South Fremantle
Uber cool small bars, stunning restaurants, epic bakeries, and some of the best alfresco coffee going. Embrace the slow life in this much-loved local hideaway just a short walk from vibey South Beach. THIS IS SOUTH FREMANTLE.
Visit South Fremantle for:
- South Beach
- Independent boutiques, furniture, and homewares
- Diverse dining (seafood, bratwurst, burgers, Mexican, Italian, Indian…)
- Neighbourhood pubs
Getting here:
- 5–10-minute bus from Fremantle Bus & Train Station. Take the 531 from the station or hop on anywhere along South Terrace. Deviates at Douro Road.
- Nearest car park: South Beach Recreation Reserve, Marine Terrace, and South Fremantle Shopping Centre
“Century-old Norfolk Island pines and Moreton Bay fig trees shade picnic-goers, swimmers stake out the best splash points on the pontoon, and pups bound up and down their own dedicated dog beach. South Beach is all the best things about an Aussie summer in one perfect seaside package.”
WHAT'S ON
EAT & DRINK
SEE & DO
SHOP
STAY
ITINERARIES
The West’s answer to Brighton, South Freo is famous for its quaint heritage-listed workers’ cottages, the seasonal installation of its summer pontoon, and the post-war migration from which its provedores and Pasticceria’s were born.
It’s along the ‘bidi’ or walking paths used by the Whadjuk Nyoongar people to take them in and out of Walyalup / Fremantle that South Fremantle emerged in the late 1800s during the gold rush era. Its large grassy areas, century old trees, and tranquil swimming beach made it an instant hit with early settlers and picnic-goers.
But it was years prior that the first official horse race was held in Western Australia at South Beach in 1833. Once one of WA’s top training centres, early risers can still see horses stepping their way up and down South Beach from the historic Randwick Stables on Rockingham Road.
In 1914 members of the 10th Light Horse Brigade camped along South Beach before departing from Fremantle as part of Australia’s first convoy to Egypt during World War 1.
Post-war, migration from Italy, Portugal, and the former Yugoslavia added another layer to the already popular neighbourhood’s architecture and character—one you can still see in its provedores, Pasticcerias, and gourmet supermarkets.
Nowadays an ever-growing collection of cafes, restaurants, small bars, artisan bakehouses, neighbourhood pubs, and independent retail stores line both sides of South Terrace from central Downtown all the way to South Beach, drawing a passionate crowd of locals and visitors looking to partake in its relaxed scenes.
Come summertime, beachgoers hail the arrival of the pontoon and on warm summer evenings, enjoy the sunset with the added silhouettes of fire twirlers and buskers playing in the twilight.
