20 Things To Do In Fremantle | Australian Traveller

The vibrant city of Fremantle is a truly unique WA destination, where cosmopolitan bars, world-class restaurants and charming cafes meet laid-back vibes and salty beach culture.

Add to that the colourful tapestry of colonial, convict and Indigenous history, heritage buildings, vibrant street art and the fact that Rottnest (and its famous quokkas) are only 25 minutes away,  and you’ve suddenly got a lot to choose from.

To help you map out an unforgettable Fremantle experience, here are 20 things to do in the preeminent port city.

1. See the Fremantle Markets

No trip to Fremantle would be complete without a visit to the iconic Fremantle Markets. The building originally functioned as a wholesale food market selling an eclectic mix of fresh produce, reflective of the many migrants who had moved to the port city.

a couple browsing through the fruit stalls at one of the Fremantle markets — Fill your basket with fresh local produce. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Today, you can soak up the market’s vibrant atmosphere with over 150 stalls, selling fresh produce, coffee, jewellery, homewares and clothes, as well as having a bustling food hall section where you can get breakfast or lunch.

a band performing in one of of the Fremantle markets — Stroll around the bustling Fremantle market scene. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

2. See the Fremantle Roundhouse

The Roundhouse is the oldest public building in WA. Opened in 1831, just 18 months after settlement, it was built to hold convicts. Today, the Round House is a tourist attraction that is free to enter for the public. Don’t miss the firing of the cannon at 1pm each day.

3. Sip sunset drinks at Bathers Beach

Bathers Beach is where the heritage of Fremantle meets the ocean, with the stretch of white sand just a sandy-footed stroll from some of the oldest public buildings in Western Australia.

a couple holding hands walking along the Bathers Beach at sunset — Go for a sunset stroll on the sandy Bathers Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

It also happened to become Australia’s first licensed beach in 2016 – meaning you can take a seat on one of the inviting sun loungers and order a drink right on the sand.

people relaxing on sunloungers with a drink in hand at Bathers Beach — Stay for a sundowner. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

4. Enjoy the sunset at Monument Hill

Monument Hill is home to the Fremantle War Monument, which commemorates World War I and II, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War. It’s surrounded by beautiful rose gardens and sprawling lush lawns, and offers (almost) 360-degree views of Fremantle and even out to the Perth CBD. It’s a beautiful spot for an evening picnic to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

5. Have Little Creatures experience

If you like your beer, then a tour of the iconic Little Creatures brewery is a must. You’ll learn about all things brewing, the legendary Little Creatures story, and what ingredients they use. You’ll also enjoy a tasting of all the Little Creatures beers and ciders.

a couple ordering tap beers at Little Creatures Brewery, Fremantle — Order beers on tap at Little Creatures Brewery. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Once you’re done, take advantage of the brewery’s free bike hire and explore Fremantle on two wheels. Bikes are available outside the main brewhouse.

the beer production room at Little Creatures Brewery, Fremantle — Tour the iconic Little Creatures Brewery. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Tours are every day at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm and Fridays at 6pm.

6. Freo Farmers Market

The Fremantle Farmers Market runs every Sunday morning from 8am – 12pm at Bruce Lee Reserve in neighbouring Beaconsfield. Expect stalls from local farmers, bakers, small producers and local artists; as well as live music, coffee stalls and activities for kids.

7. Go book-shopping

Fremantle is home to arguably some of Perth’s best bookstores. New Edition on High Street is a sophisticated store housed in a heritage building, The Chart & Map Shop has every travel book you could imagine, while Bill Campbell Books and Elizabeth’s both sell extensive ranges of second-hand books. And if you’ve got little ones, WA’s most magical children’s bookshop Paper Bird is tucked away in a delightful heritage building in the west end. It’s Perth’s only specialist children’s bookshop, and is a whimsical, imaginative space for little ones to explore.

8. Explore Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison was built as a convict barracks in the 1850s and remained in use until 1991. It’s the most intact convict establishment in the nation and the first building in WA to be included on the World Heritage list.

the facade of Fremantle Prison — Once a convict barracks in the 1850s, Fremantle Prison remained in use until 1991. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

When it was in use, Fremantle Prison was a place of hangings, dramatic convict escapes and prisoner riots – making for a fascinating history lesson for visitors.

guests going down the underground tunnels at Fremantle Prison — Venture down the underground tunnels at the Fremantle Prison. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

You can take part in several captivating tours led by experienced tour guides who bring the intriguing folklore of the prison to life.

a man on a boat tour under a tunnel at Fremantle Prison — Explore a labyrinth of tunnels on a boat tour. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

9. Explore the WA Maritime Museum

Perched right on the waterfront, the Museum houses several unique galleries that explore WA’s maritime history. Exhibits range from leisure boats and handcrafted sailing boats to commercial pearl luggers. For sporting fans, the Museum is also home to the winning America’s Cup yacht, Australia II.

10. Embrace the cappuccino strip

Thanks to the strong Italian influence brought to Fremantle by European migrants, the stretch of South Terrace between Bannister and Parry Streets is famously known as the ‘Cappuccino Strip’ – a busy cosmopolitan mix of cafes, restaurants and bars.

people dining al fresco at the Cappuccino strip in Fremantle — Nab a table in one of the alfresco eateries. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

It was the first place in the state to introduce alfresco dining back in the 1970s, which visitors can now enjoy by dining at one of the many eateries with tables and chairs spilling out into the street.

the Cappuccino strip in Fremantle — The Cappuccino strip is a busy mix of cafes, restaurants, and bars. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

11. Sample the state’s best conti rolls

Thanks (again) to the Italians, Fremantle is home to Perth’s best Italian delis and consequently, the best continental rolls. Galati & Son’s on Wray Avenue is a neighbourhood green grocer serving daily handmade continental rolls. Lo Presti & Sons in East Fremantle have been serving continental rolls since the ’60s, and South Freo Continental on South Terrace is an Italian gourmet grocer and café.

12. Go beach-hopping

When it comes to white sand and turquoise waters, Fremantle has arguably more choice than any other area in Perth. To the north, Leighton Beach and Port Beach are low-key, family-friendly stretches of sprawling sand.

an aerial view of people on Leighton Beach — Enjoy the sunshine and turquoise waters at Leighton Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@ospreycreative)

In the centre of Fremantle is the iconic Bathers Beach, a much smaller but still very appealing location. And the bustling South Beach is a huge expanse of white sand, with dog-friendly sections and ample foreshore grassland.

an aerial view of the Bathers Beach in Fremantle — Set foot on the iconic Bathers Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

13. Get fish and chips at Fishing Boat Harbour

Fishing Boat Harbour is a working harbour cushioned by restaurants boasting water views and seriously good fish and chips.

an aerial view of the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour — Take in scenic water views from the Fishing Boat Harbour. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Kailis is a stunning venue with a raw bar and BBQ fish counter; while Twin Fin offers a more casual, relaxed experience – or takeaway boxes enjoyed on the foreshore for sunset.

people dining at Kailis Fish Market, Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour — Enjoy fish and chips at Kailis Fish Market. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

14. Learn about distilling at the Republic of Fremantle

The Republic of Fremantle creates expertly crafted gin and vodka using WA ingredients, and they offer a range of tours, workshops and hands-on learning sessions for those keen on distilling. You can distil your own gin at Gin School, sip and learn at Cocktail School, take a guided tour of the distillery (with tastings) or book a gin or negroni tasting flight in their bar.

15. Visit Fremantle Arts Centre

Fremantle Arts Centre is a hub of creative and cultural activity, and a place for artists, musicians, writers, thinkers, and curators to share their art with the world. Check their website to see what exhibitions they have on at any given time. And during summer, they transform their lush outdoor courtyard into a live music venue, offering free Sunday music with food trucks and pop-up bars.

the exterior of the Fremantle Arts Centre — Check out cultural exhibitions at Fremantle Arts Centre.

16. Pop over to Rottnest Island

WA’s island paradise Rottnest is only a 25-minute ferry ride from Fremantle. Ferries depart from Northport at Rous Head in North Fremantle and B Shed at Victoria Quay in Fremantle.

a couple enjoying dinner at Rottnest Island — Enjoy dinner with a view at Rottnest Island. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Set sail in the morning, hire a bike to explore, enjoy a pub lunch with a view at Hotel Rottnest, and jump on the late afternoon ferry home.

a couple enjoying lunch on Rottnest Island — Unwind with a tipple or two. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

17. Take in a festival

Fremantle might well be the festival capital of the state, with its year-round program of music, theatre, visual art, food and cultural festivals. Annual highlights include the Fringe Festival in February, the Perth Festival in March, the Fremantle International Street Arts Festival over the Easter long weekend, 10 Nights in Port held each winter, the Blessing of the Fleet in October, Beerfest and Fremantle Running Festival in November, and the Fremantle Christmas festival in December.

18. Go touring

Fremantle is a colourful tapestry of colonial, convict, and Indigenous history, paired with heritage buildings, vibrant street art and hidden laneways (that likely were used for horse-and-cart.) As such, there are a lot of tours on offer.

two people posing for a picture in front of Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre — Pay a visit to the iconic Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Take a self-guided walking tour , book a food-lovers walking tour , take a rickshaw bar crawl or get in touch with the Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre to find out when their next cultural tour is.

arts and crafts at Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre — Immerse in Indigenous art and history at Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

19. See the famous rainbow shipping containers

At nine metres high, 19 meters long and 66 tonnes heavy, Fremantle’s much-loved Containbow is not your average public art piece. Renowned Perth artist Marcus Canning constructed the piece from nine recycled sea containers, acknowledging Fremantle’s artistic as well as maritime heritage. Perched high on the hill on Canning Highway, the artwork overlooks the Swan River and the port, welcoming visitors to Fremantle whether they’re arriving by train, car or boat.

20. Grab dinner at Sunshine Harvester Works

Nestled in the east end of Fremantle, Sunshine is a food hall with a difference. There’s a diverse collection of local food stalls serving everything from burgers and pizzas, to dumplings and Asian street food. There’s even a craft brewery and distillery.

Stay the night in one of Fremantle’s best hotels.

WA might be enormous, but the right insider knowledge brings its mysteries a whole lot closer.

“Western Australia is a land of record-breakers,” says Carolyn Tipper, a Travel Director working on AAT Kings Western Australia tours. “It has the second-longest fault line, the second-largest meteorite crater, the second-fastest flowing river—it just keeps surprising you. And every area has its charm.”

From tropics to deserts, Australia’s largest state is a land of extremes. You can’t see all of Western Australia in a lifetime, but with the right guide, you can discover its hidden pockets of magic.

Carolyn wishes to reach her guests’ hearts. “I want them to enjoy and be in awe,” she says. “I want them to have the holiday of a lifetime.”

1. Mimbi Caves

You wouldn’t expect a Great Barrier Reef in the outback – but that’s what you’ll find at Mimbi Caves. Once part of a 350-million-year-old reef, these caves hold marine fossils, ancient Indigenous rock art, and Dreamtime stories shared by a Gooniyandi guide.

“That’s when the real connection happens,” says Carolyn, who has taken guests through on the AAT Kings Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour . “When guests connect, not just with the land, but with the people who have called it home for tens of thousands of years.”

Eye-level view of traveller exploring Mimbi Caves. — Walk through ancient limestone passages. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

2. Kalbarri National Park

Nothing prepares you for the Kalbarri Skywalk: a 25-metre platform jutting over Murchison Gorge, 100 metres above the red cliffs and river below. From July to October, join the AAT Kings Untamed Pilbara and West Coast tour to see over 1000 wildflower species paint the park, and listen as an Indigenous guide shares their uses, bush foods and medicine plants.

“I want our guests to have an emotional experience,” says Carolyn. “It’s not just about seeing the land, it’s about stepping into the stories.”

An aerial view of the Kalbarri Skywalk, one of the secret places in Western Australia, with visitors on the edge. — Stand on the Kalbarri Skywalk in Western Australia. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

3. Hamelin Bay Wines

Margaret River isn’t just a top wine region – it’s a winner in every category. Where the Indian and Southern Oceans collide, granite cliffs rise, limestone caves sprawl and Karri forests tower. It almost distracts from the world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Almost.

Out of over 100 cellar doors, AAT Kings pick Hamelin Bay Wines as a favourite. Hosted tastings of small-batch wines on the Western Wonderland tour end with a group meal. The menu shifting with the seasons.

“Get off the beaten track to one of WA’s most relaxed venues for some amazing red and white signature wines,” explains Carolyn, “accompanied with upmarket pub food.”

Spectacular views.

A person raising a glass of Chardonnay against a glowing Western Australia sunset. — Sip world-class wines at Hamelin Bay in Western Australia. (Image: Getty)

4. Wildflower Guided Walk, Kings Park

Western Australia is home to 12,000 native plant species – 3000 bloom in Kings Park’s Botanic Garden. Stroll past Kangaroo Paw, Banksia and blooms from the Goldfields, Stirling Ranges and Kimberley. “The diversity of Western Australia is immense,” says Carolyn, who leads guests through on the South Western Escape tour .

Couple enjoying the view from the Lotterywest Federation walkway at Kings Park and Botanical Garden. — Wander among thousands of native plant species. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

5. Hoochery Distillery

Did you know that between Kununurra and Emma Gorge lies the state’s oldest continuously operating distillery? Well, the oldest legal one. Set on a family farm, Hoochery Distillery was hand-built using materials found on the property, conjuring up award-winning rum from local sugarcane, wet season rainwater and yeast.

Today, visitors can sample a hearty nip of rum, along with whiskies and gins – all crafted using traditional, labour-intensive methods. It’s the ideal way to soak up the ‘spirit’ of the Kimberley on the AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour .

People enjoying a rum tasting at one of the secret places in Western Australia. — Sample award-winning rum. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

6. Geraldton

The wildflowers of the Midwest will make your heart blossom. In Geraldton, the Helen Ansell Art Gallery brings the region’s botanicals to life in vivid colour and intricate detail. In nearby Mullewa, wander bushland trails lined with everlastings and native blooms. Further afield, Coalseam Conservation Park bursts into carpets of pink, white, and yellow each spring. Do it all on the Wildflower Wanderer tour with AAT Kings.

woman walking through Wildflowers, Coalseam Conservation Park — Chase vibrant wildflower trails. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

7. El Questro

Wake up after a night under the stars at Emma Gorge Resort, ready to explore the mighty beauty of the El Questro Wilderness Park. With deep gorges, thermal springs, and cascading waterfalls, time slows here.

Join the AAT Kings’ Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour to drift through Chamberlain Gorge, where sheer sandstone walls glow burnt orange in the sun, archer fish flick at the surface, and rock wallabies peer down from ledges above. Then, step into Zebedee Springs, a secret oasis of warm, crystal-clear pools among prehistoric Livistona palms – a moment of pure, wild stillness.

Emma Gorge Resort at El Questro. — Wake to adventure at Emma Gorge Resort. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

8. Lake Argyle

Once vast cattle country, Lake Argyle now sprawls like an inland sea – Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake, created by the damming of the Ord River. Scattered with over 70 islands, its glassy waters teem with life, like freshwater crocodiles, barramundi, bony bream, sleepy cod and over 240 bird species. That’s nearly a third of Australia’s avian population.

Glide across the lake’s surface on a cruise as part of AAT Kings’ Untamed Kimberley tour , where the silence is only broken by the splash of fish and the call of birds. For Carolyn, this place is a perfect example of how WA’s landscapes surprise visitors. “Lake Argyle is a big puddle of water that became a game-changer,” she says. “Seeing it from a boat, coach, and plane is mind-blowing. It puts time, isolation and the sheer scale into perspective.”

Aerial View of Triple J Tours on the Ord River, near Kununurra. — Glide past islands on Western Australia’s largest freshwater lake. (Image: Western Australia)

Discover more of Western Australia’s hidden gems and book your tour at aatkings.com.

20 unforgettable things to do in Fremantle