FREMANTLE PRISON

Plan Your Escape!

Are you a history buff or true crime enthusiast? Ever wondered what it would be like to serve time behind bars (and we don’t mean at your local pub!)? Then perhaps it’s time to pay a visit to the World Heritage Listed Fremantle Prison. Come and ‘do time’ on a tour with one of their informative and entertaining expert guides, who will share some intriguing facts and sobering insights into the hardships of prison life. Learn about the gaol’s fascinating history which spans over 140 years. Visit the cells which confined some of Western Australia’s most notorious criminals, and discover for yourself why this well-preserved piece of Australia’s convict history is a serial winner of prestigious tourism awards. There’s no escaping the fact that Fremantle Prison is one of the Perth region’s ‘must-see’ attractions.

History of Fremantle Prison

Formerly known as the Convict Establishment, the solid walls of Fremantle Prison were constructed from limestone quarried on the site by convict labour between 1852-1859. It’s ironic to think that the men who built these imposing walls would subsequently be imprisoned by them. Imperial convicts were first detained within the main block in 1855, and the prison remained continually operational as a place of incarceration until it’s closure in 1991. Over its approximately 140-year history of active service, Fremantle Prison has been a place of detention for men, women and juveniles. It’s vast array of inmates have included imperial convicts, colonial prisoners, enemy aliens, prisoners of war and maximum-security detainees.

Renamed Fremantle Prison in 1867, it is the site of ghastly executions, dramatic prisoner escapes, violent riots, and the subject of several Royal Commission Inquiries. It’s little wonder that its cold stone walls still seem to echo with the haunting memories of its former inmates.

Within the Walls

The heritage-listed Fremantle Prison site occupies around fifteen hectares of land and consists of over twenty buildings. The preserved stone façade of the gatehouse consists of a narrow gate entrance constructed from iron scavenged from shipwrecks, set between two imposing towers reminiscent of thirteen century English castles, and crowned with a clock imported from England. While its domineering appearance serves as a distinctive cultural landmark these days, it’s easy to imagine that its imposing edifice would have proven intimidating to its countless, less willing occupants in times gone by. Enclosed within its 4.6 metre limestone walls you’ll discover a collection of buildings and facilities designed for prison use, including cell blocks, workshops, a prison hospital, exercise yards and officer’s quarters. Under the eastern edge of the prison site lies a network of tunnels cut into the limestone bedrock by convict labour. These tunnels were constructed to provide fresh water from an aquifer to meet the needs of the prison and outside community.

You are also invited to check out the Prison’s Visitor Centre, Convict Depot and Prison Gallery to view historic artefacts and gain additional perspectives on prison life over the years, or drop by the No Escapes Café for a tasty light refreshment.

The Main Cell Block

The centrally located four-storey Main Cell Block was designed to accommodate up to 1,000 prisoners within its cramped quarters. Its confining cells originally measured just 2.1 x 1.2 metres with the most primitive provisions, including buckets for toileting. The main block also housed two chapels, solitary confinement cells and the chilling gallows, Western Australia’s only approved place of execution. As the site of antiquated prison management systems that included cramped confinement, floggings and hangings, it’s no wonder you may still feel a chill up your spine and a lingering sense of the fear, desolation and desperation which pervades the air.

Tour Options

The best way to truly immerse yourself in the dramatic stories and rich history of Fremantle Prison is by joining one of the interactive prison tours led by their team of expert guides. You can choose from a range of tour options and packages designed to help you explore and discover various aspects of prison life. Learn about the prison’s earliest days on the Convict Prison Tour, discover the grim realities of serving a sentence during the Prison’s days as a maximum-security facility on the Behind Bars Tour, or uncover the tales of some of the gaol’s most notorious inmates on the True Crimes Tour. For the brave at heart, a creepy Torchlight Tour (conducted on Wednesday and Friday evenings) is sure to give you chills as your guide exposes sordid stories of the darker side of prison life.

For the active and adventurous, the Tunnel Tour allows you to gear up and descend almost 20 metres underground to explore the labyrinth of passages created by convicts. Tours are conducted on foot and by boat, and bookings are essential. Please note this tour is subject to some age, fitness and ability restrictions.

A Note on Accessibility

Fremantle Prison is currently striving to further improve the accessibility of all aspects of its operations through its Accessibility and Inclusivity Plan, currently under development. However, due to the historic nature of the attraction, some buildings and tours may pose access challenges for visitors with mobility impairment. Some areas of the prison are not accessible via wheelchair, and tours of the premises may involve steps and uneven surfaces, so please take care. However, several initiatives have been introduced to improve access for all. These Include customised tour options for groups including people with disabilities, and free access to AUSLAN handheld guides for hearing impaired visitors. While efforts are being made to improve access for all, some tours and areas are subject to age, fitness or mobility restrictions to ensure visitor safety. So, we’d encourage you to contact the operator directly to discuss your individual needs.

Be sure to lock in a visit to the heritage-listed Fremantle Prison during your next visit to the beautiful Perth region. It would be a crime to miss it!