Visiting Fremantle Prison

If you’ve recently moved to Perth or you’re still settling into life in Western Australia, chances are Fremantle is already on your must-visit list. And honestly, it should be.

Fremantle has such a unique atmosphere. It’s one of those places that somehow manages to feel relaxed, historic, artsy, coastal, and slightly chaotic all at once. There’s always something happening there.

But one of the biggest attractions in Freo has to be Fremantle Prison.

We’ve visited twice so far and done the Behind Bars tour both times. What surprised me most was how different each experience felt. We saw different areas of the prison, heard different stories, and learnt new things on both visits. It definitely isn’t one of those attractions you only need to do once.

The guides were absolutely brilliant both times too. Super knowledgeable, passionate about the prison’s history, and genuinely hilarious throughout the tour. Considering the dark history of the place, they somehow manage to balance informative storytelling with humour really well.

If you’re wondering whether Fremantle Prison is worth visiting, the answer from me is absolutely yes – more than once too!

My Tips On Visiting Fremantle Prison

Getting To Fremantle Prison

One of the best things about visiting Fremantle Prison is how easy it is to get to, especially if you’re living in Perth.

The prison is located right in the heart of Fremantle, only a short walk from the main Fremantle café strip and shopping areas. If you’re driving, it takes around 30 minutes from Perth CBD depending on traffic. From the northern suburbs where we live it’s about 45-60 minutes depending where you are coming from.

There’s paid parking available nearby, although it can get quite busy on weekends and during school holidays. We usually try to get there slightly earlier in the day to avoid parking stress because Freo can become hectic very quickly once the crowds arrive. We aim to park in the Parry Street Car Park as it has reasonable all day rates which make it worthwhile for such a central location.

If you don’t feel like driving, the train is honestly one of the easiest options. The Fremantle Line runs directly from Perth to Fremantle Station, and from there it’s roughly a 10-minute walk uphill to the prison.

The walk itself is actually quite nice. You pass cafés, old buildings, street art, and plenty of little spots worth stopping at along the way.

If you’ve recently moved to Perth and are still getting used to the public transport system, Fremantle is one of the easiest day trips to tackle without needing to drive.

A Brief History Of Fremantle Prison

Even if you’re not usually into history, the stories behind Fremantle Prison are genuinely fascinating.

The prison was built by convicts in the 1850s and operated as a functioning prison right up until 1991. It’s now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most significant convict-era sites in Australia.

Over the years, Fremantle Prison housed convicts transported from Britain in the 1800s, maximum-security prisoners, wartime detainees, and some of Australia’s most notorious criminals.

The prison’s history is honestly intense.

You hear stories about harsh punishments, escape attempts, riots, solitary confinement, executions, and the brutal conditions prisoners faced over the years. I even learned on our most recent tour that children as young as 8 years old were held here – that’s wild!

Walking through the prison cells really puts things into perspective. Some of the spaces are tiny. Dark. Cold. Uncomfortable. It’s hard to imagine people spending years of their lives there.

One thing I really appreciated during the tour was that it never felt overly dramatised. The guides present the history in a way that’s engaging and respectful while still being entertaining.

And because the guides all seem to have their own storytelling styles, each tour feels slightly different.

Why Fremantle Prison Is Worth Visiting More Than Once

I genuinely think Fremantle Prison is one of those attractions that gets better with repeat visits.

Normally once I’ve visited somewhere, especially a historical site, I feel like I’ve “done it”. But Fremantle Prison surprised me.

Even though we did the same Behind Bars tour twice, we still learnt new stories and visited different sections of the prison during our second visit.

Some guides focus more on convict history. Others lean more into prison escapes, riots, or famous inmates. It keeps the experience fresh.

The personalities of the tour guides also make a huge difference.

Both of our guides were fantastic. Very passionate. Very funny. And clearly incredibly knowledgeable about the prison’s history. Our first guide appeared to have a very serious and boring demeanour but as soon as the tour started, his talk was peppered with humourous notes which made us laugh most of the way round.

You can tell the guides genuinely enjoy what they do, which makes the experience far more engaging than just listening to someone recite facts from a script.

I’d honestly go again. And next time I’d probably convince myself to finally try one of the other tours too. Maybe.

Fremantle Prison Tour Options

There are quite a few tour options available at Fremantle Prison, depending on how brave you’re feeling.

The Behind Bars tour is the one we’ve done both times and I’d highly recommend it if it’s your first visit. It gives you a really good overview of the prison’s history and takes you through the main cell blocks and prison areas. I didn’t actually realise not all of the tours take you through the main cell blocks, so if it’s your first visit, this is probably the best tour to take.

Then there’s the Torchlight Tour. Absolutely not for me.

I’m far too much of a scaredy cat for that kind of thing. The idea of wandering around an old prison in the dark while hearing ghost stories and creepy prison tales sounds terrifying.

But if you enjoy spooky experiences, it’s apparently one of the most popular tours they offer.

The Tunnels Tour also looks incredible. This one takes you 20 metres underneath the prison through the old tunnel systems used for waterways and built by the convicts themselves. You get to travel by boat through parts of the tunnels. It honestly looks amazing. But I’m not great in small enclosed spaces, so I’m not sure I’d cope particularly well on this tour – maybe one day!

There are also True Crime and Convict Prison tours and other seasonal experiences depending on the time of year.

One thing I’d definitely recommend is booking in advance, especially during weekends, holidays, or tourist season because tours can sell out quickly. Some yours you can only book on the day, so we tend to head there for opening and book tickets on the tour we want to go on, in case it sells out later. Some tours can’t be booked online, so bear this in mind when planning your visit.

Ticket Pricing

Ticket prices vary depending on which tour you choose.

The standard Behind Bars tour is usually the most affordable option and is great value considering how much you see and learn during the experience.

Specialty tours like the Tunnels Tour or Torchlight Tour tend to cost more because they’re longer and involve smaller group sizes or more unique experiences.

Family tickets are also available, which helps if you’re visiting with children.

Personally, I think the pricing is pretty reasonable for one of Perth’s most iconic attractions.

The tours are well organised, professionally run, and genuinely interesting. It doesn’t feel like one of those tourist attractions where you leave thinking it was overpriced.

I’d definitely suggest checking the official Fremantle Prison website before visiting though because pricing, tour schedules, and availability can change throughout the year.

What To Expect During Your Visit

One thing that surprised me during our first visit was just how big the prison actually is.

From the outside, you know it’s large. But once you start walking through the different buildings, exercise yards, corridors, and cell blocks, you realise how massive the site really is.

Some parts feel eerie.

Others are oddly beautiful in a historic sort of way.

The limestone walls, old architecture, rusted gates, and preserved prison cells create a really atmospheric experience.

You’ll probably do a fair amount of walking during the tours too, so comfortable shoes are definitely a good idea.

Some sections can also feel quite warm during summer because of the enclosed buildings and Perth heat. Going in summer? Don’t forget your sunnies! The glare off the limestone is intense!

Photography is allowed in many areas, which is great because there are so many interesting details throughout the prison.

If you enjoy history, photography, architecture, or unusual attractions, you’ll probably love it.

Things To Do Near Fremantle Prison

One of the best things about visiting Fremantle Prison is that you can easily turn it into a full day out in Fremantle.

After the tour, we usually head straight for food because somehow prison tours make you weirdly hungry.

Fremantle is packed with cafés, restaurants, pubs, bakeries, and coffee shops. There’s honestly something for every budget and vibe.

You’ve also got the Fremantle Markets nearby, which are always fun to wander through. Especially if you’ve got visitors from overseas staying with you.

The Cappuccino Strip is great for people-watching and coffee stops.

Bathers Beach is only a short drive away if you want to finish the day with ocean views.

You can also explore:

• The Round House
• WA Maritime Museum
• Fishing Boat Harbour
• Little Creatures Brewery
• South Beach
• Fremantle Arts Centre

Fremantle is one of those places where you can arrive with no real plans and still end up having a fantastic day.

Can You Visit Fremantle Prison With Kids?

This probably depends on your children’s ages and personalities.

Some parts of the prison history are obviously quite dark, and younger children may find certain stories or areas a little scary.

That said, older kids and teenagers who enjoy history or unusual experiences would probably find it fascinating.

The guides do a good job of reading the room and adjusting the tone slightly depending on the group.

I probably wouldn’t recommend the Torchlight Tour for younger children unless they genuinely love spooky experiences. There is an age limit of 10 and older for this tour.

For the Tunnels Tour, there is a minimum age of 12, and children aged 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult. Children aged 16 and 17 must have declaration forms signed by a parent or guardian, but can partake in the tour without an adult present.

But the standard Behind Bars tour should be fine for most families. We had children as young as 8 on the tour with us and they seemed to enjoy it, although they were a little concerned that children their own age had been sent there!

Fremantle Prison Concerts And Events

One thing many people don’t realise is that Fremantle Prison also hosts concerts and events. It would be such an incredible venue for live music.

We actually had tickets to see Stereophonics there last year and were absolutely gutted when it got cancelled. The atmosphere would have been amazing.

The prison courtyard transforms into an outdoor concert space during certain events, and the historic setting would make it feel really unique compared to normal music venues.

Definitely keep an eye on upcoming events because it’s such a cool place to experience live entertainment in Perth.

If you’re living in Perth or settling into life in Western Australia, Fremantle Prison is absolutely worth adding to your list.

It’s fascinating, well-run, surprisingly entertaining, and packed with history. Whether you’re interested in convict history, true crime stories, architecture, or simply exploring more of WA, it’s one of those attractions that really stands out.

The fact we’ve already visited twice says a lot. And honestly, I’d happily go again.

If you’re looking for more ideas on places to explore around Perth and WA, make sure you check out my other blog posts like Lavender Estate and Rottnest Island.