Fremantle is the port city for Perth which is the capital of Western Australia. Both cities sit on the Swan River; Perth at the head and Fremantle at the mouth to the Southern Ocean. Not only a vibrant port city, Fremantle is also a college town and famous for its fascinating maritime and convict history as well as its heritage buildings. Established May 2, 1829 by Captain Charles Fremantle and settled by the first contingent of immigrants in June of 1829, it was declared a city in 1929. The capital city, Perth, began in August 1829. The first convicts arrived in Fremantle on June 1, 1850. But it was the Western Australia gold rush of the late 1800s that transformed both Fremantle and Perth into bustling centers of trade. The wealth generated during this period resulted in the beautiful Victorian buildings that are so admired today. During WWII, Fremantle was the home of the largest base for Allied submarines in the Southern Hemisphere. Up to 125 US subs operated out of Fremantle until the Americans moved forward to the Philippines.
On the dock in Fremantle, Western Australia where the shopping mall is directly across the street and accessible by a bridge over the railroad tracks.View of the town from the ship. Fremantle is a charming and highly walkable town.The Western Australia Maritime Museum.The HMAS Ovens at the Maritime MuseumThis is the bow with its 6 missile bays. We have no idea why it woud have been detached from the rest of the sub. Maybe just to show the missile bays??Statue of C. Y. O’Connor, 1843-1909. O’Connor was the Engineer-in-Chief 1891-1909. He designed and constructed the Fremantle Harbour, the Goldfields Water Supply, and all Railways and other public works throughout Western Australia.Round House c. 1830, the oldest remaining structure in Fremantle. Originally designed as a prison and used as such until 1851 when the first convict settlers arrived from Britain. They built the new and larger Fremantle prison themselves!Looking from the Round House down High Street with the amazing art installation comprised of yellow tape and paint.Note the modern apartments built behind a preserved facade.High Street is the area of Notre Dame CollegeFront of the Espanade Hotel built in the heyday of the gold rush era.Fremantle Market opened in 1897 to provide handicrafts, fish, vegetables and specialty foods along with dining halls. It has been in continuous operation ever since.Now this is a clever idea to increase sales. They sell these for $17.00 each! You buy the book sight unseen; but may return it for another if you have already read it. I wonder how many they actually sell?!?I took this photo because we have friends who operated an architectural design studio with a shop attached. It, too, was named the Archive because the building our friends had restored was originally a Library.Fremantle Railroad Station with service to Perth every 15 minutes. It’s a 30 minute trip and we paid $4.70/pp each way.Perth Town Hall Clock Tower (left) & Bell Tower behind (center). The Bell tower c.1989, houses 12 original 14th century bells donated by St. Martins -in-the-Fields in London.Murray Street Pedestrian MallStreet performers in Hay Street Pedestrian MallHay Street Pedestrian MallThe Old Post Office is now the H&M Department store. Nearly all of the original old buildings have been repurposed. It is a charming contrast to the new skyscrapers going up.the old and the newThis is a pleasant walkway that bridges the city with the railroad station. Very convenient. 30 minutes later, we were back in Fremantle.We re-boarded the ship for a 5:00pm sail-away and saw this–a sheep ship! The sheep are loaded into those bays for transport. Wool is big business in Australia!And then, we departed for our next adventure.
We have concluded our adventure Down under. Now, we are on our way to Bali, Indonesia.
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