Things to do in Fremantle
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Cicerello's
This busy fish 'n' chippery has been around since 1903 and remains a quintessential Freo experience. Leave the kids staring at the large aquariums, choose your fish and chips, then pick a spot out on the boardwalk to devour it.
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Round House
Commenced in 1830, shortly after the founding of the colony, this odd 12-sided stone prison is the oldest surviving building in WA. It was the site of the colony's first hangings and was used for holding Aborigines before they were taken to Rottnest Island.
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Maritime Museum Shipwrecks Galleries
Although the Maritime Museum commands a lot of attention, don’t miss the intriguing Shipwrecks Galleries, where you can learn about gung-ho seafaring adventures and misfortunes. The museum (in a building constructed in 1852 as a commissariat store) has a display on WA’s maritime history, with emphasis on the recovery and restoration of the famous wreck Batavia, in addition to other Dutch merchant ships and some more recent wrecks.
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Fremantle Tram
The Fremantle Tram, in fact a bus that looks like an old-fashioned trolley car, leaves from the Fremantle Town Hall. The historic tours of Fremantle, which go up to the war memorial (great views), leave at 09:45 but you can hop on at other stops around the city (adult/child $20/5). The ‘Very Scary Ghostly Tour' (adult/child $48/32) runs 18:45 Fridays and visits the prison, graveyards and other spooky spots.
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Mojo's
Good old Mojo's is one of Freo's longstanding live-music pubs – a real stalwart. Local and national bands and DJs play at this small venue, and there's a sociable beer garden out the back.
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Western Australian Maritime Museum
Housed in a stunning, architect-designed building on the harbour, just west of the city centre, the Western Australian Maritime Museum is a fascinating exploration of WA's relationship with the ocean. It faces out to the sea, which has shaped so much of the state's, and Fremantle's, destiny.
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Fremantle Arts Centre
An impressive neo-Gothic building surrounded by lovely elm-shaded gardens, the Fremantle Arts Centre was constructed by convict labourers as a lunatic asylum in the 1860s. Saved from demolition in the late 1960s, it houses a changing roster of interesting exhibitions.
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Mussel Bar
Mussel Bar's large glass windows afford romantic views of the glittering harbour. Mussels, of course, are the go – or you can knock back fresh oysters with a sunset glass of bubbly.
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WA Maritime Museum
Housed in a stunning, architect-designed building on the harbour, just west of the city centre, the WA Maritime Museum explores WA’s relationship with the ocean. It faces out to the sea, which has shaped so much of the state’s, and Fremantle’s, destiny.
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Bon Scott sculpture
A surprising drawcard for visitors is the Bon Scott sculpture at J Shed, where music fans can see this memorial to late-lamented local boy and lead singer of rock group AC/DC. A more permanent site is planned at Fishing Boat Harbour.
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Fly by Night Musicians Club
Variety is the key at Fly by Night, a longstanding not-for-profit club run by musos for musos. It's been the launching pad for many a local band.
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Sail & Anchor
Built in 1854, this Fremantle landmark has been impressively restored to recall much of its former glory. Downstairs is big and beer-focused; it's more sedate upstairs, where there's a verandah, and singer-songwriter night on Wednesday.
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Kakulas Sister
Kakulas Sister – a provedore packed with nuts, quince paste and Italian rocket seeds – is a cook’s dream, and an excellent spot to stock up on energy-filled snacks. If you’ve been to Kakulas in Northbridge, you’ll know the deal.
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Fremantle Markets
Originally opened in 1897, the colourful Fremantle Markets reopened in 1975 and today draws slow-moving crowds combing over souvenirs and depleting the food and fresh produce stalls to the accompaniment of rotating buskers.
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Norfolk Hotel
Slow down to the Freo pace and take your time over one of the many beers on tap at this 1887 pub. The limestone courtyard, with the sun streaking in through the elms and eucalypts, is downright soporific sometimes.
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Maya
Maya's white tablecloths and wooden chairs signal classic style without the pomp. Its well-executed meals have earnt it the reputation of WA's best Indian restaurant. Try a Punjabi, Delhi or Bombay banquet.
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Juicy Beetroot
This popular meat-free zone serves tasty vego and vegan dishes of the wholefood variety (tofu burgers, curries etc), and zingy fresh juices. It's tucked up an alley off High St (near No 132), with outdoor seating.
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Old Fremantle Prison
In some ways, the Old Fremantle Prison, with its foreboding 5m-high walls, dominates present-day Fremantle. Tales of adventures and hardships experienced here have lived on in the city’s imagination.
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Red Herring
Set out on a deck with picture windows overlooking the Swan River, this great restaurant offers (mainly) seafood with a view. Fresh and simple is the key, with Asian touches to some dishes. Book well ahead.
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Samson House
Fremantle boomed during the WA gold rush and many buildings were constructed during, or shortly before, this period. Samson House is a well-preserved 1888 colonial home on Ellen St.
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Left Bank
This Edwardian riverside inn, up from the East St jetty and overlooking the water, is patronised by lively young ’uns in the downstairs cafe and bar; upstairs is a more sedate dining room.
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Gino's
Old-school Gino's is Freo's most famous cafe, and while it's become a tourist attraction in its own right, the locals still treat it as their second living room, only with better coffee.
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Moore Moore
An urban-chic cafe that spills into the adjoining art gallery and overflows into a flagstoned courtyard. Great coffee, good cooked breakfasts (including half serves for undersized appetites), pastries and wraps; free wi-fi.
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Remedy
The bottom end of the High St is the place for interesting and quirky shopping. Look for Remedy with its eclectic collection of goodies.
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