Discover The Best of Fremantle This Winter

Welcome to Fremantle! Affectionately known as Freo, this vibrant port city is the place to be this winter.

Just a short 30-minute drive from Perth, Fremantle is a captivating blend of history, culture, and breathtaking coastal beauty. Its 19th-century architecture adds a touch of old-world charm to its electric atmosphere. 

When winter rolls in, Fremantle comes alive with its cosy, dimly lit bars, award-winning restaurants, boutique shops and lively music scene that sets the stage for unforgettable nights. It’s no surprise that Fremantle boasts some of Perth’s finest culinary hotspots, with its restaurants earning well-deserved spots in the prestigious WA Good Food Guide Awards. 

Don’t stay home and hibernate this winter. Get ready to uncover all the reasons to love Fremantle with our unbeatable overnight itinerary.

So, let’s hit the bustling streets of eclectic Freo!

Day 1 

12pm: Kickstart your Fremantle adventure with a long lunch at the legendary Little Creatures. Make your way to the iconic Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and step into the vibrant realm of WA’s most renowned microbrewery. Grab a pint and soak in the brewery chaos or wander into the backyard to enjoy your beer in the winter sunshine. The beer comes direct from serving tanks pumped straight from the brewery - it doesn’t get any fresher than that. The kitchen produces tasty, fresh food that complements the bold brews, such as pizzas from the wood-fired oven and world-famous frites. Before or after lunch, jump on a brewery tour with one of the resident hop heads and learn the brewing process and enjoy a guided tasting of beers and ciders.

2:30pm: Check in to your accommodation at Warders Hotel. Fremantle is home to a range of luxe accommodation options. But right now, we can’t go past the small boutique hotel in the old limestone cottages that were once the Fremantle Warders’ homes. The cottages offer a little pocket of calm among the vibrant heart of Fremantle. Expect historic rooms oozing with character, modern details and luxury finishes. Warder’s Hotel is situated in Fremantle’s cultural precinct, so it’s the perfect base to explore the city’s rich historical life and current-day hidden treasures.

Image: Warders Hotel

3pm: Visit the Fremantle Visitors Centre. The Fremantle Visitor Centre is the official visitor information centre for Fremantle and the place to be for insider knowledge to help you plan your visit. Pick up free brochures and maps, general tourism information and advice, accessibility information, free wifi, luggage storage and bike hire.

5pm: Spend the evening exploring the vibrant streets of Fremantle. Watch a film at Luna Cinemas, see a live music show, or unwind at one of the award-winning restaurants before bar hopping the night away. In the heart of Fremantle is FOMO – a blend of art, architecture, culture, and dining, all under one roof. Tend to your appetite in the hawker-style food court, indulge in a little retail therapy, and run wild in FunLab with Strike Bowling, Holey Moley mini golf, arcade games and more. Then, it’s time to retreat to the warmth of your hotel room.

Image: Flight Club Fremantle

Day 2 

9am: Sleep in. You deserve it. Then it’s time to set off and explore darling Freo on the Fremantle Discovery Trail. The trail includes iconic tourist attractions such as the Fremantle Markets, the Cappuccino Strip, Fremantle Prison, the Maritime Museum, precincts, and parks, including the heritage-listed West End and Esplanade Reserve. 

Hint: start the walk at the ‘Cappuccino Strip’ on South Terrace. The strip is a busy cosmopolitan mix of cafes, restaurants and pubs, famous for the state’s best coffee. It’s the perfect spot to find an alfresco table and watch the vibrant Fremantle world go by before continuing your walking journey.

Also located on South Terrace are the Fremantle Markets. The Fremantle Markets is the unrivalled mecca of market experiences in WA. Step inside and enjoy the distinctive atmosphere of over a hundred years of vibrant culture and heritage. Browse an eclectic mix of stalls offering everything from local produce to handmade crafts.  

Image: Fremantle Markets

1pm: Walked up an appetite? Enjoy lunch at one of Fremantle’s premier dining destinations. You’ll find a diverse mix of new-style eateries and restaurants in Fremantle, from casual and fine dining and shared tapas style to street food and roving street trucks. From yum cha at Emily Taylor to classic fish and chips at Cicerello’s, there’s something to suit every craving. 

3pm: Spend a lazy afternoon admiring Fremantle’s architecture and pause at the beautifully grassed reserve of Esplanade Park. This large park is the ideal spot for the kids to roam free, with swings, a play area and lots of shade provided by Norfolk Island pine trees. 

5pm: Experience the quintessential WA sunset like never before in Fremantle. With an abundance of rooftop bars, beachfront venues, and waterside spots, Fremantle offers the ultimate setting for a mesmerizing evening of dinner and drinks with a view. Our pick? The National Hotel’s rooftop bar. Perched high above the rooftops of Fremantle, it boasts jaw-dropping 360-degree views that showcase the golden hues of the sunset in all their glory. Get your camera ready and prepare to be enchanted as you soak up the breathtaking vistas from this picture-perfect vantage point.

Image: Hidden Treasures. Photo credit: Tashi Hall

When it comes to events, Fremantle is the place to be this winter. From live music in local venues to the wonderful Hidden Treasures Winter Music Festival that is part of 10 Nights in Port. To see what’s coming up in Fremantle, visit WHAT'S ON. 

Article published by Destination Perth, June 2023