Perth's Suburb Secrets

Fremantle

Historic & Hipster

Fremantle - Freo to the locals - is both a historic town with a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as an eclectic spot where hipsters and heritage combine. See below for the can't miss spots in Perth's Western suburb:

Fremantle Markets

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Only open Friday-Sunday, Fremantle Markets is an indoor farmers market in an eclectic historic building. Vendors abound from food, produce, clothing, houseware, anything you can imagine. Excellent spot to pick up souvenirs that aren't just keychains, and nice for grabbing a snack as well!

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Bathers Beach

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The quintessential beach in Fremantle, Bather's Beach is an easy to get to, beautiful beach. Lots of restaurants and a boardwalk surround it, as well as historical areas and a nice grassy park to find some shade in. Bather's Beach is perfect for a swim, a tan, and especially great for watching the sun go down over the water. Make sure to spend a beach day here during your time in Freo!

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Fremantle Prison

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Fremantle Prison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by convicts in the 1850s. Operational until the 1990s, Fremantle Prison is now both a historical site to visit as well as a hostel you can stay in. Visit the main jail sections for affordable, fascinating tours by knowledgable guides. The tours have different subjects as well, from architecture to the prisoners themselves. If you fancy staying a night in a cell, look no further than YHA Fremantle Prison, built within the old Women's Wing of the jail. Rooms themselves are modernized and seem much less like cells than the historic block, but the prison vibe is alive and well at the accommodation.

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The Round House

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An easy stop on the way to the beach, the Round House is another historic jail in Fremantle. The original jail before Fremantle Prison, it only housed a few prisoners at each time in its round structure. Situated right in front of Bather's Beach, climb up to see the old jail and for great views over the beach and ocean. A good spot for pictures, especially during sunset!

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Chicho Gelato Fremantle

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Perth's famous gelateria in it's Fremantle location! Stop by for quality gelato with fun flavors. Their merch is even cool, too!

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Peggy's

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Peggy's is the perfect lunch spot in Fremantle. Classic, delicious sandwiches that are perfect for a picnic on the beach, you can't miss it! They also have breakfast sandwiches if that's more up your alley, but it's best to take away because the shop is small and fills up quick!

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Get Chunky - Fremantle

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A little touristy but for someone with a sweet tooth, Get Chunky is the perfect stop. The cookies are huge, gooey, and so delicious! Stop by for a midday snack or to satiate your dessert craving!

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Gino's

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Gino's is a local favorite for good reason! Excellent food (try the pasta!), drinks, and lots of seating indoor and out, this cafe is a perfect spot to rest and grab a bite. If you're a digital nomad, Gino's is also perfect for setting up the laptop and getting down to business.

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Scarborough

Perth's Best Beach Town 

Get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and head to Scarborough Beach! A laid back town with a gorgeous white sand beach, Scarby is the best place to relax in Perth. Head here for good eats, chill vibes, and a dip in the ocean or local pool! 

Scarborough Beach

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The reason to visit Scarborough, the beach is the destination in town. Stretching down the coast, Scarborough Beach has white sand, excellent surfing, and a boardwalk full of amazing restaurants. Stay in a beachside hotel for the full experience, or train in from Perth for a perfect beach day!

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Brighton Reserve

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Brighton Reserve is potentially the best place in all of Perth to watch a sunset. Situated on a bit of a hill, this little park is the perfect place to spread out a blanket (or just sit on the grass!) and watch the sun set over the beach below. Outside of evening hours, the Reserve is also a great spot to find some shade in the afternoon! Snag a spot under one of the big trees in the park and relax with a book or a fun picnic with friends.

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Il Locale Pizzeria Scarborough

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Il Locale is the perfect dinner after a long day on Scarborough Beach. Get takeaway in their iconic pink pizza boxes and head to Brighton Reserve for a picnic dinner and a sunset show! With lots of options, Il Locale can't be missed!

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Two Slices Sandwich Bar

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One of the best sandwiches I've ever had, Two Slices is one of the best casual spots by Scarborough Beach. Perfect for picking up sandwiches to eat on the beach, Two Slices has enough amazing options it's impossible to choose wrong! A can't miss!

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Other Can't Miss Spots

Rounding out this Perth list are places that can't be skipped. From cute quokkas on Rottnest Island to noodle bars in laundromats, these are other quirky, unmissable spots in Perth! 

Rottnest Island

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Get to Rottnest Island by ferry and spend an entire day exploring! Home to the quokkas - the cutest marsupial on the continent - you can spot them all over the main town! Beaches, snorkeling, hiking, cute shops, and restaurants abound on Rottnest, and it's my #1 spot to go while in Perth. My recommendation is to rent a bike and snorkel set from Pedal & Flipper Hire when you get off the ferry, then spend the day biking a loop around the island. Stop at every beach and snorkel, and definitely stop at the lighthouse for an amazing view over the island. It's a perfect way to spend the day!

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Perth City Farm

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Perth City Farm is a combination farmers market - garden center - cafe in the city. Home to a Saturday farmers market, it also is host to garden areas and a cafe with amazing smoothies. Stop by for a little greenery and community away from the big city!

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Moonlight Cinema Perth

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Moonlight Cinema is an outdoor movie theatre in Perth's Botanic Gardens. It's the best way to spend a wholesome evening outside, especially when the heat of the day makes it too hot to go out in the afternoon! The movies are constantly changing, offering up new releases and cult classics. Spend an evening lounging on a beanbag watching a film, and they often have freebies at the showing!

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Lucky Chan's Laundry & Noodle Bar

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Don't be fooled by the faux laundromat front, Lucky Chan's is a noodle bar of epic proportions! Go through the secret door through a laundry machine and head into the restaurant for amazing Asian dishes like their to die for Popcorn Chicken! Bigger parties are recommended to book in advance, but it's well worth it for the amazing food and fun experience.

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So there you have it, the definitive guide to Perth's best spots that aren't necessarily in the city! Enjoy the vibrant capital of Western Australia, and don't forget to pack the sunscreen for the hot summer days!