ACCESSIBLE FREMANTLE

Fremantle is a welcoming city and one that celebrates diversity and difference.

We are committed to ensuring our city is as accessible as possible to all. We want it to be a place where everyone can enjoy our beautiful beaches, a visit to one of our many museums and attractions and the simple hospitality of our hotels, restaurants, cafés and bars.

Fremantle is Perth's Old Town and our Victorian buildings and streetscapes, especially in the West End, are renowned for their heritage value. Fremantle's revitalisation and adaptive re-use of heritage buildings to meet contemporary accessibility needs is resulting in improved access to these venues. We have compiled information to help families and visitors plan their day in Fremantle from where to park, use a restroom, shop and dine in WA’s favourite seaside city.

Visitor information

The first stop is the official visitor information centre in Walyalup Koort. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff and volunteer guides are available to help plan your stay:

Fremantle Visitor Centre 

Walyalup Koort 

155 High Street, Fremantle WA 6160 

E info@visitfremantle.com.au 

T +61 8 9432 9988 or TTY (teletypewriter 08 9432 9777)

ATIC accessibility report

The City of Fremantle (visitfremantle.com.au) has completed an accessibility audit for Walyalup Civic Centre, including Fremantle Library, the results of which are included in this ATIC Accessibility report and are provided to assist visitors planning their visit to Fremantle.

Getting around: public transport and parking

• Our Accessible Freo Map has details of ramps and pathways. For visitors, official disabled parking permits issued worldwide are accepted in Fremantle.
• The Fremantle bus & train station is a major transport hub for the region and the station is close to the city centre and Victoria Quay.
• Displaying current ACROD parking permits in a vehicle allows free parking in all City of Fremantle owned car parks and ‘on street’ bays for twice the signposted limit (except time limits shown on dedicated ACROD bays). Similar benefit is also available for Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) ex-serviceperson permit holders, though that permit is not valid for use in an ACROD parking bay.

Changing places and accessible toilets

• A Changing Places toilet is available in the Walyalup Civic Centre (entrance off William Street) in Walyalup Koort. Access to the Changing Place requires a MLAK (key) which is available to borrow during opening hours from customer service within the centre.
• Locations for accessible toilets in Fremantle can be found on the National Public Toilet Map website

Accommodation

• Quest Apartment Hotel is listed on the Accessible Accommodation website. There are five two-bedroom apartments that are fully equipped and designed for guests with specific access needs. The specifications include purpose-built and equipped bathrooms with railings, shower seat, low lying vanity and plenty of circulation space. Low lying furniture with all fittings, fixtures and amenities accessible. They have wheelchair access to all guest public areas of the hotel.
• Esplanade Hotel Fremantle offers comfortable accessible Superior Rooms presented with simple yet elegant décor, a queen or king size bed and a modern ensuite with wheelchair accessible shower.

Entertainment precinct

Fremantle is Perth’s favourite entertainment precinct with restaurants, cafes, live music, bars, cinemas, museums, markets and attractions. Check these sites for the latest information on accessible venues in Fremantle:

1. Google Maps:
2. Accessible Australia: Spinal Life’s Accessible Australia app is a free online resource that gives you the ability to know before you go and leave personal reviews of places that you visit. Search the database of places including food & drink, entertainment, live music, infrastructure, accommodation and transit.
3. Ability Heroes: Providing valuable information on access and inclusion friendly locations and a large range of services to the community including toilets ramps, cafes, playgrounds and restaurants, search the Ability Heroes database.

Beaches and swimming pools

Beach wheelchairs are available for loan at several of our beaches:

• Bathers Beach: A beach wheelchair is available for free hire from WA Shipwrecks Museum all year round from 7 am-5 pm (except public holidays).
• South Beach: A beach wheelchair is available for free hire from South Beach Cafe all year round from 7 am-5 pm.
• Leighton Beach: A beach wheelchair is available for free hire from The Orange Box all year round from 7 am-3 pm (subject to the opening hours of The Orange Box). The City of Fremantle has installed beach matting from the Beach Wheelchair storage unit towards the beach.

Find out how to book here

• Fremantle Leisure Centre: The 25m, 50m and leisure pools are equipped with wheelchair access ramps and pool ladders. There are also junior and senior aquatic (waterproof) wheelchairs that may be used at any time. All pools can also be accessed with a chairlift hoist if required (please advise in advance or allow time for set up if you require this service). The centre has three accessible change rooms, one of which is equipped with a battery operated hoist/sling to assist in showering and changing. Duty managers and lifeguards are always available for assistance if needed.

Rottnest Island

Fremantle is the gateway to Rottnest Island and is a 25-minute ferry ride from B-Shed Fremantle or Rous Head in North Fremantle. Rottnest Express offers a range of special assistance services for passengers travelling to the island.

Wadjemup / Rottnest Island offers visitors wide pathways, ramps to most facilities and a number of accessible toilets. Outdoor seating and rest areas are also available to make your island experience as enjoyable as possible.

Other links and resources

We welcome feedback or recommendations on your experience in Fremantle. Please tag your favourite places and experiences on @visitfremantle on Facebook or Instagram.

This information was correct at the time of publishing June 2023.