If you have not been to Fremantle then you are in for a treat. The coastal city is nestled between the Indian Ocean and the dry plains of the Great Outback. Fremantle has been gaining accolades recently, with tourists (both local and foreign) flocking in. See why many people have found this Western Australian city charming.
1. Lively Nightlife
For some time now, Fremantle (or Freo to locals) has long been keeping the night life alive with bustling bars, breweries, and restaurants. Enjoy a craft beer made locally in Western Australia, eat at the Fish Boat Harbour and other drinking places like The Monk Brewery and Kitchen, Sail & Anchor and Little Creatures Brewery.
Combining the old and the new is Freo’s take on trying to stay relevant. Local heritage site The Newport Hotel welcomes visitors, old and not-so-young, to stop by for a drink that is definitely a bang for your buck. If you’d like to hop from one bar to another and enjoy mixes of creative and talented DJs, the Metropolis Concert Club is the place to be at Freo.
A cozy little bar called The Left Bank has been serving out-of-this-world cocktails along with live music to keep you and your friends entertained the whole night.
2. The Cappuccino Strip
Australia is known for its varied climates. The hot summer days and nights are perfect excuses to dine al fresco at many of the city’s restaurants.
If your weekend plans include enjoying a meal in the warm sea breeze, then head on over to the Cappuccino Strip where you will find rows of restaurants that offer dining al fresco. There are craft breweries and shops to check out too. Neighboring the Cappuccino Strip is the Fremantle Markets which is open three to four days a week.
Make sure to visit the Cappuccino Strip early in the day to be able to enjoy the fares and coffee they offer. As the day passes on, cafes will close and hotels and clubs will open their doors to the public for a musical display of cabaret performances and gutsy open-mic nights.
3. A City of Festive Activities
Fremantle continues to reinvent itself to be able to keep up with the masses by offering many activities. It is turning itself into a hotspot for performing and creative arts, while taking pride in launching homegrown talents like John Butler whose humble beginnings started as a street busker.
Street performers and buskers are still pretty common in Fremantle; who wouldn't want to enjoy a song or two for free? But the city has now been showcasing talents through concerts and festival programs that run throughout the year. This is just another reason to visit Fremantle -- you get a glimpse of unknown talented artists.
The most popular events are Fremantle Street Arts Festival (Easter weekend), Fremantle Heritage Festival, Hidden Treasures, and Fremantle Festival.
4. Admiring the West Coast
While most people veer towards visiting the opposite side of Australia, the West Coast is not without its awesome views. A port for Perth, Fremantle is also quite close to Rottnest Island which is a ferry ride away. Rottnest Island is known for being home to the quokka, a cute small animal. The island manages to also be home to some pretty impressive beaches, bays, and a few cafes.
Fishing Boat Harbour in the mainland provides visitors with options to do eco adventures, snorkelling, and even enjoy a glass or two of bubbly champagne. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of whales. For the more adventurous visitor, jet boating might be on your things-to-do list in Fremantle.
5. Historical Site
Fremantle has seen its fair share of Australian history. It was colonised in 1829 and with 190 years of history under its belt, Fremantle has a few historical sites you might want to visit. The Round House is the oldest public building in Western Australia. From 1831 to 1886, it served as a goal for criminals.
Fremantle seems to have a long standing relationship with all things criminal as it is also home to the Fremantle Prison, the largest prison in Australia. The Fremantle Prison is the only Heritage site building in the city. While there are a few tours to choose from, the prison is best enjoyed at night with a guide for a fun and different take on the building.
Since it is a port city, Fremantle also has a maritime museum called the Western Australian Maritime Museum. Learn more about Australia’s maritime history here. There are many galleries to admire, including ones that boats and pearl luggers, as well as the winner of the America Cup, the yacht Australia II. See how Fremantle has long held the ocean with high regards when you visit the museum.
As you make a trip Down Under, it is easy to simply book a flight to Sydney and Melbourne, two Australian cities that have been popular tourist spots throughout the years. But before you make your plans final, consider visiting Western Australia and make Fremantle your destination. Its charm and old-world feel will make you fall in love with it, enticing you to book another visit as soon as you make your departure.