Fremantle Day Trip | Snapshot of the Port City

Fremantle is one of Australia’s largest heritage-listed precincts — the maritime city is a technicolour fusion of rich history, culture, and boast-worthy food, where the Swan River and Indian Ocean collide.

It’s a destination where award-winning eats and drinks are the norm, served with a side of old-world charm and soul. 

Here’s how to spend the ultimate day trip in Fremantle.

Sundays are made for arts, culture, and foodie adventures in the rich historical mecca that is Fremantle. From century-old markets and museums to tours galore, the options are endless. And it’s safe to say you’ll be coming back to try them all.

10 am: Embark on a unique cultural walking tour

Credit: Tourism Western Australia

To kick off the perfect Fremantle itinerary, start the day right with an In Culture Tours adventure through Walyalup/Fremantle. Step back in time through history and culture with your passionate Whadjuk guide. You’ll visit many of Fremantle’s most well-known attractions, including Bathers Beach, The Round House, Whalers Tunnel, and Derbarl Yerrigan/Swan River. Before finishing up at the wildly popular Gage Roads brewery, right in time for a scrumptious midday feed.

11.30 am: Lunch with a view

Credit: Gage Roads

Park up at Fremantle hard-hitter Gage Roads for lunch in the form of pizza, beers, and passing cargo ships! Named after the strip of ocean that separates Rottnest and Fremantle, Gage Roads brews a range of craft beer and cider. Inspired by the coastal Australian lifestyle, the local watering hole is a favourite for residents and blow-ins alike. If you need further convincing, it’s consistently packed out on balmy summer days.

1 pm: Explore Fremantle’s maritime history

Credit: WA Maritime Museum

Discover the state’s rich maritime history with a visit to the WA Maritime Museum. Perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean, the museum offers an insight into Fremantle’s past, present, and future as a coastal city and port. Expect significant objects and vessels that highlight the state’s sporting, sailing, and adventure heritage, including the America’s Cup winning yacht, Australia II, and Jon Sanders’ Parry Endeavour.

2 pm: Stop for a photo at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour

Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Set between Esplanade Park and the sandy shores of Bathers Beach, Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour is the perfect place to stop for a snap. Here, you’ll find the “Love Freo” sign and the iconic blue fishing boats beyond. You’ll also come across Fremantle’s most renowned sculpture of AC/DC singer Bon Scott strutting on a Marshall amplifier.

2.30 pm: Admire heritage architecture in Fremantle’s West End

Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Fremantle is the world’s best-preserved example of a 19th-century port streetscape. The maritime city also boasts Western Australia’s largest collection of heritage-listed buildings. Take a stroll around Fremantle’s West End and the historic High Street, and stop to admire the charming architecture. If you’re in the mood for retail therapy, you’re sure to find something you love, be it vintage, surf wear or art.

3 pm: Meander through century-old markets

Credit: Fremantle Markets

Immerse yourself in more than one hundred years of vibrant culture and heritage with a wander through the illustrious Fremantle Markets. The 1897 Victorian-style establishment is a favourite attraction for passers-by and locals alike. It’s also one of only two surviving market buildings in WA, and one of few throughout Australia that continues to be used for its original purpose. Wander through the stalls packed with all things handcrafted, vintage, health and wellness, fashion, jewellery, and homewares. While you’re at it, check out the fresh local produce, oh so flavoursome street food, and moreish international flavours.

4 pm: Visit Fremantle Prison for a tour

Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Sail down to the largest convict-built structure in Western Australia, the infamous Fremantle Prison. The structure was used as a place of incarceration for almost 140 years, with death row, solitary cells, and gallows. It was also the state’s first building to be included on the World Heritage list. Take a tour and discover the prison’s history from its construction in the 1850s until the end of the convict era.

Then, visit the nearby sculptures of a group of convicts and pensioner guards aboard convict ships on their arrival to Fremantle. You’ll find it facing west and heading down the Fairbairn Street ramp. Plus, take a look at Robert Hitchcock’s sculpture ‘The Mark’ at the Parry Street roundabout. The Fremantle icon recognises one of the most famous high-flying leaps made by John Gerovich in the 1956 WA National Football League Preliminary Final.

5.30 pm: Sunset cocktails at Mr Chapple

Credit: Mr Chapple

For killer sunset views and even better cocktails, swing into Mr Chapple at The Old Synagogue to salute a day well spent. Housed within the 1924 Beers Building in the city’s heart, the crafty bar boasts delicious bites, and a rooftop terrace overlooking the celebrated cappuccino strip.

9 pm: Stay the night

Credit: Tradewinds Hotel

Fremantle is a fabulous destination for a convenient weekend getaway or extended staycation, so why not stay the night? With so many unique, boutique, and out-of-the-ordinary accommodation options to choose from, deciding is the hardest part.

This article was written in partnership with So Perth and THIS IS FREMANTLE | City of Fremantle and originally published by So Perth April 2024.

Featured image: The National Hotel via Facebook