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.

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

20 unforgettable things to do in Fremantle