All about Fremantle
When to visit
With sunny summers (December–February) and cool, rainy winters (June–August), the latter is a popular time to visit, and you’ll find visitors and locals flocking to the city’s beaches and cafés. Weekends can also be pretty busy, with the Fremantle Markets and the museums pulling in a crowd. If you want to avoid traveling during the high tourist season, plan your trip in the fall and spring shoulder months.
Getting around
Fremantle is one of the few places in Perth (and Western Australia) that is fairly easy to explore on foot or by public transport, with buses, trains, and even ferries connecting Freo to nearby Perth and Rottnest Island. However, if you’re hoping to head a little further afield, consider renting a car. There is plenty of parking available in the city, though it can get a little pricey.
Traveler tips
A city built on the water, Fremantle has plenty of aquatic-themed activities. A great place to start is the WA Shipwrecks Museum or the WA Maritime Museum, which showcase the turbulent—and often perilous—history of the Indian Ocean coastline. If you prefer getting your feet wet, you can instead join fishing or diving tours. For a unique experience, you can even take a boating tour of the tunnels under Fremantle Prison before heading to the only licensed beach in Western Australia, Bathers Beach, for fish and chips at sunset.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I spend a day in Fremantle?
The Fremantle Markets are a great place to start a day in Fremantle. It’s an easy walk from there to Esplanade Park, Little Creatures brewery, and Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. You can then stroll around Round House, Western Australia’s oldest public building, and Bathers Beach. Finish up with a torch-lit tour of Fremantle Prison before hitting up some of Freo’s top bars.
What is Fremantle best known for?
The harbor city of Fremantle is best known for its maritime history and buzzing social scene. It’s home to the Fremantle Markets, the Fremantle Prison, the WA Maritime Museum and WA Shipwrecks Museum, and the Round House. The city also hosts the annual Fremantle International Street Arts Festival, which takes place over Easter weekend.
Is Fremantle worth a visit?
Yes, Fremantle is well worth a visit. One of the most popular places to visit in Western Australia, the harbor city of Fremantle is filled with historical attractions, great food and drink, museums, galleries, and street art. It’s also a popular base for people visiting Perth, with good public transport connecting it to both the city and Rottnest Island.
What is there to do in Fremantle in the rain?
Fremantle is one of Perth’s best destinations when it’s raining. There are some great museums to visit, like the WA Maritime Museum and the WA Shipwrecks Museum, as well as the Fremantle Prison. There are also plenty of shops and galleries, cafés and restaurants, bars and breweries, and the undercover Fremantle Markets, which are open Friday through Sunday.
Can you swim in Fremantle?
Yes, you can swim in Fremantle. Fremantle is home to some of Perth’s best beaches. South Beach is one of the most popular, but if you don’t feel like heading too far from central Freo, Bathers Beach is a great swimming spot just a stone’s throw from the main strip.
Can you see Rottnest from Fremantle?
Yes, you can see Rottnest Island from Fremantle, especially on a clear day. Known by locals as Rotto, the island lies about 11 miles (18 kilometers) west of Fremantle. As it’s popular with day-trippers, ferries run back and forth between B Shed (Victoria Quay) and Rottnest throughout the day, with the journey taking around 30 minutes each way.