Fremantle Prison

A place of incarceration for 136 years, Fremantle Prison is one of Western Australia's most historical tourist hot spots.

Built by convicts in the 1850's (yes, they had to make their own prison), who were transported to Fremantle from Europe and played a crucial role in establishing the Swan River Settlement by providing labour to keep the colony from crippling.

Conditions inside cells from the beginning were bare and continued this way until the jails closure in 1991. Cells lacked bathrooms. Each inmate, however, was entitled to their very own 'poo bucket', which remained in their cell whenever they needed to 'go'. To make matters worse, the prison had little to no airflow, which meant the cells could reach 50+ degrees and create a rather unpleasant smell. Today, the scent is gone, and Fremantle Prison is used for guided tours and live events that showcase its rich history.

Each tour provides a unique perspective on how the convicts functioned daily, rewards they received for labouring, the daring few who tried to escape, and the physical and/or psychological punishments endured for breaking the rules.

Adventure-seekers can descend twenty metres below the prison on a "Tunnels Tour" that explores a labyrinth of tunnels built by prisoners, which today is only accessible by boat deep inside the bowels of the prison.

Alternatively, those who wish to stay above ground can examine the darker side of Fremantle Prison on the "Torchlight Tour" to wander the grounds after dark, listening to the gruesome stories of the prisons past. It's a tour not for the faint-hearted, from the innocent who were unjustly imprisoned to executions gone wrong.

Fremantle Prison also hosts regular art exhibitions in the prison gallery showcasing artwork created by prisoners currently incarcerated in Western Australian jails. There is also stay over accommodation on-site, and the prison can be hired for private events, including weddings in the prison chapel. Plus, during summer, the courtyard plays host to live music and cinema under the stars which will begin again in 2023 after a year hiatus. 

What's On?

"30 Years: Unlocked" is an exhibition that celebrates the individuals, organisations and groups who have worked towards the conservation and interpretation of the Fremantle Prison site for the past 30 years (until 5 Feb 2023).

Photo credit: Fremantle Prison / Cinema image - Kamil Szczucki