The port city of Fremantle, Western Australia sits on the Swan River and was founded in 1829 by local colonists. It's approximately twelve miles south of the state capital of Perth and is home to many historical buildings, museums, art galleries and restaurants. Fremantle was named after an English naval officer, Captain Charles Fremantle, who claimed ownership upon establishing the first colonist campsite. Our Fremantle Travel Guide offers additional tourist information on the city including activities, dining and more.

Dining

Since Fremantle is considered a fishing harbor, you'll find several seafood markets and restaurants located here. Famous not only for their delicious fish and chips recipes, Fremantle also offers a wide variety of cuisines, including Asian and Italian. Visit the Cappuccino Strip in the South Terrace section of the city and try some of the coffee shops, too.

Activities

There are endless possibilities of things to experience in Fremantle, from taking a walk along the picturesque harbor to going to the beach and doing some whale watching, or viewing the postcard-like sunset at the end of a lovely day. A couple of tourist sites to keep in mind would be the Maritime Museum which houses historical and modern marine vessels, or if you're more inclined to visit a spooky destination, check out the Fremantle Prison at night when they offer guided ghost hunting tours.

Enjoy the Nightlife

If you like to go out dancing or to listen to local music, there are a few nice clubs to visit. One is the Metropolis Fremantle, probably the largest and busiest club in the city. The club is divided into different sections by music type, so if you don't care for certain styles of music, you can steer clear of those parts of the club. There is also the Kulcha Club in the heart of the Cappuccino Strip, where you'll find more of a Latin type of atmosphere including salsa dancing lessons and artistic surroundings.

Accommodations

Fremantle has suitable sleeping accommodations for every budget. If you're looking for an inexpensive dorm style hostel, go to the Backpackers Inn which is close to downtown and the train station. If you'd like to have rooms with a view, try the Freo Beach House across the street from the gorgeous South Beach and a short distance from the town center. There is also the Port Mill Bed and Breakfast located just off of Cappuccino Strip, which can run a couple of hundred dollars a night, but well worth the price with its delicious old style breakfasts, historical architecture and unique rooms.