Heritage buildings, waterfront views, vibrant streets, colourful characters and an always-evolving food and drink scene—there’s no place quite like . An old soul of a city to the south of Perth, the many nooks and crannies of Freo are bursting at the seams with things to do, eat and explore.
With a little help from the Freo locals at , we’ve whipped up a go-to guide for an action-packed, culinary-filled weekend in Fremantle.
Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Perth’s charming portside city (including the all-important day trip to ).
Day 1 — AM
But first, coffee! Before all else, it’s important to be suitably caffeinated. Coffee culture is, and has always been, an important part of Fremantle's unique blend. Perth's port city seems like it might grind to a halt without it, but luckily there’s plenty of cafes slinging piping hot cups of Joe.
at The Old Synagogue has sanctioned breakfast dumplings. Start the day sweet with crepes at , or have brunch by the beach at .
With a full tummy and an espresso or two under your belt, the Fremantle walking tours with and are a great way to learn a bit about Freo’s rich history while getting your steps up for the day. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, take a tour of the labyrinth of tunnels underneath the .
Working up a thirst? has regular tastings and tours of their urban distillery. You can even take things up a notch with Republic’s , a two-hour masterclass where you’ll leave with your very own custom-distilled gin.
On the shopping front, you’ll find top brands and hidden gems at the many boutiques (, ooh la la) and vintage stores (, ) littered around town. For a one-stop-shop, the iconic, historic deliver fresh coffee, fruit and veg, trinkets, homewares, fashion and more on the Cappuccino Strip.
Day 1 — PM
After a spot of shopping it’s time to refuel (and rehydrate), starting at the southern end of South Terrace. Pop into South Fremantle staple for impeccable laissez-faire service, refined seafood-leaning small plates and lo-fi drops from the 170-strong wine list. With some light lubrication, you’ll be ready to saunter down the street and begin the journey into the heart of Freo for supper, making emergency beverage breaks at pubs and .
By now it’ll be just about dinner time, and the options are endless. Freo’s huge range of restaurants covers cuisines from all corners of the globe, from fancy French fare at to fragrant, flavourful Indonesian at .
For no-nonsense spaghetti and service, fourth-generation family-owned-and-run restaurant is an iconic Freo institution worthy of its stripes. The menu (and the interiors) have changed very little since the '50s—think steaming slabs of lasagne, penne napoletana and spaghetti alla bolognese with parmesan piled sky-high.
While we’re on the Italian train, is another one slinging some of Freo’s very best. This stunning pasta paradise summons serious wine drinkers with its huge range of top-tier drops and pasta aficionados thanks to its always-al dente house-made tagliatelle osso buco, best paired with a silky glass of pinot.
Prefer noodles over gnocchi? and both do Asian fusion very, very well, while bowls of ramen are among the best in Perth.
With a thriving small bar scene, you’re going to want to save room for a nightcap. Explore , , , , and cool-kid hangout before calling it a night. Rest up in style at one of the top local spots—our picks for a solid night's sleep are the , , or .
Day 2 — Rottnest Island/Wadjemup Takeover
Top of the morning! After a potent espresso and breaky bagel at , it’s time to head on over to via the easy, efficient or ferry.
Affectionately known as Rotto (note: locals never call it Rotty…we’re looking at you, east-coasters) a day on this special island is essential for any Freo itinerary. Hop-on hop-off shuttle buses run all day to get you around the 19-square-kilometre island, but for the ultimate Rotto experience, we recommend seeing it all on two wheels.
Hire a bike and beach hop, stopping for snorkelling, swimming and sunscreen applications. The turquoise-blue waters and squeaky white sands of Rotto’s bucket-list beaches need to be seen to be believed, and the ever-popular swimming spot The Basin should be your first stop.
Your Rottnest/Wadjemup itinerary should include stopping in to learn about the harrowing history of the island at the , playing a game of barefoot bowls at the R.I.G.C. Clubhouse, and of course —but take care to just look and not touch. These cute, fuzzy marsupials are found almost nowhere else in the world and we want to them living happy, healthy lives on Rottnest.
All that cycling and swimming will no doubt build you up an appetite. The bakery provides affordable lunches in the form of pies and salad rolls, but there’s so many more dining options on the island. Enjoy fresh, local seafood at the refined Italian beachside bar and restaurant , or settle in for a pizza and a pint at .
Upon your return to the mainland, hop off the ferry and wander into for a craft beer and epic views of the famous Freo sunset. For a late dinner, pull up a pew on sprawling veranda and people watch over a glass of vino. Their impressive wall of wine features over 300 bottles of weird and wonderful wines from boutique producers near and far.
Having fun?! This is just a taste of what’s on offer in charming Fremantle. Before your next trip to Freo, check out . You’re going to want to extend your stay.
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Images: Little Loaf, Fremantle Prison, Fremantle Markets, Vin Populi, Rottnest Island, and Isola