Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison is a 19th-century prison complex in Fremantle, Western Australia, originally constructed with convict labour. The site is recognised for its role in Australia’s convict-era history and later as a colonial and state gaol.

Tours take visitors through preserved cellblocks, exercise yards and custodial areas, explaining daily life for convicts and later prisoners. Interpreted spaces cover punishment, escape attempts and the prison’s operational history.

The prison was constructed in the mid-19th century using convict labour and remained in use as a custodial facility into the late 20th century, closing as an active prison in 1991. It has since been conserved and opened for heritage tours.

Situated in Fremantle near the city centre, the site lies on the coast at the mouth of the Swan River, approximately 19 kilometres southwest of Perth’s central business district.

• Convict-built and World Heritage: Built by convict labour in the 1850s and in use as a working prison until 1991, it is part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage listing.

What to See #

• Cellblocks: The main cellblocks, where original cells and exercise yards are preserved and interpreted for visitors during guided tours.
• Gatehouse and gallows: The gatehouse and execution area, including interpreted spaces that explain prison discipline and capital punishment in the site's operational period.