When holidaying in Fremantle, itineraries likely revolve around the beach, bars and restaurants. But if you can tear yourself away from the white sand and gourmet food for a day, a trip to the historical Fremantle Prison is one you won’t forget.
Fremantle Prison – which is the largest convict-built structure in Australia and the most intact convict establishment in the southern hemisphere – is the only World Heritage-listed building in Western Australia. With an impressive range of tours (including an underground adventure through tunnels quarried by convicts), it’s a fascinating place for history buffs and true crime fanatics alike. You can even stay the night in a prison cell if you’re really eager.
Heading to the charming portside city of Fremantle? Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the iconic Fremantle Prison.
The history of Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Prison was built as a convict barracks in the early 1850s. Convicts themselves built the prison out of the limestone quarried from the site itself, with the first prisoners moving into the main cell block in 1855.
The building included four levels of cells, with each cell measuring barely more than two and a half square metres. This exceptionally small cell size was because the cells were intended to be used for overnight accommodation only, as the convicts were sent to work outdoors during the day. However, the cell walls being built with thick limestone – rather than corrugated iron cell partitions like other prisons of the time – made the cells very cramped even just for sleeping, not to mention poorly ventilated.
Fremantle Prison was built as a convict barracks in the early 1850s. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Fremantle continued being used as a prison right up until 1991 and saw more than 10,000 prisoners pass through its doors. Inmates included convicts sent from Great Britain, colonial prisoners and prisoners of war. In addition, during the Second World War, the Australian Defence Department used part of the prison to detain many Italian Australians deemed ‘enemy aliens’ due to Italy’s alliance with Germany. The Prison was a place of hangings, floggings, dramatic convict escapes and prisoner riots.
A Royal Commission was launched into the prison in the 1980s following a number of riots and concerns over conditions, with the facility ultimately being shut down in 1991.
After its closure, the WA state government embarked on a long-term conservation plan to ensure the prison’s preservation for future generations.
Fremantle Prison is the only World Heritage-listed building in WA. (Image: Fremantle Prison)
Why you should visit Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Prison’s significance stems from the fact that it is substantially – and impressively – still intact. The fabric of the Main Cell Block, perimeter walls, hospital and eastern workshop, gatehouse and three of the cottages on The Terrace is little altered from its convict era. Few enhancements were made over the years to allow the site to continue to operate as a prison into the ’90s, however, they didn’t significantly alter the structure. Consequently, the original fabric of Fremantle Prison has an incredibly high integrity.
A visit to Fremantle Prison will leave you captivated for hours. Within the Prison walls is the Prison Cafe, operated by the team renowned for popular Fremantle restaurants Emily Taylor and Sailing for Oranges, and a fascinating Visitor Centre showcasing actual footage of prison life and panels depicting the prison’s history, riots and reform programs.
Travel back in time. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Head over to the Convict Depot, situated in the former prison superintendent’s backyard, to find out if you have a convict past. Visitors can search for convict ancestors on a fully interactive Convict Database, and explore hundreds of photographs and articles relating to the convict era.
There is also a constant roster of exhibitions at the Prison, including things like prisoner art and colonial artefacts. And of course, you grab a souvenir from the award-winning gift shop on your way out – the convict teddy bears are rather cute, and the collection of history books is fascinating.
Browse the artefacts on display. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Best Fremantle Prison tours
Visitors to Fremantle Prison can step inside and do time on one of the compelling tours.
Convict Prison tour
This tour gives visitors an overview of the history of the prison, from its construction to its decommission. You’ll learn about the 10,000 men who were transported to the Prison from Great Britain, how they built their own prison and helped shape the future of Western Australia.
Opening hours: Daily, every hour from 10am until 5pm.
Duration: One hour 15 minutes.
Pricing: $23 per adult.
Behind Bars tour
This tour takes visitors back in time through the Main Cell Block and inmate exercise yards. As you walk through the facility in their shoes, you learn about the daily routine of prisoners and the realities of life on the inside.
Opening hours: Daily, every hour from 10.30am until 4.30pm.
Duration: One hour 15 minutes.
Pricing: $23 per adult.
Get a glimpse of Fremantle Prison’s fascinating history. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
True Crime tour
For the true crime fanatics, this tour uncovers the real life stories of some of the Prison’s most notorious inmates – from bushrangers, thieves and murderers, to serial killers, bank robbers and escape artists.
Opening hours: Daily, every hour from 11.45am until 4.45pm.
Duration: One hour 15 minutes.
Pricing: $23 per adult.
Tunnels Tour
Not one for the faint-hearted (or claustrophobic), the tunnels tour sees visitors don a hardhat and overalls and descend below the Prison to explore a labyrinth of tunnels built by prisoners.
Guides lead the trek through dry sections of the tunnels on foot, before boarding replica convict punts to explore the submerged passageways accessible only by boat.
Opening hours: Saturdays and Sundays only at 9am, 10.40am, 12.20 pm, 1.40pm, and 3.25pm.
Duration: Two hours 30 minutes.
Pricing: $66 per adult.
Trek through the tunnels on foot. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Torchlight Tour
Another one for those who are feeling brave, the Torchlight Tour takes visitors to the darkest side of Fremantle Prison. Guides lead you through the prison after dark, regaling you with tales of the loneliness, pain and suffering, of executions gone wrong, of the innocent unjustly imprisoned and the guilty punished.
Opening hours: Every Wednesday and Friday evening – April-Oct from 6.30pm, Nov-March from 7pm.
Duration: One hour 30 minutes.
Pricing: $29 per adult.
More than 10,000 prisoners have passed through the doors of Fremantle Prison. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Staying at Fremantle Prison
If after all that you still can’t get enough, visitors can also stay overnight at the Prison at the YHA Fremantle Prison – even being able to stay in actual prison cells. If that’s a bit much for you, they have additional purpose-built rooms, either shared dorm-style or private rooms with ensuites. Whatever you choose, you’ll be staying the night in a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Sleep in either shared dorm-style or private rooms with ensuites. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
What you need to know
Fremantle Prison is open seven days a week. It’s centrally located in Fremantle, a short walk from Fremantle Train Station, the cappuccino trip and Fishing Boat Harbour. Book your tours in advance.
A visit to Fremantle Prison is guaranteed to astonish history buffs. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle.
Opening hours: 9am–5pm, seven days a week.
Price: Entry to Fremantle Prison Gatehouse is free and includes access to the Convict Café, Gift Shop, Prison Gallery, Convict Depot and Museum. Tours incur an additional charge.
Prefer to stay elsewhere? Check out our guide to the most charming Airbnbs in Fremantle.
The post The ultimate guide to visiting the fascinating Fremantle Prison appeared first on Australian Traveller.
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