The Wanderer
Image: Bathers way (courtesy Tourism WA)
Best RV-Friendly Activities in Fremantle
Although cities aren’t generally an appealing choice when it comes to RV holiday destinations, sometimes one surprises you. I headed to Fremantle and discovered that this city has it all for a laid-back summer. From history, arts and culture to beaches, cafes and quiet oceanside caravan parks, Fremantle is a worthy destination to chock your wheels at.
It’s not every day you get to lock your spouse into a pillory, but if you ever get the urge to, Fremantle is the place to go. Here you will find Western Australia’s oldest public building, the Fremantle Gaol (Jail), otherwise known as The Round House. Built in 1831, it was saved from demolition in the 1920s and now serves as a fascinating slice of history. Something, it turns out, Fremantle has a lot of.
Image: The Round House (courtesy Tourism WA)
Historic & Architectural Sites to Visit in Fremantle
The Round House is thus named for its very obvious shape. Manned by a dedicated crew of volunteers from 10:30 am - 3:30 pm daily, entry is by gold coin donation or a quick tap of your card. Once inside the Round House, visitors can walk inside the actual cells, learn about prison life, and have a go at being locked into the pillory. Although it makes for a fun photo, the pillory is not for the faint-hearted, as once that top piece of wood is lowered down onto the back of your neck and wrists, biting down the rising panic as you feel the pressure on your windpipe could be an effort for some. It certainly was for me.
The history and architecture doesn’t stop at the Round House, though. Fremantle has a number of well-preserved architectural heritage buildings, including the much larger Fremantle Prison, the Fremantle Markets and the Fremantle Arts Centre.
When the first 75 convicts arrived from Britain in 1850 to bolster the colony’s dwindling population, it was pretty obvious that the Round House was not going to be large enough to house them. Thus, the Fremantle Prison was born. Completed in the 1850s, it was a working prison right up until 1991. Housing not only British convicts but military prisoners, local prisoners, prisoners of war and enemy aliens, the Fremantle Prison was once one of the most notorious prisons in the entire British Empire.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage building, visitors can opt to tour the facilities through a number of different fascinating tours, one of which allows you to descend 20 metres below the prison and explore the labyrinth of tunnels built by prisoners. A highlight of which is boarding a replica convict punt to explore the submerged passageways accessible only by boat.
If a dark tunnel tour or learning about famous prison break attempts is not up your alley, the Fremantle Markets most certainly will be. Opening in 1897, over 150 stalls are housed in this beautiful Victorian-era building, which has been listed by the National Trust of Australia and Western Australia’s Heritage Council since 1980. Here you will find everything you’re looking for, a few things that you’re not and a glut of delicious food stalls. However, you’ll need to time your visit well as it’s only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 am - 6 pm.
Maritime history abounds here too, with both the WA Shipwrecks Museum and the WA Maritime Museum. If you’re on a budget, head to the Shipwrecks Museum, as entry is by a suggested donation of five dollars. Housed inside Fremantle’s historic Commissariat buildings, of highlight here is the Batavia Gallery, which features the reconstructed remains of the VOC ship Batavia which was excavated by archaeologists in the 1970s. Although a little gory, but just as fascinating, is the skeletal remains of one of the people murdered on the Abrolhos Islands. Batavia’s history was wrought with drama, involving mutineers that became murderers, and sadly, this skeleton fell victim to that particular time in history. The WA Shipwrecks Museum is open 9 am - 5 pm daily.
Alternatively, the WA Maritime Museum can be found perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean, where it stands as a symbol of Fremantle’s past, present and future as a port. Inside you’ll find historic vessels and objects that highlight Western Australia’s sailing heritage, but the real highlight is the Oberon class Submarine HMAS Ovens, an authentic Cold War-era vessel on Fremantle’s historic submarine slipway. The Ovens serves as a living memorial dedicated to submariners and those who gave their lives serving from Fremantle during WWII. The WA Maritime Museum is open from 9:30 am - 5 pm daily and standard entry is $15 for those over the age of 15 years of age.
Image: Shipwreck Museum (courtesy Jessica Palmer)
The Fremantle Arts Centre is where to begin exploring Fremantle’s Art Scene and it’s open from 10 am - 5 pm daily. Constructed in the 1860s by convicts, it was actually a former lunatic asylum. However, today, this Victorian Gothic building is one of Fremantle’s most iconic landmarks. You’ll also find many instances of public art in and around the streets of Fremantle.
There are a number of galleries residing in this laid-back city, but if you fancy a drink as well, head to the Staircase Art Gallery at the National Hotel as you can finish your visit with a drink on the rooftop bar, which boasts 360-degree views of Fremantle and the ocean. Open seven days a week from midday until late, you’ll find many local artist’s work featured here.
Image: Leighton Beach (courtesy Tourism WA)
Grab your towel and bathers and head on down to one of Fremantle’s five beaches, all of which boast those beautiful turquoise hues that Western Australia is famous for. After all, it is summer!
Bathers Beach is at the heart and soul of Fremantle, an inner-city beach that features a licenced area in which you can order and enjoy an icy cold drink with your feet in the sand. It’s the beach that every other city in Australia wishes it had. For those with mobility challenges, a beach wheelchair can be hired for free from the nearby Shipwrecks Museum.
South Beach is where to head when you want lunch or dinner afterwards. Close to the South Terrace strip of small bars, eateries and pubs, this beach features towering Norfolk pines, plenty of shade and a green lawn. A beach wheelchair can also be hired for free here from the South Beach Cafe.
The northern beaches of Sandtrax, Port and Leighton Beach are popular with swimmers, wind and kite surfers alike, and all feature stretches of white sand and sparkly turquoise water. A beach wheelchair is available to hire for free at Leighton Beach from The Orange Box.
If you’re travelling with your furry friend, you’ll need to head to the designated areas at South Beach and Leighton Beach, but of course, don’t forget to bring along your own doggy mess bags and only let them off the leash where the signs indicate you can.
Image: Fremantle Markets (courtesy Tourism WA)
Although not technically in Fremantle Discovery Park Coogee Beach is close enough that we can just scrape through. Located right next door to the stunning Coogee Beach and its iconic jetty, this caravan park is in a quiet location. The beach here features a shark net and I’m still undecided if this makes me feel safe or worried.
Although the amenities are modern, the park was built decades ago in an era when caravans were smaller, so if you’ve got a big rig, you’ll find it hard to manoeuvre onto your site. The sites themselves aren’t particularly small compared to other caravan parks, but it’s more the access roads to get into your site. The upside to an older park is that the greenery is well-established, so there is plenty of shade.
As Discovery Parks Coogee Beach is a CMCA Friendly Park, don’t forget to show your current membership card to receive a minimum of 10% discount (terms and conditions may apply).
Category: Features
Written: Fri 01 Dec 2023
Printed: December, 2023
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