GATEWAY IN THE WEST
LOCATION AND CONTEXT
The port city of Fremantle occupies the south bank of the entrance to the Swan River, 20 kilometres south-west of Perth. Although merged with Perth’s urban sprawl, ‘Freo’ is a city in its own right with a population over 27,000 and a distinctive ethos.
Fremantle lies on a series of limestone hills, bounded to the north and east by the Swan and to the west by the Indian Ocean. Rous Head encloses the northern side of the river mouth. This natural feature has been modified with an industrial development that includes a small harbour for the Rottnest Island ferry service and boat maintenance. The harbour is protected along its seaward edge by a breakwater, extending to the North Mole Light. North of Rous Head, the coastline comprises a strand of stunning beaches up to Cottesloe and Scarborough.
The South Mole breakwater was built in the 1890s to shelter the anchorage for vessels inside the river, a lighthouse was added in 1903. The foreshore south of the river is occupied by Fishing Boat Harbour, Success Harbour and Challenger Harbour, which accommodate the city’s commercial and recreational fleets.
The Swan River forms the lifeline around which Perth and Fremantle have evolved. It begins
