Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Prison
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksHistory Museums
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Fremantle Prison is one of Western Australia’s premier tourist attractions and the only World Heritage listed building in the State.The Prison was built by convicts in the 1850s and was used as a place of incarceration for almost 140 years. With solitary cells and gallows Fremantle Prison is a monument to a system of punishment that is uncomfortably recent. Fremantle Prison now holds the key to history, mystery and fun. Step inside and do time with experienced guides on a fascinating Prison Day Tour. Explore the labyrinth of tunnels 20m beneath the Prison by foot and by boat on a Tunnels Tour adventure. Feeling brave? Delve into the darker side of the Prison’s history on an eerie Torchlight Tour.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Fremantle
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See what travellers are saying
  • Jo
    Brisbane, Australia101 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Terrific Tour
    We did the two tour package of the Convict Tour and the Behind Bars Tour. They go brilliantly together and well with the $32 package deal. The tours were 75 minutes each and led by informative guides who were happy to answer questions along the way. It was amazing and actually very disturbing to see that the cells made by and for convicts in the 1800s were still being used as gaol cells as recently as 1991. The combo of the two tours gave a wide overview of the full history from convicts to 1991 and allowed us to see a lot. Very much suggest doing both of these tours together and they can be done straight after one another to make a seamless morning. There are other tours as well.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 October 2023
  • George
    Shenyang, China7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A step back to the beginnings of Fremantle.
    Fabulous time learning about the history and origins of the prison. We joined the "Convict Prison Tour" and had we more time would probably join the other tours as well. Lots of interesting history and stories bringing the prison back to life in the past.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 13 October 2023
  • Brendo67
    Carramar, Australia113 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fremantle Prison Tunnel Tour
    We braved the tunnel tour... really interesting experience. We had a safety briefing first, then kitted out in abseiling gear, we descended down a deep shaft to access the tunnels underneath the prison. Walked through the tunnels first, experienced how dark & quiet (& spooky) it is when the lights were turned out... then moved onto a kayak & paddled/pushed/pulled our way through the water filled tunnels. A unique experience, our tour leader Chris was very amusing too. Would highly recommend.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 16 October 2023
  • woahwoah
    7 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting prison
    Interesting former prison. Free entry to the gatehouse displays / cafe / gift shop / small art exhibition. There are also several guided tours to choose from in the prison itself, at a reasonable cost. I didn’t do a tour, because they all involved a lot of walking and standing (1 hour +). My husband however enjoyed the tour. It’s perhaps a shame they don’t offer a shorter / easier tour for those of us with mobility problems.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 October 2023
  • rachael
    Sheffield, United Kingdom595 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An absolute must
    We did the ‘Behind bars tour’ and the ‘Tunnels Tour’. Both really good, the tunnels tour is an absolute must. It’s really interactive and Chris our guide was utterly superb. What a fantastic tour guide he is. We highly recommend doing this and visiting the site.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 November 2023
  • Alan W
    Peel, United Kingdom25 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great experience
    We went with a cousin to this old facility in Fremantle. We opted for the triple tours which allowed us to plan in lunch. The guides were very knowledgeable on their subjects, shout out to Matthew our guide on the last tour. There is a lot of interesting history in and around the prison of Western Australia from it's first settlers until 1991 when it closed. Very well worth the visit.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 November 2023
  • DebDavies
    United Kingdom280 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Visit, Can't Wait To Go Back
    Having visited here a few years ago I really wanted to show my partner what a great place this was. The weather was perfect for us on the two occasions that we toured ( we did two different tours on different days ) and the wonderful Janine took us around both times! She really brought the place to life and we were captivated by her stories - I only wish I had gone to see Moondyne Jo's resting place in the graveyard as it turns out one of my rellies ( died in the asylum ) is buried there too ) . Next time Fremantle! Definitely worth a visit as this place is quite fascinating.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 November 2023
  • Brinty1
    Wanaka, New Zealand4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awesome day in jail
    We did the tunnel tour with Tristan as a guide. What a magnificant guide he was and took his tour guiding to a very high level. Unfortunately one of our family members suffered a claustrophobic event, but with true professionalism Tristan handed this over to Simon, another guide who made a great result of our situation. 100% recommend this tour. We laughed the whole time, and had a fantastic experience. Thank you.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 16 November 2023
  • Pippa B
    12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent torchlight tour
    We booked the torchlight 🔦 tour. Very atmospheric and a little spooky. Our guide was excellent, very informative (kept the group moving as we were there on a busy evening). Would recommend a visit, makes you realise just how grim prison life is. I would like to do another tour to see the prison in daylight.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 November 2023
  • Philip H
    14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must do if you’re in Fremantle
    We did the convict tour, which was suggested to us because we are Irish! We had some invested interest in hearing about our ancestors misdemeanours. Karl is an excellent tour guide and a gifted story teller, and kept our attention for the entire tour. He added humour to the tour, which made it so much more enjoyable. He brought us around the prison grounds and told us stories of the convicts, some of which were hilarious and shocking in equal measure. My one criticism is that there is about 35 people in the tour group and at times there is some standing around and waiting for everyone to gather.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles4,298 reviews
Excellent
2,926
Very good
1,141
Average
187
Poor
31
Terrible
13

Lynn W
Langho, UK41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
Having done the ‘behind bars’ and the night tour on previous visits to Perth,we decided to do the tunnels tour this time. We were not disappointed, excellent adventure, very informative and entertaining with our guide who had a great sense of humour. As previous reviews, you do need to be able to manage the climb up and down the ladders, bending and crouching in the tunnels, however our guide didn’t rush anyone and ensured everyone on the tour was safe and okay
Well worth the money
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mathew B
Canberra, Australia26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Our visit to Fremantle Prison was a journey through time, thanks to the Convict Tour. We were initially unsure about which tour to choose, but the Convict Tour proved to be an excellent pick as it covered a broad spectrum of the prison's history.

The tour was a deep dive into the prison's past, providing us with a rich understanding of both its early days during the convict era and its more recent history leading up to its closure. Walking through the same corridors and cells that once housed convicts and later, regular inmates, was a truly profound experience.

One minor drawback was the heat we experienced while waiting to start the tour, especially standing in direct sunlight. For future visitors, I'd recommend bringing a hat or sunscreen for protection during this brief waiting period.

While the tour was comprehensive, there were moments where it felt a tad stretched. The prison’s convict history is fascinating, yet it seems they are still fine-tuning the best way to present this aspect. A little more focus on the display and narrative around the convict history could enhance the experience further.

Comparatively, it might not hold the same eerie charm as Port Arthur, but Fremantle Prison has its unique allure and historical significance. Despite the small critiques, it's a visit that's well worth your time.
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wonderful to hear! Thank you for your review. And great advise for future visitors about how hot summer can be in Perth.
Written 17 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ezz84
Adelaide, Australia17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Family
If you haven't been to Fremantle Prison before or your planning a trip to Perth Australia then make sure this is on your list.
I've been here twice now (10yrs apart) and still saw parts of the prison I hadn't seen before.
Our tour guide Brett was brilliant. Very knowledgeable, passionate and funny. He's very good at his job and made the tour all the more worth it.
We did the behind bars tour and convict tour. We will definitely be going back to do another one when we come back to Perth.
All tours are reasonably priced and there is a cafe there if you need refreshments before or after the tours. There are also free galleries you can look at with art, old furniture and machines used back when the prison was open.
Written 17 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sid_Fernwilter
Melbourne, Australia130 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Couples
We really enjoyed our recent tour and this was undoubtedly due to the calibre of our guide Mannie. She is knowledgeable and had a really engaging style which ensured it kept the attention of the group. I really had no idea about the place and it’s history. Your admission fee contributes to the maintenance and ongoing works to reclaim its history.
Written 21 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

D-towner R
Darwin, Australia160 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Family
This was a fabulous evening! We went as an extended family of 8, including with a 13 and 11 year old. Our guide Simon was fabulous! He was informative, funny, kept everyone enthralled on the tour and ensured we all had a safe and enjoyable time. The tour showed us through the many levels/sections of the prison and provided stories and insights of the prison and prisoners along the way. There are actors scattered throughout the tour that spring up at times and these were great - the kids enjoyed listening to their stories and how they interacted with the tour participants. Keep up the great work!
Written 11 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LeeAdelaide
Adelaide, Australia1,026 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
There are a few different tours on offer, something for everyone. We chose the ‘Behind The Bars tour’ (1 hour) as we were with my parents who have some mobility issues and this tour is all on ground level. Annette was our guide, very engaging and a great story teller, we really enjoyed her presentation. There are a few displays to see pre or post the tour and the gift shop had some unique items and reasonable prices. The gallery of art by current prisoners in WA is very impressive and displays great talent. You can do a few different tours in packages which makes it a bit more economical. We enjoyed our experience.
Written 27 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dogface123
Stamford, UK120 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
We spent a couple of hours exploring this place on a guided tour. It was a really interesting place to visit. We had an option of various tours to take and were not disappointed. We got to see the inside of the old prison, see the living conditions, and the area that the prisoners would’ve experienced and how the prison has changed over time. We also saw the execution chair. The tour guide was very informative, knew his stuff, and I would recommend to tour to anyone
Written 10 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kellie H
Brisbane204 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
Due to wet and windy day, I decided to train it from Perth and did 2 tours (back to back) as most would be conducted indoors.
Very interesting and different from Port Arthur tours (if you think they're going to be alike).
Lots of history, great stories told by the tour guides (who are very knowledgeable) and take you to all different parts of the jail, depending upon which tour you undertake.
The churches built within the prison are stunning!
Some stories told are quite brutal but those were the times.
You can walk from the train station or catch the free CAT bus from station and alight at first stop in main st and quick walk up ramp to front entrance of the prison.
Written 19 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jeffryb
Keysborough, Australia366 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
Building of Fremantle Prison commenced in 1851, using convict labour, and was completed in 1859. When I asked why they simply didn't demolish a building which had seen so much sorrow, I was told it was a hand-wrought work of art -- each limestone block is unique. It ceased operating as a prison in 1991, and has since been a tourist attraction. The Prison is one of Fremantle's prime tourist destinations, but it is not really attractive unless you have a taste for the morbid. It's similar to the Old Melbourne Gaol, which also gained a new life as a public curiosity.
Written 11 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lorraine L
Tarwin Lower, Australia3,581 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021
We turned up hoping to do a self guided tour but that wasn't on offer so because there was a guided tour just leaving we decided to take that and we were so glad we did. Moira our guide was a bit of a performer and presented the tour in a very interesting way while imparting lots of information. I think the tour took one and a half hours but the time went really quickly because it was so enjoyable.
Written 19 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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