The Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour

The Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour - Established 1919.

The Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour is a working port so there is always something happening on the wharf. Indulge in one of the many seafood restaurants overlooking the water, or stroll around the fish markets looking at frozen crustaceans. Watch people moor big boats, and then order seafood dishes more expensive than your house. Relax on Bathers Beach and soak up some sun, and local history at the same time.

Statue of a Fisherman.

A statue honouring the guys who
bring home the "fish and chips".

Bathers Beach.

Bathers Beach: Swimming is still possible at this beach, though being located near a busy port, expect the odd piece of ship (flotsam) to float by. Take a short walk up the beach, and visit the historic Round House. This strange structure was the first gaol in the colony, and is the oldest building in Western Australia. Find out more on the Round House page. The big building that looks like an upturned boat is the Western Australian Maritime Museum. Don't confuse it with the Shipwreck Galleries located in the Fishing Boat Harbour. Having such a rich maritime history, we have a museum devoted entirely to the ships that sunk. Most of them were Dutch trading vessels from the Dutch East India Company. Read their story on the Dutch Shipwrecks page.

McPerth - Do you want a restaurant with that? Our first settlers waded ashore at Bathers Beach in 1829, after disembarking from the Parmelia. McDonalds now operate a restaurant on the landing site. They also run one in the city, over the theoretical location of our official Foundation Day Ceremony. McDonalds have a strong historical link with Perth.

McPerth

Staking a claim on future historical sites.

Family Seafood Restaurants.

Fish and Chip Restaurants surround the Boardwalk.

The Shipwreck Galleries.

The Shipwreck Galleries - Located in the old Commissariat Building.

A visit to the Shipwreck Galleries in Fremantle will leave you with an uneasy sinking feeling. Be sure to check out the Dutch ship Batavia, which sunk during 1629, in the Abrolhos Islands. It has been partially reconstructed from recovered timbers, and looks mysterious in the semi darkness of the gallery. The story of the Batavia is a gruesome tale of shipwreck and mutiny. After being shipwrecked on a small treeless island group, the Commander sailed north in a tiny boat to Batavia (Jakarta) for help. Meanwhile, a few nasty types, brutally murdered 125 of the 250 shipwreck survivors. Horrible stuff. The skeletal remains of one of the victims is now on display, to specifically scare young school children.

Batavia Gallery showing the Batavia and a Stone Portico (cargo).

Batavia Stern Section.

The Batavia Gallery.

					WARNING! The Shipwreck Galleries are a working museum, so please treat all the exhibits with respect. This unfortunate visitor taunted a restored naval canon, and spent the remainder of her day spread evenly over the other exhibits. The pictured cannon was recovered from the Dutch ship Zuytdorp. Regretfully, the visitor was never recovered.
	Looking down the barrel.		KABOOM!

Visit the Dutch Shipwrecks Page to get the low down, on the Dutch Ships that went down.

Esplanade Park - Fish and Chip Recovery Zone.

After a busy morning exploring the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, why not chillout on the grass in Esplanade Park. The park has many tall Norfolk Pine trees, originally planted to provide masts for damaged sailing ships. Today the trees are used for shade, by people sleeping off a big meal of fish and chips.