West End

“It’s an inspiration for creatives and heaven for photographers, filmmakers and Instagrammers.”

One of the best preserved and most intact towns built during the 19th century gold boom era in Australia. Stunning streetscapes are lined with restaurants, cafes and artisan boutiques. Home to the Fremantle campus of the University of Notre Dame Australia. THIS IS THE WEST END.

Strange Company

INSIDERS TIP

Hougoumont Hotel on Bannister Street takes its name from the last convict ship to arrive in Fremantle with 62 Irish Fenians on board including John Boyle O’Reilly who went on to plan the most incredible prison escape from the Convict Establishment (now Fremantle Prison) in 1867. It’s known as the Catalapa Escape.

Hougoumont Hotel

PS Art Space Image: Tashi Hall

West End

It’s one of the largest single places to be permanently included in the Western Australian State Register of Heritage Places encompassing 250 buildings and 200,000 square metres.

It’s an inspiration for creatives and heaven for photographers, filmmakers and Instagrammers. Federation style merchant warehouses, ornate facades and grand Australian hotels built to support a busy working port from 1829 through to the present day line the streets.

The West End holds historic tales of daring escapes, misadventure, plague and fires that have built the folklore of this port city.

Peppered among a labyrinth of narrow streets and laneways are interesting small bars, award winning fine dining restaurants, parklets, gin distillery and cafes under the stairs. The university crowd means you will find some of the best value fare. There are retail stores selling everything you need from surfboards, authentic Aboriginal art, furniture designed and made in Fremantle to the iconic and very Australian UGG boots.

Fremantle’s reputation as a creative city was born when rents were cheap and old warehouses for studio spaces were abundant. Today artists call the Pakenham Street Art Space and Old Customs House spaces home with galleries and artist collectives found along city streets.

GETTING THERE

Fremantle Bus & Train Station sits at the entrance to the West End heritage precinct. A free central area transit (CAT) bus service operates daily around the city and through the West End with stops at key tourism attractions including the train station, WA Shipwrecks Museum, the Cappuccino Strip, Fremantle Markets, South Fremantle, South Beach and Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour.

WHAT’S ON

Fremantle International Street Arts Festival / Hidden Treasures Winter Music Series / Fremantle Biennale

PLACES TO EAT

Bread in Common / Lions & Tigers / Moore & Moore Café / Café 55 / National Hotel / Strange Company / La Sosta / Sandrino’s / Bistrot Cafe / Chocolateria San Churros / Breaks / Hush / Palace Arcade / Old Faithful Bar & BBQ

PLACES TO DRINK

Darling Darling / Republic of Fremantle / Strange Company / National Hotel Rooftop Bar / Ronnie Nights / Jungle Bird / Old Faithful / Bar Orient / Palace Arcade

THINGS TO DO

Browse boutiques along High Street / take a photography or walking tour / visit galleries and the WA Shipwrecks Museum / explore the Round House / try sip & paint

WHERE TO STAY

Hougoumont Hotel / National Hotel / Quest Apartment Hotel / New Haus / Fremantle Bed & Breakfast