Fremantle's Historic West End

The Round House is located in what is now known as Fremantle's West End: a collection of streets characterised by late Georgian and Victorian-style architecture at the southern end of the port. A process of gentrification in the early 1990s was accelerated by the establishment of the University of Notre Dame Australia, which occupies, and has restored, many of the buildings in the West End. [WEST END MAP, scroll down or click here]

"Walking through Fremantle's West End from central Fremantle in the afternoon hours was beautiful. Even in midwinter the skies were blue, the sun very warming. Everyone smiling and walking from place to place. We very much enjoyed our walk that afternoon... "

The Round House
(old Fremantle Gaol)

The Round House is the oldest remaining building in Western Australia opening in 1831. It was built as a gaol / jail and was used until 1886.

It had eight cells and a gaoler's residence, which all opened up into a central courtyard. It was later used as a home for the chief constable, his wife and their 10 children. It is now a popular tourist attraction enjoying panoramic views.

The Round House is located in what is now known as Fremantle's West End, in the Arthur Head Precinct on a headland overlooking the river mouth with uninterrupted views of Cockburn Sound. Other buildings on Arthur Head included the courthouse, cottages and two lighthouses.

The photo above is a view of the Fremantle Town Hall as viewed from inside the Roundhouse facing East along High Street.

The Fremantle Volunteer Heritage Guides (FVHG) raise the flags each day, participate in the firing of the 1 O'Clock cannon.

This practice began in the early 1900s as a method of keeping everyone's watches aligned (and therefore keeping 'order' in the expanding colony.)

The issue of keeping clocks 'in time' was only solved by the English Clockmaker John Harrison created the marine chronometer which enabled ships at sea to 'carry' the correct time with them, after leaving sight (and sound) of the shore.

ADDRESS: 10 Arthur Head, Fremantle, WA, 6160.
TELEPHONE: 9336 6636
OPEN: 10.30am - 3.30pm daily.
CLOSED: Christmas Day & Good Friday.
ENTRANCE FEES: By donation.
WEBSITE: Fremantle RoundHouse

Round House facing south towards Fishing Boat Harbour.

The Round House Steps down towards Bathers Beach, to the south, part of the oldest remaining building in Western Australia.