When you are in Perth, do yourself a favour and visit Fremantle Prison.
It was the first building in Western Australia to be included in the World Heritage List. Additionally, the “must-see” is listed on our National Trust.
Plus, it is the largest convict-built building in WA – and the “most intact convict-built cell range” in all Australia!
After 140 years in operation, it was the last constructed convict build in the country. In fact, it was 1868 when the last ship of convicts arrived on Hougoumont. This was the end of forced transportation of prisoners to Australia.
When we organised a catch up with Heatley’s cousin, Skye – this was top of her list for us! The prison’s enthusiastic tour guide and amount of what we learnt was unexpected. All up, our kids were enthralled.
Choose a tour or 5
Opt for a convict prison, behind bars, true crime, a torchlight tour, or a tunnels tour. You can walk all over – this is the main cell block below.
Why did it close?
A riot closed the prison. A year later in 1992 – it was opened as a tourist attraction.
Family Friendly
With plenty to fascinate our tribe and us, you could touch and feel. Funnily, I took another prison loo pic like this at the Silverton Jail in NSW!
Not just prisoner toilets. You could imagine life here back then.
We walked into the Fremantle cells, and saw where torture and executions were held. The prisoner’s daily routines and menu became real to us.
Interestingly, Moondyne Joe was just one of the WA bushrangers held here. Known more as the greatest escape artist of Australia’s convict era rather than his bushranger ways.
History became alive with our tour guide!
More to see and do
Afterwards, we found a pub and plenty of shops in beautiful historic Fremantle.
We also recommend checking out the excellent Maritime Museum in Freemantle.
Where to camp?
We camped south of here at Discovery Holiday Parks Woodman Point. What a great base to explore southern Perth. But there are a few caravan parks between there and Fremantle.
Find places to camp nearby in the CAMPS 12 guide books, CAMPS Pendium boxed set and CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App.
Score 15% off Camps 12 B4 (Easy to Read with Photos) by adding in the below code at checkout.
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