An insider guide from a happy local. Read on for tried and tested things to do, see and eat in Fremantle, the awesome port side town in Perth, Western Australia.
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1. Walk out to the green lighthouse, sit on a rock and watch the world go by. (Ok, I know that's technically 3 things but..) 2. Stroll along George Street in the afternoon, stopping for brunch and a 'Isn't life Awesome' moment. 3. Go to France, as in the Whisper Wine Bar for some cheese and vino. 4. Visit the Fremantle Arts Centre and enjoy a brew in the garden whilst deciding which short and arty course you should sign up for. 5. Head to Port Beach and watch the sun go down.
Think it's time you got to know Fremantle a little better? Well here's the festival for you! The Fremantle Heritage Festival is set to be a whirlwind of walking treks, bicycle tours, art, music and dancing. There will be antique treasure shows, exhibitions and a chance to learn the jitterbug. (Yup). Check out the full version of events here: http://issuu.com/fremantle-festivals/docs/2014fremantleheritagefestival
May the Fourth (Insert Dodgy Star Wars Slogan Here) - Actually, just a regular Sunday in and around Fremantle...
Sunday Morning at the Growers Green Farmers Market
Funny old day today in our neck of the woods. The sun sits high in the sky but can barely be seen for the clouds. Its definitely chillier than we've encountered in a while, but still a beautiful day. First port of call was theGrowers Green Farmers Market. Not quite in Freo but literally a stones through over the border into Beaconsfield. We arrived around 9:30am and the joint was already jumpin'. A good mix of stalls selling locally grown organic foods, freshly baked bread, fair trade products, arts and crafts, flowers and face painting and a fabulous array of hot breakfast foods. Check out their website for alist of stallholders.
Fresh baked bread!
There was a tough decision involved regarding breakfast. Taste some of the wonderful international foods on offer at the market or head off to one of our regular Fremantle haunts? The lack of tea on offer sent us off to Freo, more specifically toOoton & Lincoln. Ooton & Lincoln is a quirky, busy cafe in South Fremantle, just a couple of streets back from the Esplanade. Unpretentious and yet oh so trendy, we return time and time again for one of the best weekend breakfasts that Freo has to offer. The hubby ordered Polenta with mushrooms, rocket and poached eggs, predictably delicious, and banana bread with yoghurt, poached pears and praline for myself. Simply devine.
Breakfast @ Ooton & Lincoln
Bellies full, time to cycle home. We were drawn across the park to watch the random Salsa Band and dancers doing their thing. Turns out this was the start of the May DayUnions March! Never a dull moment in Fremantle and always full of surprises...
Perhaps I should rename this blog "What to do FIRST in Fremantle?
Well what's one to do on a chilly Monday night in Freo? I can answer this with confidence after spending last night at Bread in Common in the heart of Fremantle. I've been lucky enough to visit this eatery on many previous occasions and the most recent did not disappoint. The converted warehouse is beautifully utilised to make the most of the almost cavernous space. An interior design which is almost as interesting as the food itself, they really have ticked all the boxes in making this a must-see establishment for locals and tourists alike. The menu can be described as cosmopolitan oversized tapas, which on first glance can look a little daunting. I've discovered the best approach is to just roll with it, order a few dishes and see what happens.
We (obviously) started with chunks of freshly basked bread and oil, with a couple of interesting dips (sweet potato and garlic sausage), all delicious and washed down beautifully with a nice glass of shiraz. I'd like to explain the rest of our choices but there is no way I could tell you the ingredients without looking at the menu again, so I'll just summarise in noting that we enjoyed some minty lamb ribs, succulent chicken, tomato and garlic swordfish, chickpeas and mushrooms, courgettes with mint and feta and a million other flavours. Oh and the most amazing roast potatoes that I have encountered in the Southern Hemisphere. Everything was a taste sensation, food arrived promptly, the staff were attentive, friendly and actually managed to look like they enjoyed their job. Well done Bread in Common.
It's the first time I've visited on a Monday night and I would definitely recommend it. There is no waiting to be seated or served, it's still busy enough to provide a nice atmosphere and the noise levels are just right. I have to give it 9.5 out of 10. Go see!! Bread in Common 43 Pakenham Street Fremantle www.breadincommon.com.au (08) 9336 1032
Did you know you can hire a bike for FREE from the Fremantle Visitor Centre? It is without a doubt one of the best ways to explore the back streets and meander down the esplanade, and far less stressful than trying to find a parking spot. It's worth a mention that the bikes are of the very trendy Papillon variety. Alternatively, if your pedal power isn't up to much you can hire an electric bike and take it easy. Perfect. Simply provide your ID and a returnable bond and it's yours for the day. The Visitor Centre is located in Kings Square.
Hire times as follows: Monday to Friday 9.30 am-4.30 pm Saturday 9.30 am-3.30 pm Sunday 10.30 am-3.30 pm Public holidays 10.30 am-3.30 pm Visit Map My Ride for tips on planning your route. All the hard work is done, you just have to decide where to go!
