Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Fremantle Prison

When holidaying in Fremantle, itineraries likely revolve around the beach, bars and restaurants. But if you can tear yourself away from the white sand and gourmet food for a day, a trip to the historical Fremantle Prison is one you won’t forget.

Fremantle Prison – which is the largest convict-built structure in Australia and the most intact convict establishment in the southern hemisphere – is the only World Heritage-listed building in Western Australia. With an impressive range of tours (including an underground adventure through tunnels quarried by convicts), it’s a fascinating place for history buffs and true crime fanatics alike. You can even stay the night in a prison cell if you’re really eager.

Heading to the charming portside city of Fremantle? Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the iconic Fremantle Prison.

The history of Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison was built as a convict barracks in the early 1850s. Convicts themselves built the prison out of the limestone quarried from the site itself, with the first prisoners moving into the main cell block in 1855.

The building included four levels of cells, with each cell measuring barely more than two and a half square metres. This exceptionally small cell size was because the cells were intended to be used for overnight accommodation only, as the convicts were sent to work outdoors during the day. However, the cell walls being built with thick limestone – rather than corrugated iron cell partitions like other prisons of the time – made the cells very cramped even just for sleeping, not to mention poorly ventilated.

the exterior view of Fremantle Prison — Fremantle Prison was built as a convict barracks in the early 1850s. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Fremantle continued being used as a prison right up until 1991 and saw more than 10,000 prisoners pass through its doors. Inmates included convicts sent from Great Britain, colonial prisoners and prisoners of war. In addition, during the Second World War, the Australian Defence Department used part of the prison to detain many Italian Australians deemed ‘enemy aliens’ due to Italy’s alliance with Germany. The Prison was a place of hangings, floggings, dramatic convict escapes and prisoner riots.

A Royal Commission was launched into the prison in the 1980s following a number of riots and concerns over conditions, with the facility ultimately being shut down in 1991.

After its closure, the WA state government embarked on a long-term conservation plan to ensure the prison’s preservation for future generations.

the exterior view of the Fremantle cell — Fremantle Prison is the only World Heritage-listed building in WA. (Image: Fremantle Prison)

Why you should visit Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison’s significance stems from the fact that it is substantially – and impressively – still intact. The fabric of the Main Cell Block, perimeter walls, hospital and eastern workshop, gatehouse and three of the cottages on The Terrace is little altered from its convict era. Few enhancements were made over the years to allow the site to continue to operate as a prison into the ’90s, however, they didn’t significantly alter the structure. Consequently, the original fabric of Fremantle Prison has an incredibly high integrity.

A visit to Fremantle Prison will leave you captivated for hours. Within the Prison walls is the Prison Cafe, operated by the team renowned for popular Fremantle restaurants Emily Taylor and Sailing for Oranges, and a fascinating Visitor Centre showcasing actual footage of prison life and panels depicting the prison’s history, riots and reform programs.

guests attending a briefing session before the tunnels tour at Fremantle Prison — Travel back in time. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Head over to the Convict Depot, situated in the former prison superintendent’s backyard, to find out if you have a convict past. Visitors can search for convict ancestors on a fully interactive Convict Database, and explore hundreds of photographs and articles relating to the convict era.

There is also a constant roster of exhibitions at the Prison, including things like prisoner art and colonial artefacts. And of course, you grab a souvenir from the award-winning gift shop on your way out – the convict teddy bears are rather cute, and the collection of history books is fascinating.

artefacts on display, Tunnels Tour with Fremantle Prison — Browse the artefacts on display. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Best Fremantle Prison tours

Visitors to Fremantle Prison can step inside and do time on one of the compelling tours.

Convict Prison tour

This tour gives visitors an overview of the history of the prison, from its construction to its decommission. You’ll learn about the 10,000 men who were transported to the Prison from Great Britain, how they built their own prison and helped shape the future of Western Australia.

Opening hours: Daily, every hour from 10am until 5pm.
Duration: One hour 15 minutes.
Pricing: $23 per adult.

Behind Bars tour

This tour takes visitors back in time through the Main Cell Block and inmate exercise yards. As you walk through the facility in their shoes, you learn about the daily routine of prisoners and the realities of life on the inside.

Opening hours: Daily, every hour from 10.30am until 4.30pm.
Duration: One hour 15 minutes.
Pricing: $23 per adult.

peeking through a small hole in the corridor of Fremantle Prison — Get a glimpse of Fremantle Prison’s fascinating history. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

True Crime tour

For the true crime fanatics, this tour uncovers the real life stories of some of the Prison’s most notorious inmates – from bushrangers, thieves and murderers, to serial killers, bank robbers and escape artists.

Opening hours: Daily, every hour from 11.45am until 4.45pm.
Duration: One hour 15 minutes.
Pricing: $23 per adult.

Tunnels Tour

Not one for the faint-hearted (or claustrophobic), the tunnels tour sees visitors don a hardhat and overalls and descend below the Prison to explore a labyrinth of tunnels built by prisoners.

Guides lead the trek through dry sections of the tunnels on foot, before boarding replica convict punts to explore the submerged passageways accessible only by boat.

Opening hours: Saturdays and Sundays only at 9am, 10.40am, 12.20 pm, 1.40pm, and 3.25pm.
Duration: Two hours 30 minutes.
Pricing: $66 per adult.

the Tunnels Tour at Fremantle Prison — Trek through the tunnels on foot. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Torchlight Tour

Another one for those who are feeling brave, the Torchlight Tour takes visitors to the darkest side of Fremantle Prison. Guides lead you through the prison after dark, regaling you with tales of the loneliness, pain and suffering, of executions gone wrong, of the innocent unjustly imprisoned and the guilty punished.

Opening hours: Every Wednesday and Friday evening – April-Oct from 6.30pm, Nov-March from 7pm.
Duration: One hour 30 minutes.
Pricing: $29 per adult.

the facade of Fremantle Prison — More than 10,000 prisoners have passed through the doors of Fremantle Prison. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Staying at Fremantle Prison

If after all that you still can’t get enough, visitors can also stay overnight at the Prison at the YHA Fremantle Prison – even being able to stay in actual prison cells. If that’s a bit much for you, they have additional purpose-built rooms, either shared dorm-style or private rooms with ensuites. Whatever you choose, you’ll be staying the night in a UNESCO World Heritage site.

the rooms and corridor inside Fremantle Prison — Sleep in either shared dorm-style or private rooms with ensuites. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

What you need to know

Fremantle Prison is open seven days a week. It’s centrally located in Fremantle, a short walk from Fremantle Train Station, the cappuccino trip and Fishing Boat Harbour. Book your tours in advance.

a man going down the tunnel at Fremantle Prison — A visit to Fremantle Prison is guaranteed to astonish history buffs. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle.
Opening hours: 9am–5pm, seven days a week.
Price: Entry to Fremantle Prison Gatehouse is free and includes access to the Convict Café, Gift Shop, Prison Gallery, Convict Depot and Museum. Tours incur an additional charge.

Prefer to stay elsewhere? Check out our guide to the most charming Airbnbs in Fremantle.

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com

The ultimate guide to visiting the fascinating Fremantle Prison