8 Bustling Fremantle Pubs And Breweries

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.

The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead. — Dine in the heart of nature.

Your guide to Lake Argyle

The backstory

With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation. — Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

The rooms

A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

The facilities

There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks. — Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

Your guide to El Questro

The backstory

One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity. — Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

The rooms

Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below. — Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

The facilities

Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty. — Experience thrilling nature activities.

Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.

9 bustling breweries and pubs in Fremantle

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

1. Little Creatures

2. Calamity’s Rod

3. Union Brewery and Distillery

4. The National

5. The Local

6. The Old Courthouse

7. Beerpourium

8. The Left Bank

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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

Your guide to Lake Argyle

The backstory

The rooms

The facilities

Your guide to El Questro

The backstory

The rooms

The facilities