The Swan River Colony: A Self-Guided Tour of Fremantle

Dutch explorers once marvelled at black swans near the mouth of the Swan River, in the area that later became Fremantle. On self-guided audio tour, you’ll explore the historic port town that became Western Australia’s gateway to the world. You’ll also find out how Fremantle went from a struggling colonial outpost to a bustling gold rush hub.

This tour starts as soon as you exit the train at the Fremantle Railway Station, once the beginning of WA’s first urban train line. You’ll walk through the heart of the colony, following Market Street and the High Street mall with its stunning examples of Australian colonial architecture. You’ll hear tales of bushrangers who escaped the notorious Fremantle Prison, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site that was built by the very convicts who would be imprisoned within its walls. The tour ends at Arthur Head, where Captain Charles Fremantle first planted the Union Jack in 1829.