Fremantle, WA
5.3 km (2.5 hrs )
★★★★☆

Fremantle is located at the mouth of the Swan River and was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829. The city was named after Captain Charles Fremantle, an English naval officer who claimed the west coast of New Holland as British territory. The city grew during the 1890's after its harbour was deepened for shipping at the height of the Western Australian gold rushes. Rapid development followed and gave rise to an Edwardian precinct, now a well-preserved architectural heritage for which Fremantle is renowned.

The well preserved historic buildings are a key attraction of Fremantle, and a photographer's delight. I also very much enjoyed the WA Shipwrecks Museum, with it's fascinating displays of the historic ships that had visited this coastline. The galleries house hundreds of relics from ships wrecked along WA’s treacherous coastline, including the original timbers from Batavia (wrecked in 1629).

No visit to Fremantle would be complete without a visit to the historic Fremantle Markets (1897). I just wish that I had more time to explore the equally fascinating convict built Fremantle Prison (1850) and Maritime Museum.