Fremantle port and Victorian streetscape with Saturday markets in foreground

Perth

Fremantle

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Good

Port city with attitude — Victorian streetscape, Saturday markets, craft-brewery row, harbour-side fish.

Fremantle is the Indian Ocean port at the mouth of the Swan, with the best-preserved 19th-century streetscape in Australia and a culture that's distinctly not-Perth. The Cappuccino Strip (South Terrace), Fremantle Markets and the Maritime Museum form the tourist spine; Little Creatures and Gage Roads anchor a serious craft-beer scene. Live-music pubs (Mojos, Norfolk Hotel) keep it gritty.

Scores

9/10

Walkability

8/10

Transit

6/10

Price

9/10

Local feel

8/10

Nightlife

7/10

Family-friendly

5/10

Centrality

What you gain

  • Fremantle Markets (Fri-Sun) and the Cappuccino Strip on South Terrace
  • Little Creatures, Gage Roads, Monk and Mrs Brown — Australia's densest craft-beer cluster
  • Train direct to Perth CBD in 30 min, ferry to Rottnest from B Shed

What you sacrifice

  • 25km from Perth CBD; no direct light rail from city beaches
  • Rough-edged after dark on the High Street drug strip

Best for

culture seekerscraft-beer travellershistory buffs

Avoid if

beach-resort travellersCBD-business stays

Know where to stay — now find when to go.

Best time to visit Perth