100 Things To Do You’ve Never Heard Of #025 Paddle under a convict prison

The Fremantle Prison Tunnel Tours are the latest in “soft” adventure. Donning overalls, hardhat, boots and a miners’ lamp, the 2.5hr tour is an enthralling experience.

Just like Venice . . . but underground! Well, almost. The Fremantle Prison Tunnel Tours are the latest in “soft” adventure. Donning overalls, hardhat, boots and a miners’ lamp, the 2.5hr tour is an enthralling experience. The first hour is spent on the history of the prison, the tunnels important early function as the key water supply for the parched community and a safety briefing and alcohol breath test.

The first step into the chambers (from which you’ll descend 20m underground) is just a grill over one of the original wells – just don’t look down. The first 20min underground are spent walking stooped around the tunnels until you arrive at the waterways. Then, in pairs, you hop into punts for 30min of navigating the water tunnels. Fossil shells, tree roots and convict inscriptions are just part of the fascinating journey on this underground mini-trek.
WHERE // Fremantle Prison Tours, Fremantle Prison, The Terrace, Fremantle, WA.

DID YOU KNOW? // Fremantle was a settled by free men and women and only became a penal colony when they needed labour to expand the community’s infrastructure.