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West end tour
Gettingaround > tours west
Take a walk in the west end
Fremantle is well known for its 19th century British port heritage buildings. Many of these buildings are heritage listed and have been refurbished to their original grandeur. Over 3000 of Fremantle's buildings have some heritage significance. Come on an online tour of some of Fremantle's finest buildings now, or visit Fremantle and admire the many heritage buildings.
Begin your tour in King's Square, the heart of the City
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St John's Church
Built by Messrs Vincent and Harwood to an English design from 1879 - 1882 to replace the first church opened in 1843. Bell turret added 1906-07. Roofed in 1977 with asbestos shingles replacing the Welsh slates which took the place of the original shingles in 1914. When you are facing the church turn to your right and you will see the spire and town hall clock. |
[Photo - St Johns Church] |
| [Photo - Town Hall] |
Town Hall
The only 19th Century Town Hall in the metropolitan region. Largely unaltered since construction. Built 1885 - 1887 by E. Keane. Clock supplied by local watchmaker W. Hooper who imported it from London in 1888. Modern civic building added 1964 and extended 1973.
Walk west through Pedestrian Mall, High Street. The building still largely maintains the character and style of the Victorian and Edwardian era. Glance above the awning level for the original character of these buildings. Cross Market Street, Pakenham Street and Henry Street and turn right up Mouat Street. |
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Mouat Street
Contains numerous well maintained buildings built predominantly as commercial premises and warehouses. No. 5, built in 1902, has an interesting and elaborate façade. Occupied by German Consulate and offices of Nord-deutscher Lloyd Imperial Mail until 1914 when German nationals were interned.
At the end of Mouat Street turn left into Phillimore Street which contains some of the finest groups of late Victorian buildings in Fremantle. Most of the buildings are still in good repair and include: |
[Photo - Mouat Street] |
| [Photo - Customs House] |
Customs House
Corner of Phillimore and Cliff Streets.
Built of brick and donnybrook stone and completed in 1908. Situated on the site of the original Railway Station, built in 1881 |
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Chamber of Commerce
16 Phillimore Street
Chamber of Commerce formed at Fremantle in 1873. Present building opened by Governor Sir Gerald Strickland, KCMG, in 1912. Note the stained glass nautical scenes on either side of the front doorway. |
[Photo - Chamber of Commerce] |
Old Fire Station
18 Phillimore Street
Built in 1908 for Fire Brigades Board of WA replacing earlier station of 1887 in Croke Street. Architects were Cavanagh, Cavanagh and Parry. There was a recent threat of demolition when planning new Fire Station. Significant public protest resulted in the building remaining. It is now a restaurant.
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P & O Building
21 Phillimore Street
Originally built in 1904 for Australasian United Steam Navigation Co Ltd. Their initials are incorporated in a design on the centre top of the façade. The building has been occupied by P & O since 1918.
Cross to the north-west of the place, where the south side of Phillimore Street can be seen to best advantage. Cross the level crossing and follow the road southwards up the hill. |
[Photo P&O Building] |
| [Photo - Roundhouse] |
The Round House
The oldest remaining building in WA. Designed by HW Reveley, the colony's first civil engineer and built in 1830 - 31. The Round House had eight cells and a gaolers residence which all opened into a central courtyard. A tunnel underneath the Round House was built by the Fremantle Whaling Company in 1837 to provide whalers with access to the town from the jetty and beach at Bathers Bay.
If you look west from the Round House lawn you will see a picturesque view of the Fishing Boar Harbour. Before the present Fremantle harbour was opened in 1897, all ships calling at Fremantle berthed at a long jetty in this area.
Return to Cliff Street and walk south. Goods bound for Perth were originally transported along Cliff Street from the sea jetty to the river jetty. |
Lionel Samson & Sons
31 - 35 Cliff Street
Occupied by the firm since Lionel Samson was granted this town lot and a Merchant's Spirit License in 1829. This continuous tenure is unmatched by any commercial house in Australia. The old residence, with a plain Georgian façade, stands beside the more elaborate structure built in 1898 and is typical of commercial architecture during the gold boom.
49 Cliff Street
Right in front of the Cliff Street entrance of the Western Australian Maritime Museum complex there is a small area of the original Yorkshire flagstones. These were brought as ballast in early ships and used as paving.
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The Western Australian Maritime Museum
Cliff Street - between Marine Terrace & Croke Lane.
The Commissariat building was built between 1851 and 1862 under the direction of Lieut. H. Wray of the Royal Engineers. The building was erected using convict labour. Control of the building was transferred to the colonial Government in 1878 and was converted into a Customs House and Bonded Warehouse. In 1977 it was made available to the Western Australian Maritime Museum. It is an outstanding example of functional Georgian architecture and can be best seen from the western side of the railway. (Approach over the footbridge from the Esplanade to Fisherman's co-operative).
From the south end of Cliff Street turn left into Marine Terrace. |
[Photo - Maritime Museum] |
Water Police Barracks
10 - 20 Marine Terrace
These quarters were built in 1903 to PWF design.
Old Courthouse
Marine Terrace
The second court building, replacing the old courthouse on Arthur Head, was built in 1883 - 84 and was used as a court through until 1900. It was restored and converted to a men's night shelter. It is now known as Uniting House, a drop-in resource centre for people on low incomes. Keep walking past the Bank Row buildings along marine terrace and directly across the road you will find the next stop, The Esplanade Park
| [Photo - Esplanade Park] |
The Esplanade
The Esplanade is South of Marine Terrace. It was reclaimed from the shallows of South Bay in 1904. Significant events are held at the Esplanade. The flagpole on the Esplanade is the place where, on Foundation Day, the landing of Captain Fremantle and the subsequent annexation of the western part of the continent, and the arrival of Captain Stirling in 1829 with the first settlers is commemorated. |
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