Fremantle Prison | Perth

Fremantle Prison – Western Australia’s Historic Convict Site

Fremantle Prison isn’t just an old jail—it’s a fascinating and eerie window into Australia’s convict past. Built by convicts in the 1850s, this World Heritage-listed site served as a high-security prison for almost 140 years, housing everyone from petty criminals to infamous bushrangers and serial killers. Today, it’s one of Perth’s most popular attractions, offering chilling tours, escape stories, underground tunnels, and even ghost hunts.

Whether you’re a history buff, thrill-seeker, or just curious about Australia’s darker past, Fremantle Prison is a must-visit.

Getting There & Accessibility

Location: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle, WA

Distance from Perth: About 20 km (12 miles) southwest of the city

Travel Time: Around 30 minutes by car or train

Best Way to Visit:

By Train: Take the Fremantle Line from Perth Station (30-minute ride). The prison is a 10-minute walk from Fremantle Station.

By Car: Free and paid parking available nearby.

By Bus: Several routes stop near the prison, including the free Fremantle CAT bus.

What Makes Fremantle Prison So Special?

Western Australia’s only UNESCO World Heritage-listed building.

The best-preserved convict-built structure in the state.

Home to some of Australia’s most dangerous criminals.

Guided tours with fascinating (and often terrifying) stories.

Tunnels beneath the prison where convicts worked underground.

A notorious execution chamber where hangings took place.

Top Experiences at Fremantle Prison

1. Doing Time Tour – The Prisoner Experience

If you want to get a real feel for life behind bars, this is the tour for you. Led by expert guides, you’ll explore:

The eerie prison cells, including some with original inmate graffiti.

The exercise yards, where prisoners passed their time.

The whipping post, where brutal punishments were carried out.

The kitchen, chapel, and solitary confinement cells.

Tales of legendary escapes and riots.

You’ll hear stories of real prisoners, from hardened criminals to wrongly convicted men, and learn what life was like in a prison with no electricity, running water, or heating for over a century.

Tour duration: About 1 hour 15 minutes.

2. Tunnels Tour – Underground Adventure

For a totally different experience, take a journey beneath the prison into a maze of secret tunnels. These were built by convicts in the 1800s to access freshwater supplies—but now, they’re one of Fremantle’s most unique attractions.

Walk through dark underground passageways, some just 1.5 meters high.

Paddle a boat through flooded tunnels—yes, you actually have to row.

Learn about convict labor and their grueling underground work.

Tour duration: About 2.5 hours (includes safety briefing and gear).
Fitness level: Moderate (you’ll need to climb ladders and paddle a boat).

3. Torchlight Tour – A Spine-Chilling Nighttime Experience

If you love ghost stories, eerie vibes, and dark history, don’t miss the Torchlight Tour—one of Australia’s scariest prison tours.

Explore the prison at night, armed only with a torch.

Hear true stories of murders, ghost sightings, and paranormal activity.

Visit death row and the gallows, where executions took place.

Walk through pitch-black corridors with flickering lights and creepy noises.

Some visitors have reported feeling sudden chills, hearing unexplained whispers, or even seeing shadowy figures.

Tour duration: 1.5 hours.
Warning: Not for the faint-hearted. Minimum age: 10 years.

4. Behind Bars – Meet the Prisoners

Ever wondered who was locked up here? The Behind Bars Tour tells the stories of some of the most notorious inmates, including:

Moondyne Joe – Western Australia’s most famous escape artist, who kept breaking out of prison.

Eric Edgar Cooke – Perth’s first known serial killer, who terrorized the city in the 1960s.

David and Catherine Birnie – The state’s most infamous serial killer couple.

Brenden Abbott, "The Postcard Bandit" – One of Australia’s most skilled escape artists.

You’ll also see prison graffiti, secret messages, and inmate artwork.

Tour duration: 1 hour 15 minutes.

5. The Gallows – Where Executions Took Place

Fremantle Prison had Western Australia’s only legal execution chamber, where 43 men and one woman were hanged.

Walk through the eerie, silent execution room.

See the actual noose used in hangings.

Learn about the last execution in 1964.

For many visitors, this is the most chilling part of the tour.

Other Things to See at Fremantle Prison

Prison Art Gallery – Paintings and drawings by former inmates.

Prison Café – Enjoy a coffee in a real prison yard.

Gift Shop – Buy convict-themed souvenirs.

When’s the Best Time to Visit?

Any time of year – Fremantle has a mild climate, so the prison is great to visit all year round.

For the full experience – Visit during the day for the historical tours and return at night for the ghost tours.

Halloween and Friday the 13th – The Torchlight Tour is extra spooky on these nights.

Fun Facts About Fremantle Prison

It was originally built by convicts in the 1850s to house other convicts.

The walls are made of limestone, and they kept prisoners boiling hot in summer and freezing in winter.

It had no proper plumbing until the 20th century—prisoners had to use buckets instead of toilets.

Some prisoners tattooed themselves with ink from ballpoint pens.

The most famous escapee, Moondyne Joe, was given his own special cell—but still managed to break out.

Final Thoughts – Why You Should Visit Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison isn’t just a historic site—it’s an unforgettable experience. The stories, the chilling atmosphere, the underground tunnels, and the ghostly legends make it one of Western Australia’s most fascinating places to visit. Whether you love history, true crime, or a good scare, there’s a tour for you.

It’s a place where you can feel the past come alive, standing in the same cold cells and execution rooms where prisoners once stood. Haunting, intriguing, and completely unique—Fremantle Prison is a must-see when you visit Western Australia.