How To Spend One Day In Fremantle, Perth
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Are you planning a trip to Perth and want to know how to have the perfect day in Fremantle? Then come on in, because I have everything you need to know.
I’ve been living in Fremantle for four months now and the place won me over the first day I visited. It’s a popular day trip from Perth and there is so much to see and do in Fremantle that a day isn’t enough. But with me here to help you plan how to spend one day in Fremantle, I’ll do my best to ensure you don’t miss the best bits.
I’ll give you a short breakdown of the different areas of Fremantle, before sharing a full-day Fremantle itinerary with some frequently asked questions about visiting Fremantle at the end. This itinerary has you seeing the best Fremantle attractions, including the Fremantle Prison and markets and lesser visited spots to give you the full Fremantle experience in a day.
How to Spend One Day in Fremantle
How to Spend One Day in Fremantle?
Go for a morning swim
Grab a coffee and a snack
Wander through Esplanade Park and Fisherman’s Harbour
Take a true crime tour of Fremantle Prison
Grab a late lunch at Little Creatures Brewery
Stroll through the Fremantle Markets (Fri-Sun)
Watch a sunset from Monument Hill
I acknowledge the Whadjuk people as the Traditional Owners of the greater Fremantle / Walyalup area.
Breakdown of Fremantle
For first-time visitors to Fremantle, it would be easy to think Fremantle is just the space between the train station and the markets. But there is so much more and here’s a little breakdown of the different areas in Fremantle:
Central Fremantle
This is the main attraction. It’s where the markets, prison, museums and Bathers Beach are all located. As a tourist/visitor, most of your time in Fremantle will likely be spent here.
South Fremantle
If you follow the South Terrace past the markets you will stumble into a street full of lovely cafes, restaurants and boutique shops, this is South Fremantle. I find this area to be a lot more lived in. You’ll find South Beach here and it is connected to Central Freo and Bathers Beach by a cycle path hugging the coastline.
North Fremantle
Located on the opposite side of the river to Central Freo it has its own train station. Again it’s a more lived-in area with only a handful of cafes, shops and bars. Live music venue Mojos is a popular spot. The real gem of North Fremantle is Leighton Beach, my favourite local beach.
East Fremantle
I saw someone describing this area as old people and trees and it made me chuckle. I haven’t explored this area loads as there is less going on than the other 3. There are a few restaurants by the river in East Freo such as the Jetty and Left Bank.
How to Spend One Day in Fremantle?
Go for a morning swim
Leighton Beach
The best time to go for a dip is first thing in the morning, the water is often calmer and there is usually less wind. Don’t expect completely empty beaches as Aussies love an early morning but there is a serenity to these spots earlier on in the day.
Depending on where you are staying or when you would like to stop by you could either head to South Beach in South Fremantle or Leighton Beach in North Fremantle. South Beach is a much calmer spot; sometimes, first thing in the morning, there are virtually no waves here. However, Leighton Beach takes the crown for being the most beautiful beach in Fremantle, so getting knocked around by a few waves here is worth it.
To get to South Beach take the 532 bus from the station. If you wish to walk it would take around 40 minutes. If you have a bike there is a bike path from the station to South Beach.
To get to Leighton Beach, you should take the train to North Fremantle and then the beach is only a 5-minute walk away.
Grab a coffee and a snack
Once you’ve dried off from a lovely morning dip it’s time to get some caffeine, matcha, tea, smoothie or whatever you like to drink. Fremantle is full of fantastic cafes, honestly, I reckon you could spend a whole day on a cafe crawl.
If you are heading to South Beach first thing, I recommend stopping by Kerfuffle. They have a small selection of baked goods along with delicious coffee and cosy interiors.
If your morning swim was at Leighton Beach, Orange Box is the cafe for you. With plenty of outdoor seating, you can enjoy freshly squeezed juice in the sun.
Or you could head into Central Freo and the spots I recommend here would be Good Things or Ginos.
Wander through Esplanade Park and Fisherman’s Harbour
Esplanade Park
Esplanade Park is in the heart of Fremantle and is a 10-minute walk from the station. It’s also where you will find the Fremantle Wheel giving you views over the harbour, the ocean and the city.
Across the park on the waterfront, you will find Fishmerans Habour another iconic spot in Fremantle. It’s a working harbour so you can watch the fishing boats come and go then stroll towards Bathers Beach for a glimpse of the South Mole lighthouse.
If you have time, you could also visit the Roundhouse, the oldest public building in Western Australia, only a five-minute walk from Esplanade Park.
Take a true crime tour of Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Prison is a popular attraction and provides a small insight into Perth’s history. The prison closed in 1991 following prison riots and poor conditions, it then opened to tourists in 1992 before becoming recognised in 2010 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A few different tours run throughout the day, you can take a tour about the construction of the prison, the true crime stories of the people imprisoned there, or what it was like to live there.
I have done and recommend the True Crime Tour. They share real-life stories about the criminals, their time in prison and how their crimes had a wider effect on the community.
The first true crime tour starts at 11:45 and then every hour until 4:45. You don’t have to book in advance but can do so on their website if you wish. The tours cost $23 per adult and each last 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Grab a late lunch at Little Creatures Brewery
Little Creatures is a brewery founded in Fremantle with an outdoor area overlooking the waterfront it’s the ideal spot for an early afternoon lunch in the sun. With pizzas, burgers and share plates the menu is kept simple but it won’t disappoint.
After lining your stomach, why not join one of their brewery tours? They take you through the brewing process, tour you through the factory and you can enjoy a guided tasting at the end. It costs $35 per person with tours daily at 11:30 or 15:00.
Stroll through the Fremantle Markets
The markets are a historic landmark that dates back to 1897 and are a must-see for your Fremantle itinerary. You will find a range of stalls here and won’t be short of little trinkets to buy yourself. There is also fresh produce towards the back of the markets, then a handful of food vendors selling in the middle and on the edge of the markets.
The markets are open 9:00 - 18:00 Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so plan your day in Fremantle accordingly. I find the markets to be calmer in the late afternoon with slightly smaller crowds.
Fremantle also has plenty of small boutique shops to get your shopping fix if you happen to be in Fremantle on a Monday-Thursday. You can read my guide for 20 Shops in Fremantle You Have To Visit for more information on them.
Alternative Idea: If shopping isn’t your thing you could check out the WA Maritime Museum.
Watch a sunset from Monument Hill
Monument Hill is a park that sits above Fremantle, with sweeping views of the port and the city. It’s a 15-minute uphill walk from Central Fremantle and my favourite spot in Freo to watch the sunset.
Depending on the time of year the sun sets around 17:30 - 19:30. I know early right? I recommend heading up 15-30 minutes before sunset to watch the sun disappear over Fremantle. Then be sure to stick around whilst the sky dances and changes colours its the best part.
Looking for somewhere to go for dinner after sunset? A few of my favourite spots are Urban Winery, Mexican Kitchen, Lolas and Running with Thieves.
FAQ About Visiting Fremantle
What is Fremantle known for?
Fremantle is known for its maritime history, heritage buildings, markets and strong afternoon winds known as the ‘Freo Doctor’. Fremantle is also home to Western Australia’s busiest port.
Is Fremantle worth visiting?
Absolutely! The city is rich in arts and culture, with many thriving local businesses. You will find plenty of cosy cafes, little bars and delicious dinner spots. The beaches in the south and north of Fremantle are magical. And the sunsets in Fremantle are some of the best I’ve seen ever.
Where is Fremantle?
Fremantle is a port city in Western Australia around 20km south of the city of Perth.
How do I get to Fremantle?
Fremantle is only a 30-minute train journey from Perth Station with a train every 15 minutes during the day. You can’t go wrong using the train to get to Fremantle as it’s named the Fremantle Line. I encourage using public transport over driving as parking can get busy, especially on the weekends.
A day rider ticket for TransPerth services including trains and buses is currently $10.40 for an adult. If you are staying in Perth for more than a few days purchase a SmartRider card, you can do this at Perth or Fremantle station. It saves you from having to buy a ticket every time and it’s cheaper.
How long should I spend in Fremantle?
Personally, I encourage you to stay a few days to fully enjoy everything Fremantle has to offer and the different parts e.g. North Fremantle etc. However, if you are short on time and only in Perth for a few days then you can see a lot of Fremantle in just one day.
Find some places to stay in Fremantle ->
What are the best things to do in Fremantle?
In addition to the fabulous things I have mentioned above you can take a whale-watching tour from Fremantle. Learn more about the maritime history of this port city at the Maritime Museum. See the city from a bird’s eye view and ride the wheel at Esplanade Park.
How would you spend one day in Fremantle?
