Growers Market | Ooton & Lincoln | Samba?!

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 the Growers 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 a list 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 to Ooton & 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 Day Unions March! Never a dull moment in Fremantle and always full of surprises...

Perhaps I should rename this blog "What to do FIRST in Fremantle?

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Ooton & Lincoln

258 South Terrace  South Fremantle, WA 6162

08 9335 6109

Open Mon - Sun 

6:30am - 5:00pm

Reviews

Bread in Common - 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

Free Bike Hire In Fremantle

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! 

Anzac Day in Fremantle

Looking for things to do this Anzac Day? Fremantle has got it going on!
Here's a quick run down of the days events, starting early..

ANZAC Day Dawn Service 
Monument Hill War Memorial, Fremantle

4:50 am
Didgeridoo player with wartime footage.
5:35 am
Assembly of wreath layers on east side of Monument Hill
5:50 am
Welcome bugler and wreath laying ceremony
The Ode - Australian Army
Last Post - Flags lowered to half mast
One Minute Silence - Catafalque party to present arms
Flypast Reveille - Flags raised back to full mast
Prayer - Father Raymond Clee
In Flanders Fields Recital - Royal Australian Airforce
ANZAC Day Address - Captain Potter.


The ANZAC Day Commemorative Exhibition 

Fremantle Town Hall, 8 William Street, Fremantle
8.00 am to 3.00 pm
Entry is free.
9:00 am
Sing Australia Choir will be performing a repertoire of wartime songs.


ANZAC Day Parade Fremantle 

9:45 am
Parade assembly at Esplanade Reserve
10:15 am
Parade Step Off
10:30 am
Salute outside Mad Monk on South Terrace
11:00 am
Parade returns to Esplanade for closing ceremony

Flypast
ANZAC Day Address - Mayor Brad Pettit
Blessing - Father Colin Tett
The Ode - RSL Fremantle Branch
Last Post - Flags lowered to half mast
One Minute Silence
Rouse - Flags are raised to full mast
Closing Address - Australian Army, Brigadier Stephen Cain
National Anthem


No doubt that this will be an amazing day with the air full of patriotism and pride for this beautiful country and those that fought to keep it so.

Lest We Forget.

Freo Markets

There are 2 markets in Freo, one perfectly situated at the end of the cappuccino strip, opposite the Fremantle Ovel, with the other (B Shed) behind the train station and perched on the edge of the Swan river. Both are open Friday to Sunday, with the former most certainly being the most lively of the two.

The main Fremantle Markets are almost always packed to the brim, and even the tourist tat is quite charming, as it sits mingling with the ever random array of ornaments, clothing, jewellery, art, stuffed toys and natural remedies that are only a smidgin of the goods on offer. As you walk further into the Markets you'll likely be hearing someone hammering the ivories of an old upright piano in one ear, whilst listening to the free live entertainment provided by the pub (yes there is a pub in the heart of the market) in the other! The second half of the market (known as The Yard) is nothing short of a foodie haven, with huge paella pots, freshly brewed coffee, chocolate dipped fruit and freshly baked bread, all up for grabs, not to mention the stalls full of local fresh produce that you can take home for dinner.

Crazy and frantic and totally a must-do! 

Click here to view an interactive map >>

Opening Hours

The Yard
Friday: 8am - 8pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8am - 6pm

The Hall
Friday: 9am - 8pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9am - 6pm