Cool stuff to do for free

Plan a day of free fun in Fremantle and save your dollars for gelati, a refreshing craft beer, or harbour-side fish and chips.

1. Beaches

Fremantle has an enviable five five eaches throughout the city! 

• Bather’s Beach is just a short stroll from Fremantle Town Hall. Take a dip, build a sandcastle or enjoy an icy-cold beer from the licensed area on the sand overlooking the water.
• South Beach is much-loved and easily accessible via the 532 bus or is approximately a 30 minute stroll. A popular swimming beach for families, with free barbecue facilities, plenty of shade and a large grassy expanse to kick a ball, play frisbee, or just doze on a picnic rug. 
• Leighton, Port and Sandtrax — Fremantle’s northern beaches — are great for swimming, snorkelling, wind and kitesurfing. Leighton Beach is just a short walk west from North Fremantle Train Station. 

2. Street art

Discover Fremantle's impressive collection of street art and murals — on the ground, at eye level, and towering overhead. How many can you find?

3. Round House

Located at the west end of High Street, Western Australia’s oldest public building — the Round House — opened in 1831 and was originally built as a jail for both colonial and Aboriginal prisoners. Explore the area for views over Bathers Bay, Fishing Boat Harbour and the length of High Street, West End.

4. WA Shipwrecks Museum

Dive into the fascinating history of Australia’s oldest shipwrecks. Housed in the Swan River Colony’s original Commissariat building, the WA Shipwrecks Museum is the foremost maritime archaeology museum in the southern hemisphere. It contains hundreds of relics from ships wrecked along Western Australia's treacherous coastline, including the original timbers from the Batavia (wrecked in 1629).

5. Fremantle Arts Centre

Fremantle Arts Centre is well-known as a live music venue on summer weekends. But did you know its hallowed halls are also home to a vibrant spectrum of creativity, seven days a week — and you can do plenty of it for free? Here are 7 reasons to visit Fremantle Arts Centre!

6. Fremantle Markets

Leisurely wander through the iconic Fremantle Markets and take in the sensory display of sights and smells. Lively street performers entertain the crowds outside the markets (opposite the Sail and Anchor) from noon on Saturday and Sunday.

7. Self-guided walking and cycling tours

Discover a different side of Fremantle with a walk through the city. The Fremantle Discovery Trail takes you past iconic highlights like the Fremantle Markets, the Cappuccino Strip, Fremantle Prison, the WA Maritime Museum, the heritage-listed West End and the Esplanade Reserve. Not to be missed, the trail takes around two hours but allow more time to stop at places along the way.

A Trek Through Time is a fantastic family-friendly trail that moves between the WA Shipwrecks and Maritime Museums. The trek passes historic landmarks including the Round House, Whaler’s Tunnel and Bather’s Beach.

Got two wheels and feeling active? The Fremantle Highlights Cycling Trail is a 7.5 km ride through the historic town and port city. Discover the rich history of Fremantle from convict and colonial heritage to arts, food, culture and one-of-a-kind harbour views. 

Find out more about the many different trails to explore on foot or by bike.

8. Photography

Whether you’re an amateur or professional, Fremantle is a photographer’s paradise. Capture street scenes, nature, iconic attractions, the colours of the Indian Ocean, heritage buildings, shop fronts, street art…the list is endless! Don’t forget to snap a selfie under Fremantle’s much-loved Rainbow. Affectionately nicknamed the Containbow, this colourful work of public art is one of Freo’s most photographed landmarks.

9. Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour

Breathe in the salty air while you meander along the boardwalks at Fishing Boat Harbour, taking in the visual feast of fishing boats and public artworks. Make sure you check out Cicerello’s fish tanks. They have collected over 400 species and 80,000 litres of water to house local marine animals in conditions as near to their natural environments as possible. It’s a magical experience for kids to get up close to sea life.

10. Parks and playgrounds

Explore over 100 playgrounds, parks and reserves — and they have some of Perth's most stunning views. Pack a picnic or make use of the numerous free barbecue facilities.

The Esplanade Youth Plaza and Reserve, set amongst the shade of majestic Norfolk Island Pines, has plenty of open space and grassed areas for relaxing, while keen skaters, scooters and bike riders will be kept occupied for hours at the world-class skate park. This urban oasis is also home to a large playground and the Tourist Wheel. Monument Hill, corner of High and Swanbourne Streets, has been used as a public reserve and viewing spot since the early 19th century. You’ll see why when you take the turn off High Street to reveal 360-degree views over Fremantle.

11. Fishing

Fremantle is renowned for its seafood, so why not drop a line while you’re here. Grab your fishing rod, some bait and try your luck catching fish, squid and even blue swimmer crabs. Head to South Mole, North Mole, the North Fremantle edge of the Swan River, or South Beach and settle in. You might even catch yourself some dinner!