Fremantle, Western Australia

Fremantle, or Freo as it is locally called, is Perth City's hot intelligent sister. Perth being the ugly, boring, vacant sister that should be avoided. So many people I know visit Western Australia and stay in Perth, then come back with stories about expensive bad food, crap overpriced outdated hotels, no nightlife and having nothing to do. There is one simple solution: don't go there, go to Fremantle instead.

Fremantle is about 30 mins from Perth City, and you feel immediately better once you are there. It is a Port city, and has managed to preserve many beautiful old heritage buildings giving the place a sense of history, attractive streets and actual tourism sites.

Freo has always been the hippy epicentre in Perth, and just like it works in Margaret River and works in Byron Bay - it works for Freo. There are the Markets which have been there since 1897 and have evolved to not just sell produce but now all the market staples - kites, reflexology, hemp pants etc. Towards the waterfront there is the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre and usually a collection of bohemian types hanging out in the surrounding parklands. Their influence reaches all parts of Freo, from the E-Shed Markets to the laneway with Fairy Shops.

Beautiful old sandstone buildings.

Fremantle Port Authority building.

Bon Scott statue.

After you have stocked up on fairy dust, puppets and $20 sunnies it is time to take in the history. The Fremantle Maritime Museum is excellent, as is the Fremantle Prison. We opted for the Prison night-time ghost tours which was definitely more atmospheric than the day tours.. There are also the underground tunnel tours available - maybe next time!

Fremantle Prison at night.

Checking out the Fremantle Prison cells.

Food wise, head straight to the Fishing Boat Harbour and eat at one of the restaurants there. Our favourite was Kailis Bros, just a cafe and seafood market but the best fish & chips and battered prawns ever. I dream about those prawns!

Kailis in Fremantle - best fish & chips ever.

Ciccerellos at Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle.

When you feel like a few drinks or a snack, on the other side of Fishing Boat Harbour is the original Little Creatures Brewery. Housed inside an old shed, the brewery has a large hall open to the public which is always busy with people sampling the beers and eating pizzas.

For a short day trip from Fremantle, Rottnest Island is a 25 minute ferry ride away. Rottnest is steeped in history, initially inhabited by Aboriginies, then becoming a prison, housing reformatories and a prisoner of war camp. While there you can tour Army barracks, the Reformatory, POW camp, the Lighthouse and Oliver Hill Battery. The main town settlement is also made up mostly of limestone cottages and historical buildings.

Quokka - native to Rottnest Island.

Wadjemup Lighthouse, Rottnest Island.

View from on top of the lighthouse.

Little Salmon Bay, Rottnest Island.

The Basin, unfortunately not the best weather, usually this beach is stunning.

The Basin, Rottnest Island.

Back at Fremantle, there isn't too much available for accomodation. However we stayed at the Quest Apartments which were located on Fishing Boat Harbour and well appointed. Easy enough to stroll to Kailis and get some take away fish and chips to eat on the balcony :).

View from Quest Apartments.

The Mussel Bar at Fishing Boat Harbour - we actually saw a dolphin playing around in that water!

Hotel: Quest Harbour Village Fremantle
Rottnest Island Website: Rottnest Island
Fremantle Prison Website: Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour: Fishing Boat Harbour
Little Creatures Website: Little Creatures