The Swan River Colony: A Self-Guided Tour of Fremantle
- 1.3–1.8 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Dutch explorers once marvelled at black swans near the mouth of the Swan River, in the area that later became Fremantle. On self-guided audio tour, you’ll explore the historic port town that became Western Australia’s gateway to the world. You’ll also find out how Fremantle went from a struggling colonial outpost to a bustling gold rush hub. This tour starts as soon as you exit the train at the Fremantle Railway Station, once the beginning of WA’s first urban train line. You’ll walk through the heart of the colony, following Market Street and the High Street mall with its stunning examples of Australian colonial architecture. You’ll hear tales of bushrangers who escaped the notorious Fremantle Prison, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site that was built by the very convicts who would be imprisoned within its walls. The tour ends at Arthur Head, where Captain Charles Fremantle first planted the Union Jack in 1829.
Inclusions
What's included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- App for Android and iOS
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
What's not
- Smartphone and headphones
- Transportation
- Food and drink
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Itinerary
Walk from the historic Fremantle Railway Station, once the beginning of Western Australia's first urban train line connecting the port to Perth. Discover how this transportation hub marked the start of Fremantle's transformation from isolated colonial outpost to thriving commercial center.
Pass the National Hotel, standing at the heart of the newly-formed Swan River Colony since the early days of settlement. Explore this historic gathering place where colonists, sailors, and gold prospectors once shared stories of fortune and hardship.
Marvel at the impressive Town Hall Clock Tower, a stunning example of Australian colonial architecture dominating the High Street mall. Admire this Victorian-era landmark that has served as Fremantle's civic heart and community gathering point for over a century.
Visit St John's Anglican Church and hear the story of how this sacred space served the spiritual needs of early settlers. Discover the historic church that witnessed Fremantle's evolution from struggling colony to prosperous port town.
Pass the Old Courthouse, where colonial justice was administered during Fremantle's formative years. Walk by this heritage building that tells tales of bushrangers, maritime disputes, and the legal challenges of frontier life.
Explore the notorious UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison, built by the very convicts who would later be imprisoned within its limestone walls. Discover how convict labor ultimately saved the struggling settlement and hear dramatic tales of bushrangers who escaped from its cells.
Stroll through the historic Fremantle Markets, housed in a building that once served as a 1900s supermarket complete with stables and chicken pens. Experience the vibrant atmosphere where locals and visitors browse fresh produce, crafts, and international foods in this beloved community institution.
Walk along South Terrace and discover how Italian immigrants transformed this street into the famous "Cappuccino Strip." Enjoy the vibrant café culture that brought European coffee traditions to Western Australia and made Fremantle a culinary destination.
Stroll through Esplanade Park, once nothing more than swampy foreshore before European colonisation transformed it into manicured gardens. Enjoy the waterfront green space that now offers stunning views across the harbour and serves as a peaceful retreat.
Visit the Fishing Boat Harbour and pay tribute to AC/DC's legendary frontman Bon Scott at his memorial statue overlooking the water. Experience the working harbour atmosphere where fishing boats still bring in their catches alongside tourist vessels and waterfront restaurants.
Explore the WA Shipwrecks Museum and learn about the tragic Batavia shipwreck of 1629 that led to Australia's first European settlers. Discover maritime artefacts and tales of survival, mutiny, and the treacherous waters that claimed countless vessels along Western Australia's coast.
Marvel at the iconic Round House, Western Australia's oldest standing public building perched dramatically above the ocean. Stand at Arthur Head where Captain Charles Fremantle planted the Union Jack in 1829, officially establishing the Swan River Colony and claiming the land for Britain.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
3.7
- 52
- 40
- 30
- 20
- 11
Ratings come from 3 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- This tour begins at the entrance of the Fremantle Railway Station, near the Whistle Stop. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Fremantle
- Its from-price is 90% below the median of the 42 experiences we list in Fremantle.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 27 of 42.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Fremantle
Fremantle is Perth's old port on the Indian Ocean, a harbour town of limestone and Victorian buildings, a convict prison, markets and coffee-lined streets.
Fremantle sits at the mouth of the Swan River, known to the Noongar people as Walyalup. Its centre keeps a strong stock of nineteenth-century buildings, including the Round House, the oldest surviving public building in Western Australia, and the town hall. Fremantle Prison, built by convicts in the 1850s, is part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage listing.
Top-ranked sights in Fremantle: Round House, Fremantle Markets, WA Shipwrecks Museum.
Special offers in Fremantle
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
