9 bustling breweries and pubs in Fremantle

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We delve into the top pubs and breweries in the port city of Fremantle.

As the home of the iconic Little Creatures Brewery, Fremantle means business when it comes to beer brewing. So, as you would expect, the town has plenty of great breweries and pubs to choose from. Whether you’re a craft connoisseur after a classic tasting experience or simply want to enjoy a drink in an ambient venue at the end of the day, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Here are eight of the best breweries and pubs to try in Fremantle.

1. Little Creatures

huge pumps of beer inside the brewery of Little Creatures, Frematle
Little Creatures is an iconic Fremantle brewery. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

An iconic venue for WA, Little Creatures Fremantle is where it all started for this legendary brewery. The Fremantle location welcomes visitors from far and wide every day. Grab a pale ale and a pizza and soak in the brewery ambience, or wander into the oceanfront backyard to enjoy your beer and nosh in the sunshine. The beer comes direct from serving tanks pumped straight from the brewery, so it doesn’t get any fresher.

Address: 40 Mews Road, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am – 11pm; Sun 11am – 10pm.

2. Calamity’s Rod

guests enjoying a drink at the courtyard of Calamity's Rod brewery in Fremantle
Calamity’s Rod is a dedicated craft nano-brewery out of shipping containers.

In the heart of Fremantle, the people behind the Hougoumont Hotel (one of Fremantle’s best hotels) took a bit of their car park and built a dedicated craft nano-brewery out of shipping containers. But don’t worry, it’s not restricted to hotel guests only – Calamity’s is open to the public .

They produce a small range of high-quality beers from classics to new-wave brews and have a constantly evolving extra list of ‘experimental’ beers.

On Fridays, guests can meet the owners-slash-brewers – twin brother duo Dan and Geoff – to tour the brewery and go deep into the chemistry of their boutique beer operation. And on Saturdays, they pop a DJ into their courtyard to provide jukebox jams while you enjoy your ice-cold drink.

Address: 15 Bannister Street, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Wed, Thurs and Sun 4pm – 9pm; Fri and Sat 4pm – 11pm.

3. Union Brewery and Distillery

Union Brewery and Distillery is located within the uber-hip Sunshine Harvester Works food hall. Enjoy a drink from their rotating roster of handcrafted beers – they have 12 taps in total – or a spirit like their Bellwether Whisky, Beacon Gin and Union Limoncello. Pair it with some of the local vendors’ burgers, dumplings, pizza, gelato or Asian street food.

Address: 7 Phillimore Street, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Wed and Thurs 5pm – 10pm; Fri and Sat 5pm – 10.30pm; Sun 5pm – 8pm.

4. The National

the rooftop bar with fairy lights in The National Hotel, Fremantle at sunset
Have sunset drinks on the rooftop.

The beautifully restored National Hotel is a pub and one of the best hotels set in the heart of Fremantle. Its ground floor is a beautifully restored heritage venue with live music, a wide selection of drinks and a relaxed alfresco area that spills onto the historic cafe strip.

Meanwhile, the rooftop garden offers sprawling 360 views to Rottnest and over the port – a great spot for an evening sunset drink.

Address: 98 High St, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11am – 11.45pm; Thurs-Sat 11am – 1am; Sun 7.30am – 11.45am.

5. The Local

the front signage of The Local Hotel, Fremantle
The Local Hotel is just minutes away from South Beach.

Located a short walk from South Beach, The Local is quite literally a pub for everyone, boasting three different ‘mini bars’ with different atmospheres. Grab a pint in the front bar or alfresco tables, a Yamazaki on ice in the Whiskey Bar or a glass of wine in the Garage Bar (which has a kid’s corner to keep the little ones entertained).

Address: 282 South Terrace, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11am – 10.30pm; Fri 11am – 12am; Sat 9am – 12am; Sun 9am – 10pm.

6. The Old Courthouse

Outside area at the Old Courthouse in fremantle
Every man and his dog will have fun at this welcoming pub.

Kids and dogs will have as much fun as the grown-ups (and humans) at this welcoming pub.

The Old Courthouse  has sprawling grass to run around on, toys and a sandpit, and little family members will be entertained while adults enjoy a local beer or wine listening to live music.

Hot tip: their happy hour runs from 5 – 6pm Monday to Friday and features $6 pints and wines.

Address: 45 Henderson Street, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Tues and Wed 12pm – 10pm; Thurs – Sun 12pm – 12am.

7. Beerpourium

shared plates of food on the table at Beerpourium, Fremantle
Pair your beer with classic pub meals.

If you’re serious about beer, you have to visit Fremantle’s Beerpourium . Located in the heart of Fremantle on the famous cappuccino strip, this pub showcases the ever-evolving variety and quality of Australian craft beer.

It has a constantly rotating roster of beer taps to bring visitors the latest and freshest beers on the market. Plus, they have a woodfired food menu featuring classics like pizzas and parmis, as well as less-common things like lamb gozleme and woodfire-baked Brie with chilli jam.

Address: 13 South Terrace, Fremantle.
Opening hours: Thurs 4pm – 12am; Fri and Sat 11am – 12am; Sun 11am – 9pm.

8. The Left Bank

the al fresco dining scene in the courtyard of The Left Bank, Fremantle
Soak up laid-back vibes in the open courtyard. (Image: The Left Bank)

The Left Bank – or The Lefty, as it is affectionately referred to by locals – is a Fremantle institution. The riverside location, the open courtyard overlooking the water and the laid-back vibes make it the perfect place to unwind with a beer, wine or cocktail.

It’s especially enjoyable come 4pm when the courtyard becomes drenched in the afternoon setting sun. They often have live music in the garden, and parts of the venue are also dog-friendly.

Address: 15 Riverside Road, East Fremantle.
Opening hours: Mon – Thurs and Sun 11am – 11pm; Fri and Sat 11am – 11.30pm.

Kirsty Petrides
Kirsty Petrides is a writer, wine-lover and cheese enthusiast. Whether she’s hunting down the best restaurant in Albania, foraging the Marrakech markets for spices or camping in the middle of Patagonian wilderness, she loves to seek out the authentic side of the places she visits, and share that with readers through her writing.
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7 Kimberley experiences that need to be on your bucket list

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck
Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

​​Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise
Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise
Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise.
Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift,  the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide.
Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel,  turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef
Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion
See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys
Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com