Foodie Freedom in Fremantle

If it’s one thing that the Aussies do well – it’s food markets! Finding myself in Fremantle for the second time in 6 months, the decision over where to go for lunch was an easy one. The website for Fremantle Market boasts “Listen carefully and you might just hear the horse and carts of yesteryear.” Yesteryear may take a little imagination – but it’s a tour through several continents in the space of just a couple of aisles, laden with an array foods and aromas to draw you in. Ironically with so much choice, I was still drawn back to ‘What the Bao!’ – Asian fusion food at its best, as I discovered on my first visit!

Fremantle Food Market

Less than 1km from the markets is a very different place – Fremantle Prison. Stepping into the reception area of the main cell block, a guide disguised as a prison officer, took us through the ‘Behind Bars Tour’ In 2010 the prison was the first building in Western Australia to be listed on the World Heritage List. Visitors of one kind or another have been welcomed since 1850, but it wasn’t until 1992 that guests paid to go by choice to have a look around! When you learn that the prison was home to convicts, colonial prisoners, prisoners of war and maximum-security detainees, you know you are standing on a piece of history. Add to that the fact that it still was home to prisoners up until 1991, in very basic conditions was a sobering thought.

Fremantle Prison

One word of caution – nothing is held back in the vivid descriptions provided in the execution chamber, and it’s not for the feint hearted. Post tour recovery ice creams in the Convict Café were the order of the day – if an excuse was ever needed!