48 hours in Fremantle

By Pauline Askin

FREMANTLE, Western Australia (Reuters Life) - The port city of Fremantle, which was established in 1829 as the western gateway to Australia, has become a popular destination for history buffs, foodies and art lovers.

Here are some recommendations by Reuters correspondents with local knowledge on how to make the most of a weekend in Fremantle.

Saturday

8 a.m. - Take a shuttle bus (A$30) from Perth's domestic or international airport for about 19 kms (12 miles) to Fremantle but be prepared to tackle the crowds and traffic around the airport. Locals joke that the initials W.A. are more suited to "Wait A While" rather than "Western Australia" with a mining boom sending the number of visitors to the state soaring.

9.a.m. - Check into your accommodation and change into walking shoes to head for South Terrace, known as Cappuccino Strip, to get a caffeine fix and pop into the Tourist Information Centre at the corner of High Street Mall and William Street.

11.00 a.m. - Stroll around the narrow streets to take in the architecture and history of the area. You'll find examples of mid-Victorian and Edwardian architecture in buildings such as St John's Anglican Church, Fremantle Town Hall, Fremantle Markets and the Round House, W.A.'s oldest public building. Offices, galleries, restaurants and shops are housed in these buildings.

Noon - From South Terrace stroll down towards the water front, along Marine Terrace to the New Maritime Museum & Shipwreck Galleries. The museum contains a collection of shipwreck relics and artefacts from the many ships that met their doom on this arid coastline. Free guided tours of the Galleries run daily. The museum overlooks Esplanade Park where local craft merchants spread handmade jewellery on the grass at the weekend to sell.

2.00 p.m. - Stop by the Esplanade Hotel on Marine Terrace for some local produce with fresh seafood reasonably priced.

3.00 p.m. - Just five minutes away is the old Fremantle Prison, at No 1. The Terrace, built by convict labour. It is one of Western Australia's most fascinating and significant cultural attractions. The first convicts arrived in 1850 as a labour force to help build the nearby Swan River Colony. One of the first projects was to construct the Convict Establishment - later to be known as Fremantle Prison. The prison finally closed its doors in 1991 and narrowly escaped being demolished and replaced by a shopping center. Tours run by day and night.

6.30 p.m. - After a day of walking, rest your legs at a bar and enjoy a cold drink and a chat with the locals before dinner. The Sail & Anchor pub and brewery on South Terrace boasts its own brew of award-winning ales.

8.00 p.m. - Walk about 500 meters back to Fishing Boat Harbour for dinner at Cicerello's Fish'n Chip cafe on Fisherman's Wharf and a choice of seafood caught daily.

Sunday

9.00 a.m. - Head back to Cappuccino Strip for breakfast before walking down to the Round House which is the oldest remaining building in W.A.. It was originally built in 1830-31 as a jail and was the first permanent building in the colony. The Round House has eight cells and a jailers residence which all opened up into a central courtyard with magnificent views out to the Indian Ocean over the wall.

Noon - Take a stroll through the back streets of town weaving through the University of Notre Dame owned buildings to Victoria Quay to the W.A. Maritime Museum & HMS Ovens Submarine. It's symbolic of the past, present and future of the coastal town and houses six unique galleries, each focusing on a different aspect of W.A.'s relationship with the sea.

2.00 p.m. - Enjoy a late lunch at Benny's bar and cafe on South Terrace where you can sit outside and take in the street atmosphere.

4.00 p.m. - It's easy to while away an hour or so at the Fremantle market less than five minutes walk from Benny's where goods range from hand painted henna tattoos to fresh vegetables and handmade soaps, and buskers are allotted a set of time to perform.

5.00 p.m. - Stroll to Little Creatures Brewery, which is set inside a massive converted boat shed on Fishing Boat Harbour for dinner and to watch the sun set over the Indian ocean.

7.00 p.m. - Before heading off to the airport, follow the Manjaree Trail, which starts at Cantoment Hill and moves down the Inner Harbour and around to the northern end of the Marine Terrace. The Aboriginal names of some of the locations are mentioned and there is a detailed description of Whadjuck people who lived in the area.