From a boutique hotel in old warders' cottages to a huge new brewery sprawled along the docks, here's my hot tips to nine of Freo's newest and best for Traveller:
New at my Patreon... Sitting in the corner of a former prison, now a hostel, I heard travellers discussing the English language. And it made me ponder its rise as an essential travel tool:
New at my Patreon... Walking through Fremantle, I admired a statue of the late Bon Scott of the rock band AC/DC. But where exactly was his Highway to Hell?
To my surprise, I can hear a live concert happening next door in the main prison (the YHA hostel is in a separate section that used to be the women's prison). Didn't realise they used the former Fremantle Prison as a music venue – it's seen a lot of curious things over the past 170 years or so.
Sadly, I learnt today that the free CAT bus through Fremantle was cancelled in October. It's been partly replaced by increased buses down South Terrace, but leaves the entire west side of the CBD without public transport. That needs sorting. #Fremantlehttps://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/trains-and-buses
A bit of dual-gauge action at South Beach, South Fremantle. The inner rails are the usual narrow gauge used in Western Australia, 1,067mm (3' 6"); while the outer rails are standard gauge, 1,435mm (4" 8.5") apart. Note the sand which has drifted up from the beach!
It's interesting how intertwined the freight line and tourist locations are in Fremantle. Here's a freight train passing just after I stepped across a pedestrian level-crossing to stroll to the Gage Roads brewery on the harbour.
Sadly, Office Ratty failed the Able Ships Rat application test which was, Do NOT gnaw the ropes. So, no running away to sea for Ratty.This is the #Leeuwin at #Fremantle
Well, we've had rather a full weekend. First thing Saturday was pancakes on the patio as @rdm had made butter during the week. Consequently there was buttermilk - and the best use of that is clearly pancakes.
This stood us in good stead for the next bit which was to drive about 40 minutes South for a kiddy birthday party, where we joined the birthday kiddo and friends and family for cake and chatting.
Then it was off to Walyalup for us! We decided to have lunch at Run Amuk which does gourmet hot dogs with gluten free options. So delicious! The hot Easterly Wind (Nundat) at our backs we picnicked on South Beach in the shade. It was delicious food but the hot wind wasn't to our taste so we didn't linger.
We wandered to our hotel, The Hougoumont which has tiny, tiny rooms but great, great staff. And a lovely foyer to chill in and enjoy complimentary coffee whilst waiting for the room to be ready. So I did a couple of drawings out of my comfort zone, again ink straight to paper - and rdm read. Then we flaked in our room for a bit before dinner at Benny's (recommended) and icecream at Kuld (even more recommended).
Then it was time for the drone show which was great! A giant crocodile invaded from the North, and this came to the attention of one of our local guardian Wargul , the great rainbow serpent so there was a bit of a conflict in the sky.
After that Rob set up the Dwarf II and we chilled for a bit. I did some astrophotography with my phone which will be quite nice after some postprocessing so watch this space.
Then it was back to the hotel for a bit of a watch - Marcia Hynes introing Rage and then sleepy bos.
The next day we woke and enjoyed our complimentary gf breakfast in the foyer, and then checked out as we had stuff to do at home and lunch with friends to attend.
We saw their travel photos of Queensland, chatted and showed the video from the drone show, and then went home by way of JB HiFi (I want my sister to try the astrophotography with the phone thing, so I'm buying her a tripod for her phone to encourage her) and watched Taskmaster with Mum over coffee and chocolate gingerbread.
Now free for all to read... I try Fremantle's best food and drink on a tour that takes in a historic deli, a beer bar next to an ex-synagogue, and a smooth laneway bar:
"Around midnight, the Coastguard Center received a report from the Fremantle Highway vessel that there was a fire on board. The vessel has 2857 cars on board, 25 of which are electric cars. The 23 crew members are currently being evacuated. Several KNRM lifeboats and a Noordgat salvage vessel are on site. " (google translated) #Fremantle#Highway#FremantleHighway#ship#accident#Netherlands
Hockey down in Freo in the morning (for the boy, not for me). Little trip out. Might make a few more cracks in the "our kids have been on the same team for years" parent clique.
Might do a selfie. Probably circle the pitch a few times to get my step count up.
Might wander the town a bit afterwards, sees what's happening. #Freo#Hockey#Fremantle