Fremantle Travelers Recommend

With attractions highlighting the history and laid-back lifestyle of the area, plus a sublime setting on the Indian Ocean coast, Fremantle is an ideal place to spend a day. Here are some of our favorite ways to get the most out of 24 hours in this port town south of Perth.

Morning: Get oriented

Get your bearings on a hop-on hop-off tram tour or a self-guided audio tour, both of which allow for independent exploration with the convenience of transportation or narration. Find your morning caffeine fix on Fremantle’s bustling “Cappuccino Strip,” then make your way to the Fremantle Tourist Wheel for a bird’s-eye look at the harbor below. The 130-foot-high (40-meter-high) Ferris wheel holds six people per gondola for the 8-minute rotation. If you’re interested in the city’s maritime heritage, check out the WA Maritime Museum or Shipwrecks Museum.

Afternoon: Discover more

Learn about the region’s convict past, Aboriginal heritage, and present-day lifestyle. A biking or walking excursion is a refreshing way to take in the sights at a leisurely pace. Many tours stop by landmarks such as the UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison, the Fremantle Markets, the 19th-century Round House, and Esplanade Park.

Night: Enjoy the evening scenery

Fremantle boasts a lively after-hours scene, with bars and restaurants that draw locals and Perth residents to the town center and waterfront. A bar crawl is a fun way to meet other travelers and mingle with locals. Or, opt for a photography tour and learn how to capture the sights in the evening light. Alternatively, head out to sea on an evening cruise for tranquil views of the sunset and a new perspective on the city.

With three days in Fremantle, you can check off all the top local sights, wander over to Perth or Rottnest, and even fit in some wine tasting, wildlife spotting, or sandboarding farther afield. Here’s how to make the most of your time in and around this Western Australian port town.

Day 1: Check out the local happenings

Get to know Freo, as the locals call it, on a hop-on hop-off tram tour or self-guided audio tour, either of which can help you navigate the city while exploring on your own. For a bird’s-eye perspective, go for a ride on the Fremantle Tourist Wheel near the waterfront. Or, opt for a biking or walking tour of cultural attractions such as the Fremantle Markets, the 19th-century Round House, the UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison, and Esplanade Park. Later, hit the bars with the locals and other travelers, and find out why Freo’s nightlife is so popular. Alternatively, get some tips on capturing sights in the sunset light on an evening photography tour.

Day 2: Discover island activities or big-city sights

Head just across the Swan River to Fremantle’s sister city Perth—the capital of Western Australia—and spend the day browsing a museum or two, relaxing in Kings Park and Botanic Garden, and walking along the riverfront. Alternatively, take the ferry to idyllic Rottnest Island, home to white-sand beaches, water perfect for snorkeling, gentle hills, and historic landmarks.  (Day trips to the island are popular, so be sure to book your ticket in advance.) In the evening, watch the sunset from the water aboard a catamaran.  

Day 3: Explore wine country or venture off-road

Wine aficionados shouldn’t leave southwestern Australia without visiting the Swan Valley or Margaret River. Swan Valley is much closer to Perth, so you won’t spend hours to get there; however, Margaret River is bigger and more prestigious, and also known for its beaches, caves, and other natural attractions. For something more adventurous, journey north to the Pinnacles, limestone rock formations that create an otherworldly landscape inside Nambung National Park. Tours often include stops at Caversham Wildlife Park (to see koalas) and the town of Lancelin (where you can try your hand at sandboarding the large dunes). Most day trips depart from Perth, not Freo—verify before booking.

With two days in Fremantle, you can spend one day immersed in the local scene, and another checking out nearby Perth or Rottnest Island. Here are a few ways to create a 48-hour itinerary in this port town on the southwestern coast.

Day 1: Explore local attractions

**Morning:**Get your bearings in Fremantle—aka Freo—on a self-guided audio tour or hop-on hop-off tram tour, both of which allow for independent sightseeing with the added convenience of narration or transportation. For an aerial perspective, go for a spin on the Fremantle Tourist Wheel, near the waterfront.

**Afternoon:**Gain insight into Fremantle’s convict history and Aboriginal heritage—and get some fresh air—on a walking or biking tour of historic and cultural landmarks, such as the UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison, the Fremantle Markets, the 19th-century Round House, and Esplanade Park.

**Night:**Meet locals and other travelers on a bar crawl—your guide will know which hot spots to hit. Alternatively, sign up for an evening photography tour and learn how to capture the sights in the sunset light.

Day 2: Discover island activities or big-city sights

**Morning and afternoon:**Just off the coast of Fremantle, Rottnest Island is the Perth area’s crown jewel—a car-free oasis with white-sand beaches, turquoise water made for snorkeling, and gentle hills. Day trips by ferry from Fremantle are popular, so be sure to book in advance. Otherwise, head just north across the Swan River to Perth, Freo’s big sister and Western Australia’s capital. A hop-on hop-off bus whisks you around to main attractions like Kings Park and Botanic Garden, the Perth Cultural Centre, and the Bell Tower and Elizabeth Quay.

**Night:**Back in Freo, spend your last evening on a catamaran sail or twilight cruise. Savor the peaceful view of the sunset, and look back at Freo as it lights up for the night. Some excursions include drinks and snacks.