Fremantle Prison Museum

Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia

Website: https://www.fremantleprison.com.au

Admission: Paid guided tours (adult fares vary); see website

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.

Fremantle Prison is in central Fremantle, Western Australia. From Perth CBD take the Transperth Fremantle Line train to Fremantle Station (regular service) - the prison is a walk of around 15-25 minutes from the station depending on pace. By car it’s about 18-20 km southwest of Perth CBD (roughly a 20-30 minute drive in normal traffic); follow Stirling Highway/State Route into Fremantle and then local streets to the prison precinct.

• Book one of the guided tours (e.g., the basic convict tour or the tunnel tour) in advance and aim for the first tour of the day - guided slots sell out and early tours are less crowded.
• Use the main prison entrance on The Terrace and arrive 15-20 minutes before your tour start time to complete check-in and security without holding up your group.
• If tunnel or after-dark tours are your priority, reserve well ahead; those specialized tours are limited and frequently close out on weekends and holidays.