Freemantle

We finally gave the kids the promised train ride and caught the train to Freemantle (or "Freo" to the locals). It was so simple and easy, with well marked tracks and directions when we changed trains and a timer until the next train left. Just another reason to love Perth.

Freemantle has so many old buildings I was in heaven. There was so much to look at, just in the buildings alone. It looks like it would be a lovely place to spend time if you have the leisure to enjoy a coffee, lunch and a browse through many different shops. Unfortunately kids don't give you that leisure, or perhaps that is just our two.

We got to visit the Roundhouse, which is the oldest building in Freo, built in 1830. It was used as a gaol for abut 35 years and then used as a lock up by the police. Later it was used by the Water Police and then as storage. It is now a heritage site showcasing the gaol part of its life. The main reason we headed there was because they fire a cannon at 1pm every day and we thought that would be fun. Rory had both his hands and mine over his ears, as he was scared it was going to be really loud. And it was! It was an awesome boom that you felt through the ground and in your chest, as well as hearing it.

Underneath the Roudhouse is a tunnel built by a Whaling Company in 1937 to make it easier to get goods from the port to the township.

We explored the Shipwrecks Galleries Museum. What a great, free museum to explore! There are all sorts of artefacts and information on a range of different shipwrecks that have happened off the WA coast. I think one of the most interesting for us was seeing a reconstruction of part of the hull of the Batavia from timbers rescued from the sea floor. We have been seeing so much about the Batavia shipwreck all down the coast, so it was nice to be so close to some of the salvage timbers.  I found some of my favourite artefacts - beardman pottery. There is something so quirky and cool about it.

Anchor from the Batavia (it was huge)

Batavia hull

Beardman Pottery

There are 2 free CAT buses in Freo. One runs east to west and the other north to south. We hopped on the east-west one to take a look at parts of Freo we couldn't walk to, and to complete Rory's public transport experience. The buses are great, running every 10 -15 minutes, and a great way to get around. I would have liked to see the old gaol as it is a UNESCO listed heritage building but it had been a long day and we were all ready to head home. I'm sure there is lots more to Freo that we could have enjoyed but it would take a couple of days at least.

I just really liked this on the foreshore