Fremantle - The Convict Footsteps

OVERVIEW

Walk through Fremantle’s vibrant downtown, admiring historical attractions such as the city’s first jail and a revitalized area full of restaurants and shopping malls. Much of this district was constructed by British convicts that arrived in the 19th century. Ironically, they built their own prisons, including Fremantle’s oldest building, the Round House, which operated as a prison until 1886. You will also see Fremantle Prison, the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Western Australia., a designation it earned as a physical reminder of Europe’s colonial expansion through the presence and labor of convicts. Of course, there’s more to Fremantle’s past than prisons. The city is also full of Victorian and Edwardian architecture from its boom years, when gold and wheat drove the economy. Being on the water, Fremantle has a rich maritime history, much of it detailed in the Western Australian Maritime Museum. The best water views are from the Esplanade that hugs the coast.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain an understanding of how British convicts helped found Fremantle.

• See two prisons: one the city’s oldest building, the other a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Admire the Victorian and Edwardian architecture on a walk through the city.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.