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THE 19th-century European settlement town of Fremantle is a historical and cultural gem of Western Australia waiting to be discovered.
Fremantle also straddles the ocean, boasting white beaches, plenty of water sports on windy days, and the best fish and chips in Western Australia.
If visiting Fremantle is not already on your must-see list when visiting Western Australia, add it now and be sure to check out these top 10 must-do things while you’re there.
WA Shipwreck Museum
The golden coin donation museum is steeped in history and full of incredible shipwreck relics which have been recovered from ships that sunk off the coast of Western Australia.
A must-see in the museum are the hull timbers from the nearly 500-year-old Dutch Batavia ship which are displayed alongside countless artifacts including liquor bottles, coins, belt buckles, and even jewelry.
There are tales of mutinies, first encounters with aboriginals, and how Fremantle became the town it is today.
Source: Holly Patrick.
- Address: 5 Cliff Street, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160.
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:30-17:00.
Shopping
If you are always on the lookout for one-off pieces, Fremantle provides plenty of boutiques, vintage clothing stores, and Op-shops where you are bound to find what you are looking for.
Beat Happening at 3/128 High Street is particularly cool as it sells a selection of vintage clothing and home furnishings.
Then there are all the Op-Shops, better known as charity shops or secondhand clothing stores.
Source: Holly Patrick.
They might have a reputation for being full of musty and moth-eaten clothes in other places across the globe but in Fremantle, they are often full of vintage designer items and beautiful jewelry.
They are dotted all over this historical city so get on Google and map out your shopping trail.
Little Sister Delicatessen
Stacked to the ceiling with cheeses, salamis and olives, preserves and fresh bread, Little Sister Delicatessen is the perfect place to grab picnic essentials, gifts and dinner party delights.
Source: Holly Patrick.
Ask the assistants about their creamy gorgonzola and watch as they use an ice cream scoop to efficiently bundle the cheese into a container.
You could easily spend hours in Little Sister Delicatessen trying and buying everything.
Source: Holly Patrick.
- Address: 25 Market Street, 6160, Fremantle, Western Australia.
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:30; Saturday, 09:00-17:00; Sunday, 11:30-17:00.
Bill Campbell Books
Everyone is welcome in Bill Campbell Books. No matter if you are a bookworm or vacation-reader, Bill will have a book for you and plenty of time to answer your questions.
The enchanting bookshop is dotted with reading corners and a perfect place to while away an hour or so.
Source: Holly Patrick.
- Address: 48 High Street, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160.
- Opening hours: Monday, 10:00-17:00; Wednesday to Friday, 10:00-17:00; Saturday and Sunday, 12:00-17:00. Closed on Tuesdays.
Fremantle markets
No trip to Fremantle is complete without a visit to the 100-year-old markets. Established in 1897, the markets have barely changed except from a lick of paint and the stall owners.
Source: Holly Patrick.
The distinctive atmosphere inside Freemantle Markets is bright, vibrant and incredible smelling, with 150 stalls selling everything from chocolate-coated bananas, Australian biltong, fresh fruit, pickles, paella, curry mee, baklava, alcohol-infused coffee, secret recipe fudge and so much more.
Jewelry stalls, contemporary clothing, Australian instruments, and even action figurines can also be purchased in this market.
Stall sellers are happy for you to take pictures, strike up conversations, and best of all, try their produce!
Source: Holly Patrick.
- Address: South Terrace and Henderson Street, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160.
- Opening hours: Friday, 09:00-20:00; Saturday and Sunday, 09:00-18:00.
Fremantle Prison Museum
Fremantle was originally built as a free man’s settlement, meaning those who arrive on the shores did so off their own free will.
However, the settlement didn’t gain much popularity and the British government decided to turn it into a penal colony to relieve the pressure on British prisons.
Source: Shutterstock.
The first ship of convicts arrived in 1850 and the men were set to work building the prison and other buildings in Fremantle, namely Warder’s cottages in Henderson Street which still exist today.
The prison was only closed in 1991 and saw plenty of riots, fights, dramatic escapes, and even executions in its 140-year history.
Today, the prison is a fascinating museum with limited free exhibitions and more in-depth paid tours which take visitors on tours of the tunnels and delve into convicts’ stories.
Source: Shutterstock.
- Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160.
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:00-17:00.
Tourist Wheel and Esplanade Park
The 40-meter-high Tourist Wheel offers 24 fully-enclosed gondolas and stunning views across Fremantle harbor, the historic city, and into the beautiful Esplanade Park below.
After having a bird’s eye view of Fremantle, head down to the wide Esplanade Park for a picnic and let the kids play in the swing and slide-filled park.
Source: Holly Patrick.
- Address: Marine Terrace, Fremantle Western Australia 6160.
- Opening hours: Tourist Wheel, Monday to Sunday, 10:00-21:00; Esplanade Park, 24 hours.
Bathers Beach
Bathers Beach is one of the best places in the whole of Australia to catch the sunset. Its white sandy beaches create a great place for lone sun-worshippers and families alike to set up camp and have a day of beach fun.
In fact, if you have more then a day in Fremantle, we suggest doing exactly that because Bathers Beach is a destination in its own right.
It is well within walking distance from Fremantle city center and surrounded by delicious seafood restaurants.
Source: Shutterstock.
- Address: Mews Road, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160.
North Mole Lighthouse
A short walk from Bathers Beach is the North Mole Lighthouse displaying its magnificent white and green colors against an almost always blue sky.
The lighthouse is not open to the public, but it makes a great picture spot with awesome sea views.
Source: Holly Patrick.
- Address: North Mole Drive, North Fremantle, Western Australia, 6159.
Fish and chips on the beach
Sweet Lips often has a queue trailing out the door but it is well worth the wait. Their home cut chips and a huge variety of fresh fish are served with a wedge of lemon and lashings of salt and vinegar (optional).
There are also salad options, Asian-inspired bao, fried cheese and plenty more.
Source: Holly Patrick.
- Address: Unit 8, 47 Mews Rd, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160 (at Bathers Beach).
- Opening times: Monday to Thursday, 10:00-20:30; Friday to Sunday, 10:00-21:00.
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