Old favourite ... Fremantle Harbour,which hosted the 1987 America’s Cup.Credit:Tourism WA
Why go?
On the mouth of the Swan River south of Perth,Freo has a thriving cafe culture,popular markets,boutique shopping,museums,art galleries and a relaxed coastal vibe. It's where the west has fun.
What's it known for?
Fremantle hit the world stage when it hosted the America's Cup in 1987,but its real claim to fame is that it's the oldest European settlement in Western Australia and one of the best-preserved 19th-century seaports anywhere. More than 150 buildings are classified by the National Trust,including a 12-sided tower at the end of High Street on Arthur Head that was built as a jail in 1831. Named the Round House,it is open daily from 10.30am-3.30pm. Entry is free.
What you didn't know
Fremantle's favourite son is Bon Scott,the lead singer of AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980. Scott lived in Fremantle as a teenager and even spent time as a guest in Fremantle Prison. His grave in Fremantle Cemetery is visited by thousands of fans each year and was given a heritage listing in 2006. In 2008,a statue of a singing Scott in his trademark skin-tight jeans was erected at the Fishing Boat Harbour.
What's new?
The Duyfken,a replica of the first European sailing ship to visit Australia,is back where it came from in its home port of Fremantle. Taking four years to build,the tall ship was launched in 1999 and spent the past 12 years at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney when not sailing around the world.
The original Duyfken,or"Little Dove",was owned by the Dutch East India Company and was searching for gold and spices in the waters south-east of Papua New Guinea. It was under the command of Willem Janszoon in 1606 when those on board sighted the northern coast of Australia. They were the first Europeans to put the continent on the mediaeval map. The Duyfken is moored in the Fishing Boat Harbour and is open to the public from 10am-4pm on weekdays and 10am-5pm at weekends. Tickets are $10 an adult,$5 for children,and $25 for families.duyfken.com.