"Keeweechic's Fremantle" a Fremantle Travel Page by keeweechic

Although Fremantle is only 19 kms from Perth, the city has a unique style all of its own. There are many attractions which go in depth into the history of this port city as well as great restaurants and cafes for indoor or outdoor dining. There is a very relaxed feel here especially at the weekend during the summer months with alfresco dining.

Fremantle was named after Captain Charles Howe Fremantle who sailed one of the first three ships which brought European settlers to Western Australia in 1829. He was only 28 at the time but formally took possession of Western Australia for Britain. By 1832 there was a well planned design in place to build a suitable port for the new colony. Whaling and boating building soon took off and the town was first established in 1848. Because of a shortage of servants for the settlers, the first convicts were brought here in 1850. The last of which arrived in 1868 and were Irish rebels who later escaped in 1875 on an American whaling ship.

With the success of the gold rush at the end of the last century, the port thrived and even more so when ocean liners started to arrive. A new passenger terminal had to be built in 1960. A later splurge in visitors came when Alan Bond took the America's Cup away from the New York Yacht Club in 1983 - the first time this had happened in 132 years. This event brought visitors from all over the world and the town increased all its facilities and attractions to cater for the influx. Fremantle is still a very busy port but more for containers ships and large fishing vessels. Boats are definitely a way of life in Fremantle.