Perth Itinerary Day 3: Day Trip to Fremantle

By Rubbish Eat Rubbish Grow on April 27, 2014 • ( 8 Comments )

Also see:
Perth Travel Info: Before Getting to Perth
Getting Around Perth and Where to Stay in Perth.
Perth Itinerary Day 1: Perth City
Perth Itinerary Day 2: Rottnest Island
Suggested Day Trips from Perth City
If you’ve 1 more day, visit Perth Itinerary Day 4: Swan Valley.
If you have 2 days, visit Perth Itinerary Days 4 & 5: Margaret River

Perth Itinerary Day 3: Day Trip to Fremantle

Download and print the free CAT buses map in Fremantle on A3 paper, which can be used as a Fremantle map too.

Everybody goes to Fremantle on a Sunday, says my hotel concierge. You can take a train from Perth to Fremantle line, which takes about 40 minutes. Or you can take an hour long cruise down Swan River by Captain Cook (A$27 adult, 9.45am, 11.30pm, 2.15pm). To take the cruise, go to Barracks Jetty, where you will see Perth’s #1 tourist attraction, Swan Bells (also known as Swan Bell Tower), touted to be best full ring of bells in the world, including 12 bells from 14th century England. The only royal bells to have left England.

When you reach Fremantle, go for brunch at one of the many cafes. We took the free CAT Blue line at Phillimore St, bus stop 18, which loops, and stopped at stop 7, Gold St, to brunch at a funky and very popular cafe, Ootong & Lincoln (258 South Terrace, South Fremantle; +61 8 9335 6109; 6.30am-5pm daily). They use fresh local organic produce, and even make their own jams. The food was not bad, comparable to Singapore’s top cafes. But there wasn’t variety: each brunch dish consists variations of similar things. And it was costly: we spent A$104 for four persons. Ouch. But definitely order the savory waffles (pictured below), quite delicious. We also tried a flourless, eggless, gluten-free zucchini cake–Chiobu liked it.

After brunch, return to CAT blue line bus stop 18 at Phillimore St and visit the Western Australian Maritime Museum (Victoria Quay, Freemantle, WA 6160; +61 8 9431 8334; 9.30am-5pm).

After the museum, take the CAT blue line to bus stop 3 for the Freemantle Markets (F 8am-8pm, Sat & Sun: 8am-5pm) since 1897. It’s similar to a farmer’s market, with local produce and artisan handicrafts. Chiobu was bored of it very quickly, but I loved the vibe. If you’re hungry, lunch or snack here.

This is my stall!

Beside the markets, there were a few buskers:

From the markets, walk 300m to Fremantle Prison. This is a must-visit. I had a lot of fun pretending to be a prisoner. Walk east down Henderson Street Mall, between the Sail and Anchor Hotel and the Fremantle Markets. At the end of the mall turn slightly to your right, cross Parry Street and continue up Fairbairn Ramp to the Prison’s Gatehouse. This prison is built in 1859 for UK to dump its convicts in Australia. Guided tours only, last tour at 4.45pm. According to my guide, you should be very proud if you find a convict here as your ancestor. #prisonpride #delusional haha.

Fremantle Prison

Inside the prison

If you have time, return to the area outside Fremantle Markets and explore the vicinity. For dinner, walk to Fishing Boat Harbour (pictured above) and dine by the harbour. I highly recommend Little Creatures Brewery (40 Mews Rd, Fremantle; +61 8 9430 5555; M-F 10am-late, Sat 9am-late, Sun 9am-11pm). They brew all their own beers, and runs tours at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm daily. The space is like an underground warehouse where people gather to watch illegal fights. Very cool. The service was the BEST we had in Perth. Food was ok, the pizza crust was divine. We spent A$86 for four. Some photos of Little Creatures and the food: