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History and Heritage

Things2c > history and heritage > roundhouse

Round House

[Photo - Round house]

The Round House is the oldest remaining building in Western Australia. It was built as a gaol and was the first permanent building in the colony. It was designed by HW Reveley, the colony's first civil engineer, and built in 1830 - 1831. The Round House had eight cells and a gaolers residence which all opened up into a central courtyard. Bay whaling was carried out from Bathers beach below the Round House. As part of the whaling operations a tunnel was constructed under the Round House to provide whalers with access to the town from the jetty and bathers beach. When the first convicts arrived in 1850 the Round House was inadequate to house them so the convicts built a new goal which was completed in the 1850's and continued to be used as Fremantle prison through until 1991.

The Round House was not used as a prison when, in 1886, convict establishment became the responsibility of the colonial government. Instead, the Round House was used as a police lock-up through until 1900. It then became the living quarters for the chief constable, his wife, and their ten children.

The Fremantle City Council took over responsibility for the Round House from 1982 when the headland was vested in the city. The building was opened to the public soon afterwards and can now be viewed seven days a week.

A team of volunteer guides who are on duty at the Round House during opening hours.

Location	10 Arthur Head, Fremantle, Western Australia.
For more information	Phone: (08) 9336 6897 Fax: (08) 9336 6897
Opening Times	Daily 10.30am - 3.30pm. Gates closed out of these hours
Price Information	Entry by gold coin donation Group bookings can be arranged through Heritage Guides (08) 9336 6897
Payment Options	Cash
Features	Good For Groups Good For Kids View Value for Money Rare and Unusual Historical Very Freo Outdoor
Getting There	By train - catch an electric train from Perth Central Station to Fremantle. The trip takes less than half an hour. The Round House is only a short stroll from the Fremantle Railway Station. By bus - Transperth buses leave from various stands in St George's Terrace and will take you to Fremantle via either the Canning or Stirling Highway. By ferry - catch a ferry from the Barrack Street Jetty in Perth and enjoy the sights from the Swan River as you cruise to Fremantle. By Fremantle CAT. The Fremantle Clipper completes a circuit around the city of Fremantle stopping at popular places of interest, offering easy access to major attractions and venues. Park a little further away (where there are more spaces) and catch the free CAT around town. The service is fully accessible with vehicle kneeling action at the curbside, driver activated ramp and low floor design, with the added comfort of fully air-conditioned vehicles. For the perfect day out, leave your car at home, take the train to Fremantle where you can catch the Fremantle CAT. Buses have been coordinated with train arrivals and departures. Frequency of the CAT service - every 15 minutes.