Family Holiday by the sea (3 Days)

Make family memories by the seaside in historic Fremantle / Walyalup. Here's how to spend 3 days exploring Perth's port city with your crew.

DAY 1

10 am: Start exploring Perth's port city

Drop your bags at your hotel and get straight into exploring. You'll have plenty of space for the whole family in one of Fremantle's self-contained apartments. Choose Be.Fremantle* if you want to be close to action in the Downtown area, with ocean and harbour views from every apartment.

12 noon: Seafood lunch at Fishing Boat Harbour

Fishing Boat Harbour is the perfect place to kick off your family holiday by the sea! Discover why this place has been a hit with families for generations when you enjoy lunch at one of the seafood restaurants lining the boardwalk. Cicerello’s giant fish tanks will be a hit with the kids, and if you've got thrill seekers in your crew they'll love a ride on Cicerello's Jet Adventures.

2 pm: Run off lunch at the Esplanade Reserve playground

Look both ways before you cross the railway line — you might see a freight train chugging through the city. The drivers always wave to kids! On the western side of the railway line is Bathers Beach, Freo’s inner city and best kept secret beach.

3 pm: Take a selfie with iconic 'Bella’

Find 'Bella' basking in the sun at the southern side of Bathers Beach House. Manjaree is the name that the Whadjuk (local indigenous people) gave to this area — you'll find the first signpost for the Manjaree Trail on the beach side of Kidogo Arthouse. Start heading back to the hotel for a refresh before dinner.

6 pm: Dinner at a classic family-friendly Italian

Head to Fremantle's famous Cappuccino Strip and wander along the street that kicked off Western Australia's love of al fresco dining and cafe culture. As you wander the strip, notice how the port city's Italian influences are evident in its line-up of eateries — Sandrino’s, La Sosta, Pizza Bella Roma, Benny’s and the Capri are just a few local family favourites.

DAY 2

9 am: Breakfast and a coffee

Explore your options — you'll be spoilt for choice! The Bistro Cafe, Good Things and Hush are all good options to get you ready with a coffee and a menu. Then cross Marine Terrace and look down to spot the old shoreline trail at the corner of Collie Street — it’s Fremantle’s original shoreline. Can you believe the entire park land behind you sits on reclaimed land?

11 am: Hire a bike at Fremantle Visitor Centre

Walyalup Koort — Fremantle's civic heart — is a place for people to come together. Chat with the Fremantle Visitor Centre's friendly volunteers to find out what's new in Freo, then hire your bike, pick up a map and cycling trail, and head off on your two-wheeled adventure.

12 pm: Lunch at FOMO

FOMO's hawker style markets are a great place to fuel up before your ride. 

1.30 pm: Browse art exhibitions in gothic surrounds

Cycle 5 minutes to reach the four-acre Fremantle Arts Centre site and its impressive gothic heritage building. Park up your bike while you explore the galleries. Choose a souvenir from the locally made and designed wares at FOUND, the centre's unique gift shop. The kids will love playing in the beautiful gardens.

4 pm: Dolphin-spotting at Fremantle Harbour

Meander back through Fremantle’s East End and onto the Waterfront neighbourhood. Make a stop at WA Shipwreck Museum, the foremost maritime archaeology museum in the southern hemisphere, on your way back to the hotel. Entry is by gold coin donation. You have to see the Batavia Shipwreck!

5.30 pm: Seafood, ship-spotting and sunsets

Treat yourself to a seafood feast and a cold drink at Gage Roads. It's perfectly set up for watching the iconic (huge!) container ships go by while the kids play in the epic playground. Settle in and get ready to experience one of Perth's best sunsets over the water.

DAY 3

10 am: Explore some more!

Leave your bags at the hotel when you check out so you’re free to explore Freo for the day. Make a stop at WA’s oldest building — the Round House, perched high on the limestone cliffs. It's the perfect spot to take in views over the West End and out to Rottnest Island / Wadjemup. Wander down to Victoria Quay and look for the statue of the famous engineer CY O’Connor near the Fremantle Port Authority building. If the STS Leeuwin II is in port, you can turn left along the quay and stop for a look.

AFTERNOON

You could spend a full afternoon exploring WA Maritime Museum. This waterfront museum houses unique galleries and many iconic vessels from WA’s maritime history, including Australia II (the winning America’s Cup yacht), an Oberon class submarine–HMAS Ovens and Jon Sanders’ Parry Endeavour.

*Reservations may be required at hospitality venues and entry fees apply at attractions.