The Prison played a pivotal role in the development of Western Australia and remains one of the State’s most important heritage landmarks. In 2010, Fremantle Prison became the first site in Western Australia to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property. The site is also recognised on the National Heritage List and the State Register of Heritage Places.
Operating as a maximum-security prison until 1991, Fremantle Prison housed generations of prisoners for almost 140 years. Its preserved cell blocks, solitary confinement cells, gallows and historic infrastructure provide a powerful and immersive insight into Australia’s convict and prison history.
Since opening to visitors in 1992, Fremantle Prison has become one of Western Australia’s most popular heritage attractions, welcoming thousands of visitors through its gates each year.
Entry to the Gatehouse Complex is free of charge and provides access to a range of heritage and visitor facilities, including the Convict Depot, Visitor Centre and Gift Shop. Visitors can discover the stories of convicts, prison staff and inmates through interpretive displays and heritage exhibits.
Beyond the iconic black Wray Gates, visitors can discover the rich history of Fremantle Prison through a range of guided tours led by knowledgeable guides who bring the stories of the site to life.
Tours
Choose from three popular day tours: Convict Prison Tour, Behind Bars Tour, and True Crime Tour . Each offers a unique insight into convict transportation, prison life, notorious inmates, daring escapes and the people who shaped the Prison's history, while exploring historic cell blocks and other significant areas of the site.
For adventure seekers, the iconic Tunnels Tour ventures deep beneath the Prison through a hidden labyrinth of tunnels and waterways. Combining heritage interpretation with a unique underground experience, this tour is not for the faint-hearted, and visitors should review the tour requirements before booking.
On Wednesday and Friday evenings, the popular Torchlight Tour reveals a darker side of the Prison's past, sharing fascinating stories of crime, punishment, mystery, and intrigue from its nearly 140 years as a working prison.
With a choice of fascinating tours there is something to suit every interest.
