Round House

The basics

As an important historic landmark in the heart of Fremantle, the Round House is a common stop on walking tours of Fremantle. To visit inside, you’ll need to arrive independently or with a private tour. Don’t expect to spend more than 20 minutes here. You'll visit inside the building to see the small exhibits on the history of the Round House and then head to its viewpoints to look out over Bathers Beach and the Indian Ocean.

Things to know before you go

• The Round House has a voluntary donation for admission, typically A$1-2 per person.

• Volunteer guides at the Round House can relay stories about the building’s residents and more about its history.

• It can be quite windy at the top of the Round House, so bring a jacket in the colder months, and mind your hat and belongings in the wind.

• There is a paid parking lot across the train line from the stairs that lead up to the building.

• This heritage-listed building is only accessible by stairs and has no access for people with wheelchairs.

How to get there

The Round House of Fremantle is located by the waterfront at the western end of Fremantle CBD. If you are already sightseeing in central Fremantle, you can walk to the Round House in less than 15 minutes. You can also get there by bus, taking the Blue CAT bus to stop 18, Phillimore Street, Victoria Quay, and walking for a few minutes.

When to get there

Tourists can visit the Round House daily from mid-morning until mid-afternoon. A good time to be at the Round House or at least nearby is just before 1 p.m., as this is when a daily ceremony involving the firing of its cannon takes place. Morning visits are best if you wish to avoid the Fremantle Doctor, the regular cool breeze that can forcefully come through on summer afternoons.

The two Fremantle prisons

Visit the Round House and you might be confused when you see that there’s a separate Fremantle Prison on the map. The difference between the two is that Fremantle Prison held transported convicts, while the Round House held prisoners of the colony. With very different histories behind them, the Round House and Fremantle Prison are important colonial landmarks to visit.