Fremantle continues to be one of Perth's best weekend escapes, a short drive from the city with genuinely excellent restaurants, an active arts and antiques scene and some of the best boutique accommodation in the state. Here's how we'd spend 48 hours there.
9 am: Arrive in Fremantle: Coffee & Breakfast
First things first, espresso is crucial to start the day. Fremantle has a strong crop of independent roasters, and South Fremantle's Ootong & Lincoln is our pick to start with. The eclectic breakfast and lunch menu leans heavily on vegetarian and vegan options, with a Japanese influence running through several dishes, and the coffee is taken just as seriously as the food.
11 am: Antique Warehouses & Homeware Trail
So it would be rude not to visit some of the amazing antique warehouses while you're down in South Fremantle after breakfast. Take the time to peruse East-West Design, a never-ending warehouse filled to the brim with one-off pieces. From there, take a stroll up South Terrace to see smaller independent stores such as Ginger Morris, along with some of the best op shops in Perth.
1 pm: Lunch In South Fremantle
Before heading back up to the main drag, stop for lunch at one of Perth's best taco spots, La Cabaña. It's easily the highlight of the day for us, with a menu of share-style Mexican dishes and excellent margaritas. If you're chasing a good glass of wine to go with it, walk the short distance along South Terrace to Madalena's, a seafood-led wine bar worth the stop in its own right.
3 pm: Check in to Warders Hotel
This boutique hotel occupies the old Fremantle Warders' cottages, just around the corner from the Fremantle Markets. Rooms are individually designed, with local artwork, thoughtful amenities and plush linen throughout. The best part is the location — it's walking distance from almost everything on this list. We recommend booking early, as it stays popular.
5 pm: drinks at the Republic of Fremantle
For those into gin, Republic of Fremantle is the answer. This urban distillery makes its spirits from scratch on-site in Fremantle's West End, and you can drop in for a tasting matched with good tonic, or book a distilling course and walk away with your own bottle.
7.30 pm: Dinner at Bread in Common
Just a short walk from Republic of Fremantle is dinner: Bread in Common. From the same team behind Coogee Common further south, this Pakenham Street warehouse is built around long communal tables, a wood-fired kitchen and genuinely good local produce, with attentive staff throughout. It's our pick for dinner in Fremantle.
10 pm: Bed Time at Warders Hotel
Back at the Warders Hotel, you'll actually want to spend some time in the rooms. Obviously full and potentially slightly tipsy, it's time to get some rest as tomorrow will be a big day.
9 am: Breakfast and Coffee at Gimlet
One of the perks of staying at the Warders Hotel is a complimentary breakfast at Gimlet, the small bar built into the ground floor of the cottages. There's a good selection of fresh pastries and proper coffee, and the limited seating keeps it a relaxed start to the day rather than a crowded one.
11 am: Checkout Fremantle Markets
It's time to check out and head to the Fremantle Markets, which back onto the hotel. This deserves a good few hours — walk every stall, have a second breakfast in the food hall, and if it's a Sunday, catch the local musicians playing around the perimeter.
1 pm: Fremantle Prison
A trip to Fremantle isn't complete without a tour of Fremantle Prison. The guides are excellent, and cover why almost 10,000 men were transported from Great Britain and Ireland to the colony. Tours take you through the cells and gallows, and there's also an underground tunnels tour through the old waterway beneath the site.
3 pm: Rooftop Drinks at Old Synagogue
After the history lesson, it's time for a few drinks on a rooftop to watch the sunset. A short walk from Fremantle Prison is the Old Synagogue, a heritage building that's now home to several bars and eateries, including a rooftop terrace — plenty of choice for a beer garden without moving far.
6 pm: Transport Back to Perth
It hasn't technically been a full 48 hours, but it's time to head back to Perth. We've suggested a fair few bars in this guide, so responsible driving matters. If you're doing this trip with a larger group, we can plan your transport to and from Fremantle and be your designated driver for the day. If it's just the two of you, Uber is the easy option.
