Fremantle

During 1827, while the British were concerned about French incursion into Western Australia, the Brits felt the port area, now known as Fremantle, was thought to be ideal for a settlement. By May of 1829, the first part of the Swan River settlement had been established, at the mouth of the river. It was named after the English Naval captain (Charles Fremantle) who had established the camp on the site. The Whadjuk Noongar native peoples who had inhabited this area for centuries, knew it as “Walyalup” (“The Place of Crying”). For them, this area was important for ceremonies, cultural practices, and trade. During September of 1829, the “Anglesea” (a merchant ship) ran aground at the mouth of the Swan River. When the ship did not break up as expected, the Swan River settlers turned it into WA’s first prison. Because of a lack of skilled laborers immigrating to Western Australia (WA), the settlers petitioned the British government to send convicts with the skills WA needed. The first of these “skilled” convicts arrived in the port of Fremantle (Perth’s main port) on June 1, 1850. At the height of the WA gold rush (1897), Fremantle’s harbor was deepened, making it more accessible for commercial shipping and turning the port into a center for trade. During World War II, the largest Allied submarine base in the Southern Hemisphere was located in Fremantle, with nearly 170 submarines calling it home. Today, many of the convict-built structures of the 19th century have been preserved, including “The Round House”, the oldest remaining intact building in WA ( built between 1830 and 1831 as a jail). Ferries and trains run daily between Perth and Fremantle ( although the trains are the cheapest way to go).

In the center of town, the strange yellow strips on city hall actually serve a purpose...

...while this may look like a photoshopped picture, it is really an unusual piece of art. The yellow strips are painted on the individual buildings. It is only when you stand in front of “The Round House” looking back towards the city center do you see this image.

Because Fremantle was the original port for what became the city of Perth, it is only fitting that there is a maritime museum...

...which includes the “Australia II” racing ship that won the America’s Cup Yacht Race.

Built in 1830, “The Round House” was the first permanent building in the Swan River Colony and is the oldest building still standing in WA.

One of the main attractions in town is the Fremantle Prison...

...built between 1851 and 1859 by convict labor, this 15 acre prison (originally known as the “Convict Establishment”) finally closed in 1991.

Perhaps one of the biggest thrills we had while visiting here was to be able to stick our feet in the Indian Ocean.