HMS Challenger brought the first Europeans to the mouth of the Swan River in 1829. Today, it still serves as Perth's port while preserving many historic buildings. Getting here from Perth is also quite easy with frequent train service and a 25-minute journey.Upon exiting Fremantle Station, historic buildings were already lining along Phillimore Street towards the Indian Ocean.
The town centre's streets were quiet on a weekday.
Located on top of a cliff, the 12-sided Roundhouse was built by convict labour in 1831 to house convicts. A tunnel was carved through the cliff underneath in the mid-1800s to access ships moored just offshore.
Bathers Bay next door was not busy on this winter day.
The WA Shipwrecks Museum is located in a historic building from the 1850s. Displaying shipwreck relics from the western Australian coast, its star exhibition is the Batavia, a Dutch VOC ship that was excavated in the 1970s.
There is enough to keep busy for a few hours, but I was in a rush to cover a lot of ground on my day trip so I had to glance through the impressive collection.
By now, it was time to grab a bite. Cicerello's has over a century of serving fish n chips and has plenty of waterfront seating facing Fishing Boat Harbour. The Australians don't pour ketchup over their chips but use vinegar instead.
After lunch, head across the street past Freo Park for more restored historic buildings along Marine Terrace.
With a history of over a hundred years, Fremantle Market is easily visible as a landmark. The red and white Victorian building is only open from Fridays to Sundays.
Next door is another colourful icon - Scots Presbyterian Church.
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