In a nutshell
- This small, charming port city sits right next to Perth and is considered its alternative neighborhood. Locals simply call it “Freo.”
- Top things to do include the Fremantle Markets, the Cappuccino Strip, and the city’s cool street art scene.
- Our top place to stay in Fremantle is the Quest Fremantle — central location, quiet, and spacious rooms.
- Our favorite restaurants are Ootong & Lincoln, the Mexican Kitchen, and The Little Concept.
- Those are our highlights — but there’s plenty more to discover! Read on for all our Fremantle travel tips and top attractions.
Attractions in Fremantle
Fremantle doesn’t have the kind of absolute must-see highlights that belong on every bucket list.
It’s more the laid-back vibe and the pleasant atmosphere that make Freo so special. Of course, there are still a few great sights for sightseeing fans to discover.
All the attractions are easily reachable on foot — after all, Fremantle isn’t very large.
Fremantle Markets
What you need to know: The historic market halls in Fremantle have everything your heart desires, Friday through Sunday. You’ll find all the typical market staples here, especially fresh fruit and vegetables. At the other end of the market you’ll find design and home goods, art, antiques, fashion, and souvenirs. Almost every stall offers something a little different.
Is it worth it? Definitely! The Fremantle Markets were one of our top highlights in Freo.
Our tip: Throughout the market halls you’ll find plenty of food stalls. From paella to Korean and Japanese specialties to delicious cakes, there’s something for every foodie. There was even a stall selling German bratwurst — though we didn’t try it. It just didn’t look like a proper Thuringian sausage.
Cappuccino Strip
What you need to know: Fremantle is famous for its many bars and cafés. A lot of them are clustered along South Terrace, which at some point picked up the nickname Cappuccino Strip. Why exactly it’s called that, we couldn’t figure out — in reality it’s mostly restaurants and pubs rather than classic cafés.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! The street is worth a visit not only for its restaurants but also for its beautiful architecture.
Our tip: Make sure to explore the side streets nearby. You’ll find lots of pretty buildings and some seriously hip cafés and restaurants tucked away there too.
Round House
What you need to know: The Round House was built in 1830 and is the oldest building in all of Western Australia. Originally it served as a prison. After the larger Fremantle Prison was completed, it was used for a variety of purposes over the years.
Is it worth it? It’s okay. The Round House isn’t exactly the most thrilling stop, but it’s worth at least taking a quick look.
Our tip: From the top you get a great view over Bathers Beach and the port of Fremantle.
Daily 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Free
Fremantle Prison
What you need to know: Fremantle Prison was for many years a notorious jail. It opened in 1855 and was initially used for convicts from Great Britain. It was the only place in Western Australia where executions were carried out. The harsh conditions led to various uprisings, with the last violent riot occurring in 1988. The prison was subsequently closed and has been decommissioned since 1991 — it’s now open to visitors and is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Is it worth it? We didn’t go inside ourselves, but from everything we’ve heard, a visit sounds really fascinating.
Our tip: Several tours are offered for visiting the prison. You can’t explore it independently — a guided tour is required.
Shipwreck Museum
What you need to know: The Shipwreck Museum displays numerous artifacts from ships that sank off the coast of Western Australia. Among the standouts are the remains of the legendary Batavia, which went down off the coast in 1629 — followed by a brutal mutiny among the survivors.
Is it worth it? Yes! We’d especially recommend it on a rainy day.
Western Australian Maritime Museum
What you need to know: Right next to the Shipwreck Museum is the Western Australian Maritime Museum. The building’s striking architecture catches your eye from a distance. Inside you’ll find some extraordinary exhibits, including the winning yacht Australia II — which claimed the America’s Cup — and a decommissioned submarine.
Is it worth it? Yes, it’s one of the top things to do in the greater Perth area.
Our tip: The submarine can only be seen on a guided tour, offered daily every half hour between 10 AM and 3:30 PM.
Street Art in Fremantle
What you need to know: Just like in Perth, you’ll find cool street art around every corner in Freo. It’s scattered throughout the whole city and you don’t really have to search for it — just wander around!
Is it worth it? Absolutely! The street art gives Fremantle a truly special character.
Our tip: Venture into the side streets now and then — that’s where you’ll find most of the artwork. There are some really great things to discover!
Our Restaurant Recommendations for Fremantle
Of course we tried a few restaurants in Freo as well, and we don’t want to keep our favorites to ourselves.
- Grill’d Healthy Burger (South Terrace & Collie Street, Daily 11 AM to 10 PM) – OK, Grill’d isn’t exactly an under-the-radar pick — it’s a burger chain you’ll find all over Australia. But the burgers are simply outstanding, so we ended up eating there more than once. Definitely try the zucchini chips.
- Ootong & Lincoln (258 South Terrace, Daily 6 AM to 5 PM). Ootong & Lincoln is a great spot for breakfast. The portions are pretty generous, the food is delicious, and the coffee hits the spot too.
- The Little Concept (7 Wray Avenue, Daily 6:30 AM to 5 PM, Sunday until 3 PM). The Little Concept serves up really tasty vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes for breakfast and lunch, along with some truly unusual drinks. How about a beet latte, for example? There are also sweet treats, including homemade (vegan) Mars, Snickers, and Bounty bars.
- Little Creatures Brewery (221 Swanston St, Wed–Fri 10 AM to 10 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM to 10 PM and Mon–Tue 10 AM to 5 PM) – A brewery in a super cool location. They offer a solid selection of beers (the Pale Ale and Dog Days were especially good!), small and large tapas, and pizza.
Heads up: Many restaurants don’t keep their kitchen open all the way until closing time. It’s not uncommon for the kitchen to close one to two hours before the restaurant does. So if you want to eat, don’t leave it until the last minute — and always check the opening hours beforehand!
Hotel Tips for Fremantle
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Getting from Perth to Fremantle
Depending on whether you’re staying in Perth or in Fremantle, you’ll need to get between the two. Fortunately, that’s no problem at all — there’s excellent train service and even a ferry.
Train between Fremantle and Perth
The fastest way to travel from Perth to Fremantle is by train.
Trains run between Fremantle Station and Perth Station every ten to fifteen minutes.
The journey takes just under 30 minutes and costs AUD 7.00 (around €4.20) round trip.
You can buy tickets directly at the station or pay contactlessly.
Ferry between Fremantle and Perth
Far more scenic, of course, is the ferry ride connecting Perth and Freo along the Swan River. This isn’t a regular commuter service though — it’s primarily designed for tourists.
From Perth, ferries depart at 11:15 AM and 2:15 PM. From Fremantle, there’s a departure at 12:45 PM. The trip takes just over an hour and features an audio commentary about the sights you pass along the way.
The round-trip fare is AUD 65 (approximately €39) per person. Book your tickets online in advance.
