Check the prison’s website for  more information.

SHOULD YOU BOOK IN ADVANCE?

It’s usually sufficient to book a tour at the Fremantle Prison a few days in advance. You can also book tickets on arrival, however, since tour spaces are limited you might not be able to get on the tour you want. Try to book online if you’re visiting on a weekend since the tours will be significantly more popular then. Usually, it’s harder to get tickets for the afternoon tours than the morning options.

If you want to visit the prison on a specific day with a time constraint then book your tickets online or over the phone in advance.

WHEN DO THE BEHIND BARS TOURS RUN?

The  Behind Bars  tour runs every hour from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The prison is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

HOW LONG ARE THE FREMANTLE PRISON TOURS?

The Behind Bars tour lasts for around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

WHAT TO BRING

The prison offers lockers where you can leave any items and bags that you do not want to take with you into the prison. This is optional, however. You should definitely bring your camera on the tour as well as a water bottle. Anything else is not really necessary to bring.

WHAT’S THE BEST WEATHER TO GO?

The majority of this tour takes place inside, although there are some parts where you will be standing in the various prison yards. While it is still enjoyable to do this tour during a rainy day it will be a better experience when the weather is dry so you can take a better look at the outside areas of the prison.

ACCESSIBILITY

The  Behind Bars  tour is 100% wheelchair accessible.

MY EXPERIENCE: THE FREMANTLE PRISON BEHIND BARS TOUR

At the beginning of the tour, you are welcomed at the reception of the prison where inmates would first arrive and be registered. You are lead through the prison showers, the kitchen and offices which were all conserved to show exactly what prison life was like. With original artefacts such as cooking equipment or office documents, this area was really interesting in my opinion. There are little gadgets such as original soundscapes from the dining hall which make the experience truly come alive.

Next, you get to see two different prison yards where the inmates spent most of their time. In the past, these yards were racially segregated and it was powerful to see the paintings made by aboriginal inmates who were often incarcerated unfairly.

THE CELLBLOCK

After seeing the yards we were lead into the cellblock itself and could look at a variety of cells from different points in time. It was fascinating to see how these cells changed over time. Some only had a makeshift hammock while others were equipped with TVs, toasters and even bathrooms.

The tour guide was very knowledgable and did their best to engage the audience by asking questions and giving small interactive tasks. The stories of prison uprisings and how they were started were especially popular.

One of the most fascinating parts of this tour were the paintings in many of the cells in my opinion. Some inmates were allowed to paint the interior of their cells and the artwork was stunningly beautiful but also disturbing. Again I appreciated the acknowledgement of the suffering of aboriginal inmates.

The tour lead its visitors to the execution rooms of the prison at which point we had the choice to opt-out and skip this part. It was a disturbing experience but conducted in a respectful and educational manner.

Afterwards, we were lead to a more modern cellblock as well as the prison cinema which showed videoclips of actual prisoners exercising in the room. This was another favourite of mine as it gave you real-life impressions to take away from the experience.

Lastly, we visited the women’s quarters of the prison. It was shocking to see the differences between male and female treatment at the time. Again, I was pleasantly surprised at how the tour made sure to highlight these disparities.

The tour ended at the prison courtyard where visitors could see the impressive exterior of the cellblocks and chapel.

OTHER TOURS AT THE PRISON

If you want to see more of the prison you can opt to take other tours while you are there. These include the  Convict Prison Tour  which focuses on individual prisoners’ stories and the prison’s history or the  True Crime Tour  which highlights escape stories and legendary inmates. Lastly, the prison offers special  Tunnels  and  Torchlight Tours  which let you visit the prison’s impressive tunnel system or see the facility at night.

WHAT TO DO AFTER THE TOUR

If you haven’t done a lot of exploring yet you need to see more of Fremantle. This little town may or may not be the best part of Perth and there is so much to do. Don’t miss out! You’ll love the unique things to do in Fremantle we collected in this post.

If you’ve already seen Fremantle why not check out Rottnest Island? Find our complete backpacker’s guide  here .

Camping in Australia? Find out all you need to know  here .

Did we miss anything? If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post please leave a comment below or  contact us .

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Fremantle Prison

About fremantle prison tour.

Fremantle Prison, situated in Perth, Western Australia, is a historic site that has stood since 1850, serving as a testament to the region's rich history. Originally functioning as a prison, it now operates as a cultural attraction, offering visitors a deep dive into its storied past. The prison provides a range of authentic tours that shed light on its operations and the lives of its inmates over the years. Additionally, the Prison Gallery displays a variety of exhibits, from artworks created by prisoners to significant colonial artefacts. The Visitor Centre and the Convict Depot further enhance the experience, with the former showcasing aspects of prison life and the latter allowing visitors to explore convict histories. Beyond its role as a historical site, Fremantle Prison also offers unique venues for events, blending history with modern-day functions. The prison's transformation from a place of incarceration to a cultural and educational hub reflects its significance in Western Australia's heritage.

Overall Recommendation Level

Price: high.

Tour prices range from $22 - $75 depending on age and tour selection.

About 20 minutes from Perth city centre

Reviewed & written by Joe C. Read about Joe and more of his recommendations.

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Our guide had a clear passion for history and painted a vivid picture of the prison's past, making the tales come alive. My children, usually restless, hung onto every word, their eyes wide with a mix of wonder and reverence. 

The exhibitions in the Prison Gallery were a highlight. The juxtaposition of prisoner art with colonial artefacts offered a profound insight into the lives of those who lived and worked here. My eldest was particularly taken with the actual footage of prison life, asking question after question, eager to learn more.

But it was the Convict Depot that truly resonated with us. Being able to search for potential convict ancestors added a personal touch to our visit. 

As we concluded our tour, standing in the prison's courtyard, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. Fremantle Prison had not only offered us a glimpse into Western Australia's rich history but had also provided a bonding experience for our family. We left with a newfound appreciation for the past and memories that we'll cherish for years to come.

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What can I see on the Fremantle Prison tunnels tour?

• David Whitley
• Attractions

The Fremantle Prison tunnel tours go into the convict-dug tunnels below the historic, World Heritage-listed prison building. There’s a boat cruise through the Fremantle tunnels after an 18 metre ladder descent.

Fremantle Prison is one of the most important historic buildings in Australia. When convicts arrived in Fremantle , Western Australia in the 1850s, one of the most pressing tasks was to build a prison they could be locked away in.

Book your perfect Fremantle accommodation .

When convict shipping from the UK stopped, the Fremantle Prison housed the general population . By the time the prison closed in 1991 it was dangerously outdated and completely unsuited to task. The Fremantle Prison is now a World Heritage site, open to the public for a variety of tours. These are themed on prison life and escape attempts.

Fremantle Prison tunnels tour: Under the prison

The Fremantle Prison tunnels tour, however, goes deeper. Literally deeper – it takes visitors into the network of tunnels under the prison.

These underground passageways were dug out in order to tap into a fresh water supply. This was used first for the prisoners, and then for the whole of Fremantle.

The tunnel water is still used for the prison gardens, but the tunnels themselves are now a tourist attraction. Participants don paper suits, harnesses and helmets, then clip themselves to a safety ladder system.

The initial 18 metre descent on the Fremantle tunnels tour is down a series of ladders. This seems scary enough when you’re clipped on, but the original convicts just had a basic ladder and no safety equipment.

Things to book in Fremantle before you arrive

• Your Rottnest Island ferry tickets and bike hire .
• A best of Fremantle two hour walking tour .
• Whale-watching cruise tickets .
• A street art and beer tour .
• A half day sailing cruise to Carnac Island.
• A sunset sailing cruise .
• A four venue Fremantle bar tour .

How convicts dug the Fremantle Prison tunnels

Under the prison is a kilometre-long network of tunnels. Most of this was dug out by hand. Astonishingly, doing the digging for eight hours a day, six days a week, was seen as one of the better jobs. As long as the prisoners worked hard, they would be given time off their sentence in return. Far worse was standing at the top of the shaft, manually pumping out water all day long.

Once inside the tunnels, there’s a lot of bending over to do. They are not high. Tree roots sneaking through show that the tunnels go outside the prison boundaries.

DON’T MISS OUT! 9 fabulous Perth experiences to book today ✅

• ✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package .
• ✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise .
• ✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience .
• ✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour .
• ✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise .
• ✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour .
• ✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour .
• ✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive .
• ✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour .

Fremantle Prison boat tour

Given that only around a quarter of the tunnel system is walkable, much of the tour is conducted by boat. Participants are loaded into a series of little wooden boats, only big enough for one or two people.

The paddling is self-propelled, and the boat ride goes past spider webs, well shafts and timber supports. It’s a disorientating experience, as there are no landmarks to go by and no maps to read. The lack of things to see make the tour so atmospheric, however. It’s a claustrophobic, underground experience that majors on the weirdness of the location.

The Fremantle Prison tunnels tour must be booked in advance.

The Fremantle tunnels tour costs $65 and lasts around two-and-a-half hours.

5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special

• Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
• Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
• Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
• Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.

The prison is a 24km drive or taxi ride from Yagan Square in Perth CBD . A visit can easily be combined with a browse around the WA Shipwrecks Museum and the Roundhouse , or dining at Bread In Common .

Other Fremantle activities include taking a ride on the Fremantle ferris wheel , going for a sunset cruise and a street art and beer tour by bike.

Fremantle accommodation recommendations

The best Fremantle accommodation options are:

• For distinctive character and a sense of history: Hougoumont Hotel .
• For gorgeous apartments: West End Warehouse .
• For location and cool factor: Warders Hotel Fremantle Markets .
• For a decent pool: Pier 21 Apartmentment Hotel .       
• On a budget: Fremantle Prison YHA .

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The show homes of Coober Pedy , South Australia .

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What to do in Fremantle: Two Day Itinerary

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When visiting Perth in Western Australia, visitors often rush to the port city of Fremantle. With its museums, galleries, cool street art , coffee culture and pubs on every corner, I like to describe this place as the cool vibe of Perth. If you are looking for what to do in Fremantle, a two-day itinerary is a great option.

European history starts in 1829, when Captain Charles Fremantle takes possession of the West Coast of Australia on behalf of King George IV. The Swan River Colony makes little progress until the arrivals of British convicts in 1850.

Even before Fremantle, Albany in South West WA was founded in 1826. If you get there, don’t miss the Historic Whaling Station .

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What to do in Fremantle

Today, Fremantle is a bustling, fun-loving city, and still very much a port. When I first visited in the late 90s, things felt a little neglected, as if the city was in transition. Still, the creativity and the quirkiness were already there. 

These days, much of the city is renovated, with well-preserved architecture, busy pubs and cool cafes open for brunch. There is so much stuff to do in Fremantle.

Fremantle Accommodation

In order to experience Fremantle and its unique vibe, staying the night is a great idea. Accommodation in Fremantle is varied and suitable for all budgets and some new stylish places have appeared.

The grand old pubs of Fremantle also have renovated rooms. The National Hotel Fremantle has a rooftop bar and the Norfolk Hotel Fremantle, across the street from the Fremantle Markets has clean rooms and great meals.

If you want to stay in South Fremantle, closer to the beach, the Local Hotel Fremantle is an old renovated building with a fresh decor and shared facilities.

Fremantle Pubs

They say Fremantle has a pub on every corner and it’s not an exaggeration… For that reason, Fremantle tourism is by and large about having a cool drink. This is a destination of choice for Perth’s beloved “Sunday Sesh”, an all-afternoon drinking session.

As a port city, Fremantle has a long tradition of looking after thirsty sailors and some pubs, such as the Sail & Anchor and Little Creatures even hide a micro brewery . Do try them if you are in town, they are great pubs!

On my last Fremantle day trip, I had lunch at the Norfolk Hotel, a beautiful old pub across the street from the Fremantle Markets and it was the perfect place to catch up with friends.

Cappuccino Strip

The town has a fairly strong Italian identity, as a lot of migrants arrived through Fremantle Harbour. Pizza restaurants and Italian cafés line South Terrace, some still looking a bit drab.

South Terrace, or Cappucino Strip is where most Fremantle restaurants are. So, before or after the pub, maybe an Italian meal or seafood feast is in order!

Fremantle Prison

The Prison is probably the most striking building in Fremantle. In fact, its silhouette still dominates the city of Fremantle, in an ominous and slightly dark presence. Along with the Fremantle Arts Centre and the Round House, the Fremantle Prison is one of the earliest convict-built buildings in Fremantle. 

The Fremantle Prison was built in order to house the first convicts brought in from Britain in 1850, and was initially called the Convict Establishment. After completion in the 1850s, it remained a prison until 1991. Throughout its history, the Fremantle Prison housed British convicts, local and military prisoners, enemy aliens and POWs. 

Once one of the most notorious prisons in the British Empire, the Fremantle Prison history is actually a goldmine of stories. Many of the important characters of colonial and Western Australia have a connection to the prison and I highly recommend visiting it.

My first visit to the Fremantle Prison goes back to 1997, when I first moved to Australia. Back then, there was one type of visit, mostly focused on modern times. The prison housed up to 1200 and 58 women at any one time however, some 350,000 people were incarcerated there in the course of its history.

Today, the Fremantle Prison is part of ten Australian Convict Sites added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010. I highly recommend a visit if you are interested in Australian convict history. Another good place for convict history is Tasmania , especially Port Arthur .

The Prison Tours

There are 5 different Fremantle gaol tours you can take, depending on what interests you.

The Convict Prison

This tour covers the period from the build in 1850 till the end of the convict era in 1886. This is a great option if you are interested in Fremantle convict history.

This tour involves quite a lot of stairs and is not accessible by wheelchair.

Behind Bars

Out of the various Fremantle Prison tours, this one focuses on the more recent history and the maximum security jail. The period covered goes from 1887 and 1991. Starting in the commercial size kitchen, the guide will take through the process of arriving at the prison, show you around the different yards, the gallows (last used in 1964) and even the death row cells.

!00% wheelchair accessible.

This tour tells the real life stories of the most notorious inmates of the Fremantle Prison. From bushrangers to thieves, murderers, serial killers, bank robbers and escape artists, this is the story of 140 years of West Australia’s criminal history.

Please note that this tour is not for children under 10.

Torchlight Tour

This is a Fremantle ghost tour and it goes through the more macabre aspects of the prison’s history, the ghastly and ghostly stories…

This Fremantle night tour goes for 1,5 hours and runs every Wednesday and Friday nights. Bookings are essential.

The Tunnels Tour

This tour is longer than the others (2,5 hours) and includes an underground boat ride and a visit of the tunnels built by the prisoners. There is a minimum age of 12 for this tour and you need to have a good level of fitness to explore the labyrinth of tunnels built by the prisoners.

This tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Fremantle Prison Tour Prices

Fremantle Prison tour times: The Convict Prison, Behind Bars, Great Escapes last 1 hour and 15 minutes, and run every hour.

You can combine two of them in the Prison Tour Package for $32 per adult. You can also combine a tram tour and one prison tour of your choice on this ticket .

Fremantle Arts Centre

The Fremantle Arts Centre is the former lunatic asylum and one of Freo’s most significant landmarks, on Ord Street. Built by convict labour in the 1860s in colonial gothic style, the Fremantle Arts Centre has had many uses over the years. 

After a time as an “Asylum for the Criminally Insane”, the building was used to house homeless women and delinquent girls. Then it became a midwifery school. 

The WA Maritime Museum called it home for a while and the Migration Museum occupied some of the rooms until it was permanently closed in 2009.

In my view, the most fascinating aspect of the Fremantle Arts Centre is that it is said to be haunted. I’m not a big believer in ghosts but the Fremantle Arts Centre has the reputation of being one of the most haunted buildings in Western Australia. Visitors and staff have experienced creepy events, such as cold spots, voices, physical contact, black shadows and even apparitions.

When I visited the Fremantle Arts Centre in the late 90s, the Migration Museum was still open and even capitalised on the ghost reputation.

I remember going into a small room at the end of a corridor and being totally creeped out… Sure, the displays were quite “staged” to increase the feeling of a presence but still…

On my last Fremantle day trip, there was none of that. The Fremantle Arts Centre seems to be only dedicated to art events and workshops, and there is no mention of the ghost reputation… It’s a bit of a shame and it’s to you if you want to include it in your Fremantle itinerary.

Fremantle Markets

Another historic place to visit in Fremantle is the markets, on the corner of South Terrace and Henderson Street. Built in 1897, the Fremantle Markets are the hippy heart of the port city. 

The main hall is full of novelty stalls, jewellery, hats, wooden objects, art work and many more knick-knacks. There is also a fresh food hall at the back.

The Fremantle Markets haven’t changed much since I lived in Perth and remain one of the essential Fremantle attractions.

Fremantle Round House

Fremantle sightseeing includes a number of historic places. The Round House is one of the most interesting things to see in Fremantle. Built as a gaol in 1830, just after the establishment of the Swan River Colony, the Round House is the oldest remaining building in Western Australia. 

Built on the model of panopticon, the Round House has eight cells, a jailer’s residence and a well in the courtyard. The cells are tiny, and yet held colonial and indigenous prisoners until 1886. 

Like many colonial buildings, the Round House, Fremantle has had several uses: it was a police lock-up until 1900.

At the front of the Round House, overlooking Bathers Beach, is a deck with a cannon and time ball. The cannon is fired every day at 1pm. At the same time, one of volunteer guides drops the time ball from the mast. This process was used to help mariners adjust their chronometers.

This process is no longer required with digital timekeeping but it’s a nice tradition and one of Fremantle’s tourist attractions.

The Round House is a special place for me. I became a volunteer guide there when I first moved to Perth. So I did get to operate the time ball and I was involved in Fremantle tours.

Bathers Beach

Fremantle being a port city, you wouldn’t necessarily expect a pretty beach, but Bathers Beach is just behind the Round House. The Whalers’ Tunnel built under the Round House is now open so you can simply walk to the beach.

You can include this small beach in your list of Fremantle things to do.

Esplanade Hotel

This elegant colonial building sits on the location of the warehouse built by Fremantle’s first harbour master. In 1850, this was the first home of the 75 convicts brought in from Britain to help build the struggling colony.

There were many transformations after that and it finally opened as a hotel in 1895. If you are looking for what to do in Fremantle, why not try High Tea at the Esplanade Hotel.

Old Merchant Buildings

Creating your own Fremantle walking tour is a great way to discover the many aspects of the port city. High Street, Phillimore Street and High Street have an interesting collection of old shipping buildings. Those Edwardian mansions were built by wealthy shipping merchants and many of them have been restored. They are one of the things to see in Fremantle.

These stately buildings give a good idea of the past glory of the port city and make for great Fremantle sightseeing.

WA Maritime Museum

What better place than Fremantle to house a Maritime Museum? Indeed, Fremantle still has a very strong seafaring identity and purpose. The WA Maritime Museum is an attractive modern building on the edge of the harbour, shaped like a sail. 

The museum is a comprehensive account of all seafaring and marine life. The museum holds impressive collections of objects relating to pilot boats, cruise liners, fishing, whaling and defence ships. 

For the more technically inclined, there is even a section on ship engines and a lighthouse lantern.

The most spectacular aspect of the museum is how boats are hanging from the ceiling, including the famous Australia II, who won the America’s Cup in Perth in 1983.

I found the WA Maritime Museum really interesting, even though I’m not hugely into boats. The displays are really well done and full of interesting details. Visiting the museum on a Fremantle day trip is a good way to measure the importance and influence of seafaring for Western Australia.

Outside the museum are the “Welcome Walls” paying tribute to the many migrants who came to Western Australia by sea.

Shipwrecks Museum

This addition to the WA Maritime Museum was recently opened in the newly renovated Commissariat building on Cliff Street. The entry is by gold coin donation and the WA Shipwrecks Museum is recognised as a leading maritime arch a eology centre. 

The coast of Western Australia is treacherous and there are many shipwrecks listed in the museum. The most extraordinary shipwreck in the museum is that of the Batavia, a flagship of the Dutch East India Company wrecked on the Abrolhos Islands, near Kalbarri in 1628.

A barely believable story of mutiny, mass murder and survival ensued and, whilst very well documented through survivors’ journals and accounts, discoveries are still being made.

The Shipwrecks Museum contains a number of relics from the Batavia but the most potent of all is the timber hull of the ship.

Fremantle Harbour and the Sheds

One of the very simple joys of visiting a port city is to watch the harbour at work. Victoria Quay and the sheds are a perfect vantage point and a departure point for cruises from Fremantle

Cruise ships, container ships, Rottnest Island ferries and other Fremantle cruises make for the bulk of the activity. The B-Shed has a nice bar with tables and chairs looking onto the harbour.

Nearby is the E-Shed, which contains a weekend market, however it’s not as good as the Fremantle Markets.

Swan Cruises

The cruises out of Fremantle are also an attractive activity as part of your itinerary. A day trip to Rottnest Island is a fantastic way to continue your exploration of Perth and its surroundings. Check out additional information and current tour prices .

There are also cruises going from Fremantle to Perth. Check out additional information and current tour prices .

Fremantle Street Art

The Perth street art scene is one of the best I’ve seen in Australia. Melbourne is still the strongest but Perth and Fremantle have some very impressive work. If you are looking for fun things to do in Fremantle, don’t miss some of the murals around town.

The Black Octopus painted at the entrance of Fremantle by Welsh-born artist Phlegm is a striking vision and one of the best examples of Fremantle street art.

One of the best places to see street art is  in South Fremantle. The large mural on the side of East West Design by Graeme Richards on South Terrace is a wonderful way to turn a bland warehouse into a street full of shops.

A little further on South Terrace, there is a beautiful mural of two coloured zebras on the side of Ootong and Lincoln, by Anya Brock. Who would have thought that coloured zebras would look so good?

There are many more examples of fantastic street art along South Terrace. You can get there on the Fremantle Cat Bus.

The Rainbow Sea Containers

In another homage to Fremantle’s hippy and quirky persona, Perth artist Marcus Canning is responsible for a striking art installation at the north entrance of the port city. On Beach Reserve, the nine brightly-coloured recycled sea containers are clearly visible to all visitors, whether they come by train, car or boat on the Swan River.

The sea containers are joined to form an arch and painted the colours of the rainbow. It’s very popular with tourists for Instagram photos and it can get busy. Visit in the late afternoon to get the best light.

It’s one of the coolest Fremantle attractions! There is a car park along Beach Street below the containers, otherwise you can park for free at the Tuckfield Oval Parkland nearby.

At the end of my two-day itinerary, you need a break… And also to go back to what’s best in Perth: the beach! Western Australia has some incredible beaches, all the way up to Kalbarri .

Stop at Port Beach, the restaurant has a cool vibe and cold drinks, and is right on the beach!

How to get to Fremantle

The distance from Perth to Fremantle is only 18km. It’s an easy drive along the West Australian coast . You can also get there on the train from Perth CBD. Locally, the CAT bus can easily take you to South Fremantle and back.

Is that enough for two days? I’m pretty sure this itinerary will keep busy exploring Fremantle.

Related Posts

Fremantle prison review, perth street art, perth itinerary.

Can you recommend other things to do in Fremantle, Western Australia? Tell me about it in the comments below!

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32 thoughts on “What to do in Fremantle: Two Day Itinerary”

So detailed! That’s super helpful

Thank you Sarah, please don’t hesitate to tell which particular part you found so helpful!

Wow, there’s so much to do! Must be so hard to choose. If I ever visit the first place I will go to is the Fremantle Street Art! The street looks amazing! I am so drawn to it.

Hi Sam, I agree with you, street art is the best. It gives the city of very unique identity and it’s art accessible to everyone.

Those street arts are so cool ! Especially that rainbow containers arc ! Funny the last time I was in Perth, we only managed to go to the Fremantle market. I’ll be sure to check off this list the next time I visit. Thanks for sharing ! =)

Hi Jeremy, the rainbow sea containers are so iconic! The colour in them is fading a bit now but you get a view of the industrial harbour from there, it’s a perfect combination!

Looks like a great place to visit with tons of tours. I think I’d be interested in the Prison tour in particular.

Hi Dana, Fremantle Prison is the highlight you can’t miss, even if you go there for one or two days. It’s a bit ominous as it still towers over the city of Fremantle. The interesting thing is that former inmates visit the place on a regular basis!

I somehow missed the rainbow shipping containers when I visited! I really loved visiting the prison and seeing the amazing architecture. I made the mistake of going as a day trip from Perth, but I would definitely recommend staying for a few days, as one day wasn’t enough!

Hi Katie, Fremantle is worth so much more than a day, I agree with you. The Prison is not a fun place and it’s somewhat easy to forget it was a place of incarceration but it’s most interesting. I remember visiting it when I first arrived in Australia, around 1998. It had only been closed since 1991 so the visit was very basic. It’s much more in depth now and the convict history is what I liked the best.

Such a prison tour, I would also like to join. Is really something different than always running through churches or castles. Very sexy. To discover the harbor I also imagine exciting. It seems that Fremantle is an interesting place.

Hi Suzanne, I agree that prison tours are very interesting and quite different from visiting churches and castles. However, churches and castles are really good in Europe and there are plenty of prisons in Australia, due to the convict history. I would stop short of calling them sexy though, they were really horrible places back in the day. Fremantle Prison is very cleaned up now but you do get a shiver when you visit the gallows…

I haven’t been to Fremantle for a long time and it sure looks like it has changed a lot. Would love to visit again. The colonial buildings are lovely, and I always enjoy beaches and markets. My husband would want to visit the maritime museum, I’m sure. The old art centre sure has a fascinating history!

Hi Tania, Fremantle has changed but not that much really. Some of the bars are a bit more hipster but the general feel is the same. I felt the markets hadn’t changed much. When I first visited, the merchant buildings had already been renovated, at least for most of them. All in all, it’s still a great place to hang out!

I wasn’t aware of Fremantle before. It seems there are so many things to do there, and you have managed to keep the reader engaged by listing out all the interesting places to visit and things to do. Whether it’s about chilling at one of the Fremantle pubs, or eating at one of the restaurants in Cappucino Strip, or going for a prison tour and checking what’s behind the bars, or enjoying the Tunnels Tour, or enjoying the Art Center, Round House, Maritime Museum, and more, Fremantle has everything covered. The Rainbow Sea Containers are my favorite though. This makes up a great week long vacation there.

Hi Shreya, thank you for your comment, I’m pleased that you enjoyed my tour of Fremantle. This place has a lot going for it. The rainbow containers are such a fun and happy touch, it’s worth stopping by for some insta-shots!

I just LOVE historic destinations. The Fremantle Prison sounds like a treasure trove of story material and photo opportunities…a stark reminder of Australia’s penal colony past. Naturally, where there is such history, there has to be drinking and with a pub on every corner, shazam! One is never lacking for a pint it appears. As a lover of street art, Fremantle looks amazing.

Hi Michael, you are right, Australia has a lot of colonial prisons to visit and a lot of pubs too! It’s worth doing both, absolutely. My favourite thing in Fremantle is the street art, I’m working on my next post about this very topic!

Fremantle is one of my favourite place where I can spend some time with my best ones. This is very helpful blog for those who want visit Fremantle with best ones.

Hi Luke, I agree that Fremantle is a good place to hang out with friends.

Wow, so much to do! Perhaps it’s my background as a news journalist, but I am one of those people who would find the Fremantle Prison fascinating, as dark as it may be. I would want to hear all the stories on the most notorious inmates. Then, on a more cheerful note, I would probably check out the amazing street art, and head to the pub and the beach.

Hi Cindy, the Prison is indeed very interesting and has plenty of fascinating stories. Not the most cheerful place but it’s a big part of the local history so why ignore it?

I don’t care to go on drinking tours when I’m traveling so I would skip that, but the prison tour sounds something that might be worth a visit. I like the idea of the underground boat ride and visiting the tunnels built by the prisoners. Sounds creepy but may be interesting at the same time.

Hi Candy, I found the visit of Fremantle Prison really interesting although I didn’t do the underground tour. I’ll have to add that for next time I’m down there!

I’m considering Perth more and more for my next week-long vacation (I’ve found some really good airfare, like 250ish USD for a round trip from Vietnam where I’m currently based) and this just makes me want to go even more. It’s really cool that Fremantle is its own little town, but it’s not so far from Perth that it’s difficult to get to. I’d love to check out all the pubs, the Cappuccino Strip, and the street art. Normally prison tours wouldn’t necessarily interest me, but since they seem so linked to Fremantle’s history, I would definitely try to do at least one of the tours.

Hi Kevin, a week is a good time for Perth. You could even spend a day on Rottnest Island or a couple of days in Margaret River. There are some good flights to Vietnam on Jetstar, which is a low cost but decent airline. Fremantle is only 15 mns from Perth and really easy to get to on the train. Prisons are such a big part of Australia’s colonial history, it’s true that it’s not a common thing to visit otherwise…

Wow, there is a lot to do and see in Fremantle! I’m a sucker for street art, so that would probably be at the top of my list followed by the prison.

Street art is becoming one of my favourite things, I always need to find some wherever I go!

The street art is beautiful! We have some in the city here in a New Zealand. So nice to walk the streets and see that! What a great guide though! I’m not much of a planner so it’s perfect to have this.

Hi Lauren, looking for street art is a great way to discover a city off the beaten track. Of course, you need to explore the back lanes and maybe get lost a little bit but it’s worth it!

That’s a lot of prison tours! I like the sound of ‘Behind bars’. Fremantle also seems like a good base for some wildlife watching – a day trip to Rottnest island, blue whale cruises. I think I just discovered my next holiday spot! Thanks for putting it on the map for me, Delphine!

Hi Margarita, I don’t think I could do all the prison tours in one go! I did two when I was there and that was enough! I am planning to go back to Rottnest on my next trip and I would love to do a whale cruise too! So much to do!

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Fremantle prison tours.

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Visit Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison was constructed during the 1850s. During Australia’s convict era it housed prisoners transported from England and Ireland. In 1886 the jail was handed over to thecolonial authorities to house locally-sentenced prisoners. The prison closed in 1991. Today the historic building is preserved as an internationally recognized World Heritage Site. Theformer prison houses a museum with artifacts and artwork by former prisoners and hosts a range of exciting tours.

"Step inside and do time" with Fremantle Prison’s experienced guides on a range of fascinating tours, including Convict Prison, Behind Bars and True Crime. These Prison Day Tours highlight convict and prison life, daring escapes and colorful characters in tales laced with prison humour.

Visitors with a spirit for adventure can descend 65 feet (20 meters) below the prison to explore just over half a mile (1 kilometer) of tunnels on foot and by boat on a Tunnels Tour or delve into the darker side of the prison's history at night on a spooky Torchlight Tour.

In addition to its guided tours Fremantle Prison also features an interpretive Visitor Centre, on-site cafe, award-winning Gift Shop and exhibitions in the Prison Gallery.

The Fremantle Prison is located13 miles (22 kilometers) south from Perth and is accessible by public transportation. It’s open every day of the year except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Check the website for tour prices and times.

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Reviews of fremantle prison.

Very busy during school holidays!

2/5 - Disappointing

Expensive and not that old. Pretty brutal prison so I found it disturbing

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