Things to See in Perth
Perth Station
Modern skyline with skyscrapers, office buildings, and busy streets.
Glimpses of Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River.
Subiaco/West
Leederville
Residential houses with gardens, small local shops, and cafés.
Occasional heritage buildings.
Victoria Park/Burswood/Canning Bridge
Parks and open green spaces, especially near the Canning River.
Bridges and waterways.
Carlisle/Oats
Street/Welshpool
Quiet suburban streets, community parks, and schools.
South Fremantle/North Fremantle
Industrial buildings, warehouses, and Fremantle Port.
Older houses and small shops.
On clear days, the Indian Ocean may be spotted in the distance (HA LONG BAY, VIETNAM).
Fremantle Train
Station
Arriving at
Fremantle Train Station feels like taking the first few steps, and more
steps, towards discovering Western Australia’s history. It begins at Fremantle
Train Station, viewing the station built in 1907 from its front façade. A
heritage-listed railway station with its Federation Free Style architecture,
brickwork, archways, and timber detailing. Officially registered as a State
Registered Place by the Heritage Council of Western Australia, Fremantle, and
classified by the National Trust of Australia (WA) in 1974.
Located close to the city center, Fremantle Train Station connects trains, buses, and nearby ferries. It marks the start of what to see in Fremantle. Holding historical significance and showcasing its architectural style, Fremantle Train Station is one of the heritage buildings in Fremantle, reflecting the city’s long-standing role as a port city in Western Australia.
Attractions in
Fremantle, Perth
Wesleyan Church
The Wesleyan Church may not be a top attraction in Fremantle and can be easily
missed. One of the oldest churches in Fremantle, the Wesleyan Church can be
spotted along the same road leading from the train station. Built in the 1800s,
its rustic, ancient façade made of small stones is undoubtedly striking. Though
no longer active, it can be viewed from the outside.
Fremantle
Esplanade Park
At the far end of Fremantle, facing the sea, is Fremantle Esplanade Park. In
the center of the park stands the Maitland Brown Memorial, also known as the
Explorer’s Monument. Built in 1913, it honours Maitland Brown, a colonial
official who led a search party in 1864 to recover the bodies of three missing
explorers in Western Australia.
The Maitland
Brown Memorial also acknowledges a violent conflict during the journey in which
several Aboriginal men were killed. A later-added plaque includes the
Aboriginal perspective and commemorates the lives lost.
With its
attractive, colourful, boomerang-shaped structure in an open garden, Fremantle
Esplanade Park captures the true Fremantle vibe, even while simply seated on
the grass and looking around.
WA Shipwrecks
Museum
The WA Shipwrecks
Museum is located just a few minutes’ walk from Fremantle Esplanade Park. The
huge, heavy anchors outside already hint at what’s in store inside. Though
entry is free, a small donation in the box is a kind gesture before walking in.
The museum
itself gives a sense of calmness, with sections displaying Fremantle’s maritime
history in a historic 1850s building. It must be praised as one of the top
attractions in Perth, particularly for history buffs. Exhibits and artefacts
from shipwrecks include the Batavia, Zuytdorp, and Vergulde Draeck. One exhibit
that stands out is believed to be the skeleton of one of the first Europeans to
arrive in Australia.
Indeed, it’s a walk through the history of Fremantle at WA Shipwrecks Museum, a notable attraction in Fremantle, and souvenirs can be purchased from the small shop at the entrance.
The Fremantle
Markets
The most
popular market in Fremantle is the Fremantle Markets, located at the corner of
South Terrace and Henderson Street. Housed in a Victorian building opened in
1898, it is one of only two surviving municipal market buildings in Western
Australia.
The building
has remained largely as it was for over a century. In 1993, the Fremantle
Markets were permanently entered on the State Register of Heritage Places,
ensuring the preservation of this iconic structure.
Open on
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and most public holidays, the market is abuzz with
over 150 stalls. The stalls feature a mix of Australian and Asian products,
ranging from fashion, beauty, household items, and food. The Fremantle Markets
is worth allocating some time to visit, as it must be recognised as one of the
top must-see attractions in Fremantle, Perth.
Markets in
Fremantle
Apart from the
Fremantle Markets, there are also other markets worth checking out in
Fremantle.
Fremantle
Farmers Market
Held every Sunday at South Fremantle High School, Fremantle Farmers Market is
where fresh, locally grown produce and local goods can be picked up, or simply
visited as part of the experience.
Fremantle Arts
Centre Markets
On the first Sunday of each month, Fremantle Arts Centre hosts local artists,
designers, and food vendors.
Little
Creatures Brewery Events
While not a traditional market, Little Creatures Brewery in East Fremantle
occasionally holds events with local food trucks, craft beer, and live music.
Fremantle
Waterfront
Captivating! The
waters of Fremantle are striking and best admired by simply standing back and
taking a look. The waterfront can be easily spotted at Fremantle Harbour while
walking around. It’s also visible while having a meal, as restaurants are set
across the harbour, overlooking the waterways where boats and ships pass by or
remain docked at the pier (VARANASI WATERFRONT, INDIA).
Fremantle’s seaside or coastline is where time can be pleasantly spent, whether dipping your legs and hands in the water or taking a leisurely stroll. Swimming, however, is not part of the water activities in Fremantle. Nothing beats being at the seaside later in the evening when it’s cooler, or even watching the sunset in Fremantle. In fact, the sea view is hard to miss while arriving in or leaving Fremantle on the train ride.
