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Everything You Need to Know about North Fremantle in Perth
- Where is North Fremantle?
- What is the main street in North Fremantle?
- How to Get to North Fremantle
- Best Time to Go to North Fremantle
- What to Do and See in North Fremantle
- Go for a swim in Port Beach
- Test your bowling skills at the North Freo Bowlo
- See the impressive rock formations of Rocky Bay Waugal Cave
- Snorkel across the waters of Leighton Beach
- Where to Eat and Drink in North Fremantle
- Bib and Tucker
- The Black Truffle
- Palette Fremantle
- Where to Shop in North Fremantle
- Old Bridge Cellars
- Coastal Life
- SHOP4
- Where to Stay in North Fremantle
- Pier 21 Apartment Hotel
- Freo's Funky Skyline Studio
- North Fremantle Loft House
- FAQs about North Fremantle
North Fremantle’s pace is as relaxed as the ocean breeze. This coastal suburb offers a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary cool, all set against a backdrop of stunning beaches and cosy cafés.
It even boasts a collection of stores where rare stuff can be found. Whether you’re a sun-seeker, a foodie, or someone who simply loves to soak up the laid-back vibes, this relaxing suburb has something special for everyone.
Dive into our guide and discover why North Fremantle is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the good life.
Where is North Fremantle?
North Fremantle is a suburb that sits in the southwestern part of the Perth Metropolitan Area and serves as one of the city’s busiest ports. It sits on the northern side of the Swan River and is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west.
It’s approximately 18 kilometres (about 11 miles) southwest of Perth’s central business district.
What is the main street in North Fremantle?
Stirling Highway is the main artery that flows through North Fremantle. There’s often a large volume of traffic that passes through here due to the large amount of cargo that arrives in North Fremantle almost every day.
As the town’s biggest thoroughfare, it also features most of the town’s cafés, restaurants, and bars. It’s also where you’ll find the iconic Dingo Flour Mill, which is easily recognisable thanks to its large red dingo logo.
How to Get to North Fremantle
By Bus: If you’re coming from the Perth CBD, you can take a Transperth bus that travels along Line 910, then alight at the bus stop near North Fremantle Station. The entire journey takes about 45–60 minutes and costs $5.
By Train: Catch a train from Perth Station to North Fremantle Station. The trip takes about 25 minutes and costs $4. It’s the best choice if you want to get there fast but without spending too much.
By Taxi: If you prefer a quicker and more direct option, you can also take a taxi from the Perth CBD to North Fremantle. Your travel time will only take 18 minutes; however, your fare will cost at least $40, which is too expensive.
By Car: If you’re driving from the Perth CBD, you should drive along the Stirling Highway for the fastest journey. You’ll cover 18 kilometres throughout your entire drive, which can take 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
You can park your car in either the North Fremantle Station Car Park or in Car Park 47.
Best Time to Go to North Fremantle
North Fremantle hosts many yearly events, but the biggest and best one that’s worth the visit is the Port to Pub Marathon Swim. This event is usually held in March and is quite famous for being one of the most challenging open-water swims in Australia.
Starting from Leighton Beach, participants swim either 19.7 kilometres or 25 kilometres across the Rottnest Channel to Rottnest Island. If you’re keen on joining yourself, you can register your participation via this website.
What to Do and See in North Fremantle
Go for a swim in Port Beach
Photo credit: perthisok
Address: Port Beach Rd
Don’t let its close proximity to one of Perth’s busiest ports dissuade you because Port Beach is always a fun place to visit! Past the towering cranes and containers, you’ll see a majestic beach with golden sands and clear waters.
And the best part? The waters around here are usually calm all year round! If you’re someone like me who’s anxious when swimming in the sea, you’ll definitely be able to conquer your fears here.
Aside from swimming, there are also plenty of activities one can enjoy here, like sunbathing, jogging, and windsurfing. And when the sun starts to set, it becomes a magical place to watch the colours change over the ocean—truly a sight to behold.
Test your bowling skills at the North Freo Bowlo
Photo credit: northfreobowlo
Website: https://www.northfreobowlo.com/
Address: 8 Thompson Rd
Operating hours:
- 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM (FRI)
- 2:00 PM – 8:00 AM (SUN)
Lawn bowling fans rejoice, for North Fremantle has a cool place where you can enjoy this fantastic sport! Established in 1957, this cosy bowling club has become a prime spot to play games like lawn bowls, croquet, petanque, and skittles.
You’re free to participate in these games anytime as a guest, but it might be better to become a club member if you plan to play here often. A friend of mine regularly plays here, and he only needs to pay $40 a year to become a member.
Furthermore, because it has a vast green space, this bowling club also functions as a social gathering hub from time to time. If you’re lucky, you might be able to catch a movie night or a food truck expo being hosted here.
See the impressive rock formations of Rocky Bay Waugal Cave
Photo credit: laurawilderbass
Address: 42 Rule St
One hidden attraction you should look out for during your visit to North Fremantle is Rocky Bay Waugal Cave, also known as Garungup Cave. According to Aboriginal mythology, this cave once served as the Waugal’s (rainbow serpent) resting spot.
I think I can see why the myth depicts this cave as a magical serpent’s home. During my visit, I saw human-sized tunnels that looked like they were made by a huge snake that coils itself up when sleeping.
Aside from its cool mythology, another thing that drew me to this place is its stunning limestone cliffs. There’s also a nearby heritage trail that’s great if you want to learn more about Aboriginal mythology and history.
Snorkel across the waters of Leighton Beach
Photo credit: tc_action_imagery
Address: Leighton Beach Blvd
Another amazing beach worth checking out is Leighton Beach, which is just north of Port Beach. It’s my preferred beach between the two since not only is it a bit further from Fremantle’s ports, but it also features soft white sand and clear turquoise waters.
Another interesting thing about this beach is its gentle waves, which are perfect for beginner surfers. It also turns into a popular kitesurfing spot during summer thanks to the strong winds brought by the Fremantle Doctor.
Personally, I often visit this place to enjoy a picnic with my friends. We also sometimes bring our bikes here so we can cycle along the Indian Ocean Explorer, a 10-kilometre seaside bike trail that starts at Fremantle and ends at Cottesloe.
Where to Eat and Drink in North Fremantle
Bib and Tucker
Photo credit: _bibandtucker_
Website: https://bibandtucker.net.au/
Address: 18 Leighton Beach Blvd
Contact details: +61 8 9433 2147
Operating hours:
- 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM (MON and TUES)
- 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (WED-SUN)
It would be a waste not to try eating in a seaside restaurant when visiting North Fremantle. That’s why my top recommendation is Bib and Tucker, a modern Australian restaurant located in Leighton Beach.
The menu here is a true celebration of local, seasonal produce. Some of my favourites include the kingfish ceviche tostadas, North African chicken, and the slow-cooked brisket.
However, first-time visitors should try their Bombe Alaska dessert. It has that perfect combination of crispy meringue, creamy ice cream, and moist cake, which produces a harmony of sweet, creamy goodness that leaves you craving for more.
The Black Truffle
Photo credit: theblacktrufflenf
Website: https://www.theblacktruffle.com.au/
Address: 82 Stirling Hwy
Contact details: +61 8 9336 1796
Operating hours:
- 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM (MON and TUES)
- 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM (WED, THURS, and SUN)
- 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (FRI and SAT)
The Black Truffle is a delightful café that blends Italian culinary traditions with a modern twist. While its brewed coffee is a big hit among the locals, it particularly stands out from the other cafés in the area thanks to its diverse range of pizzas.
A reason why is because they make their pizzas the old-fashioned way. Their pizza dough is hand-made, and it’s been proofed for 48 hours with 80% hydration. The end result is a delicate dough that’s a bit crispy on the outside yet chewy on the inside.
According to my friend, who’s a regular here, this café’s The Thompson pizza is a must-try. Its blend of meats and mushrooms produces a slightly salty and earthy taste that perfectly complements the pizza’s crushed tomatoes’ sweetness.
Palette Fremantle
Photo credit: palettefreo
Website: https://palettefremantle.com.au/
Address: 1 Freeman Loop
Contact details: +61 8 9335 4159
Operating hours:
- 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM (TUES-THURS)
- 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM (FRI and SAT)
- 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM (SUN)
If you’re arriving in North Fremantle from the north, the first restaurant you’ll come across is Palette Fremantle. Housed in the old Jessie’s building, this place has recently become a huge hit thanks to its monthly rotating art gallery.
Personally, I’m fully behind this gimmick, as it showcases many of Perth’s up-and-coming artists. The paintings, combined with the impressive view of the Indian Ocean, also definitely add an air of elegance to this restaurant.
As for their menu, they mostly focus on Mediterranean-inspired dishes. My personal favourite is their blue swimmer crab linguini, thanks to its delicious mix of fresh crab, rich Napoletana sauce, a hint of chilli, savoury pecorino, and zesty lemon.
Where to Shop in North Fremantle
Old Bridge Cellars
Photo credit: oldbridgecellars_northfreo
Website: https://www.oldbridge.com.au/
Address: 221 Queen Victoria St
Contact details: +61 8 9335 2702
Operating hours:
- 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM (MON-THURS)
- 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM (FRI and SAT)
- 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (SUN)
With Old Bridge Cellars, wine aficionados have one more good reason to visit North Fremantle. What makes this wine shop so good, in my opinion, is that it focuses mostly on selling alcohol made by smaller, boutique producers.
That’s why I’m not surprised that there’s a huge variety of alcoholic drinks to be found here, including wines, beers, spirits, and ciders. And because they update their items regularly, I often discover something new whenever I visit this store.
Another good reason why you should check out this store is their wine courses. It’s a fun way to learn more about wines, including how to make them and properly discern their taste. That knowledge can serve as a great icebreaker!
Coastal Life
Photo credit: coastallife
Website: https://www.coastallife.net.au
Address: 106d Stirling Hwy
Contact details: +61 419 994 100
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (TUES, THURS, and FRI)
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (SAT)
Since you’ll be visiting an amazing beach while in North Fremantle, it might be worth checking out a surf shop first. That’s why I recommend Coastal Life, which is located right across the street from North Fremantle Train Station.
They sell a wide range of surfboards at varying price points, so you’re bound to find something that’ll fit your budget. A buddy of mine loves to visit this place because she’s a huge fan of surfing.
According to her, the best time to visit this shop is in November. That’s when Coastal Life does one of its biggest sales, letting you save up to 50% on some of its products.
SHOP4
Photo credit: shopnumber__4
Website: https://shop4-madeinperth.myshopify.com/
Address: 4/6 Pamment St
Contact details: +61 447 425 446
If you’re looking to update your wardrobe, come give SHOP4 a try. This delightful boutique on Pamment Street offers a curated collection of clothing, accessories, and handmade items from both local and international emerging designers.
I already visited this place a couple of times, and I’m always impressed that they always have something new on display. The owner, Kay Burt, told me that she personally curates every product sold here to ensure they’re always unique.
By the way, SHOP4 is an appointment-only shop. Make sure to give Kay a call before dropping in to ensure your visit won’t be a disappointment!
Where to Stay in North Fremantle
Pier 21 Apartment Hotel
Photo credit: pier21fremantle
Website: https://www.pier21.com.au/
Address: 7/9 John St
Check in: 2:00 PM
Check out: 10:00 AM
Pricing ($ for $199 and below, $$ for $200-$300, and $$$ for $300 and up): $$
My top pick for a luxurious and relaxing stay in North Fremantle is the Pier 21 Apartment Hotel. This 4-star hotel is all about picturesque scenery, as it offers stunning views of the Swan River and the nearby marina.
I stayed here for my staycation last year, and I can definitely say the amenities and accommodations here are good. In particular, I love that their apartments feature private balconies, which is perfect for sightseeing.
As for amenities, they have a fully equipped gym, a jacuzzi, and a barbeque spot. There’s also an outdoor and an indoor swimming pool here if you’re not interested in visiting the beach for a swim.
Freo’s Funky Skyline Studio
Address: Provided after booking
Check in: 3:00 PM
Check out: 10:00 AM
Pricing: $$
Book Here
If North Fremantle’s only hotel doesn’t fit your liking, it might be a good idea to check in one of the suburb’s amazing Airbnbs! One such example is Freo’s Funky Skyline Studio, a studio apartment near Port Beach.
It nails down that “modern apartment” feel, as it features a kitchenette for cooking light meals and a private shower room. It also has its own garage, so you don’t have to worry about any parking fees.
However, the real star of the show is this apartment’s shared rooftop terrace. It’s great for stargazing, and it even has its own BBQ grill if you want to spend many hours relaxing here with your friends.
North Fremantle Loft House
Address: Pearse St.
Check in: 2:00 PM
Check out: 10:00 AM
Pricing: $$$
Book Here
Here’s a great pick if you prefer staying in a suburban home for your visit to North Fremantle. Located on Pearse Street, this loft house isn’t only close to the beach but to other famous attractions in Fremantle as well, like the Fremantle Arts Centre.
It has a solid list of amenities to ensure you’ll have a great stay here. It has its own washing machine, dryer, smart TV, and high-speed Wi-Fi connection.
If I remember correctly, a colleague of mine booked this place for his friend coming from overseas. He told me the place is actually a good value for money since it’s quite spacious and it’s located in North Fremantle’s quieter parts.
