Fremantle
Fremantle (or Freo as it is locally known) lies 19km south of Perth on the mouth of the Swan River. The name comes from Captain Charles Fremantle, an officer in the English Royal Navy, who first hoisted the Union Flag and proclaimed possession of the Swan River Colony for King George IV in May 1829.
Fremantle became a serviceable port in 1897 after the limestone bar and sand shoals were removed from the Swan River entrance. Since then the port area grew, taking trade away from Albany.
The Maritime Museum houses an excellent collection of artefacts and stories about the history of shipping in Western Australia, including fishing, trade, life on the Swan River and the naval defence.
There are a few statues around Fremantle, one of which represents the immigration of new settlers in the area, a man with little more than his suitcase.
The Railway Station design is based on Cambridge Railway Station in England and originally built for the influx of miners coming to Western Australia and heading for the goldfields.
The Round House served as a gaol in Fremantle until a need for a larger prison. It is the oldest surviving public building in Western Australia. Having been built in 1830 and featured 8 cells. The tunnel underneath was added later as whalers needed access from the town to the port.
Fremantle Prison was built with convict labour (as most of the early settlements in Australia were) in the 1850s. Like many of the old buildings in Fremantle, the prison was built from limestone which was quarried in the area. Fremantle Prison became a museum after officially closing in 1991.
The War Memorial on Monument Hill commemorates the 94 volunteers from Fremantle who lost their lives during the First World War. Unveiled in 1928, the memorial was designed by JF Allen and CF Nicholas and built from Toodyay Stone. A time capsule has been buried underneath. The area surrounding the memorial features extra memorials to later wars including the Second World War, Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War. A torpedo, presented by the US Navy commemorates the US personnel who were based in Freo. The periscope comes from an English submarine. Monument Hill also gives some very good views of Fremantle and the harbour areas.
Bon Scott, former singer with AC/DC, grew up in Freo and his legend is immortalised in an excellent little statue by the harbour which was unveiled in February 2008. Made from bronze it has remarkable detail. Bon Scott died in 1980 and is buried in Fremantle Cemetery.
Link: Visit Fremantle
