night prison tour fremantle

Fremantle Prison Torchlight Tour

Fremantle, wa.

• Desc ription
• Info rmation
• Reviews (4)

Explore the darker side of Fremantle Prison’s history.

The Prison walls echo with stories of loneliness, pain and suffering, of executions gone wrong, of the innocent unjustly imprisoned and the guilty punished.

Join Fremantle Prison guides in the dark as they entertain you with sordid and ghastly stories.

Be warned - these tours are not for the faint hearted.

• 90 minute ghost tour

Fremantle Prison is one of Western Australia’s most fascinating and significant cultural attractions.

The history of Fremantle Prison dates back to the early beginnings of Western Australia and its role in the development of this State is unparalleled. It is the largest convict built structure in Western Australia and the most intact convict establishment in the nation.

In 2010, Fremantle Prison became the first building in Western Australia to be included on the World Heritage list. Its inscription on the World Heritage list was part of a serial nomination with ten other Australian Convict Sites.

The site is also recognised on the National Heritage List and State Register of Heritage Places. It is classified by the National Trust and is part of the City of Fremantle's West End Conservation Area.

Decommissioned as a maximum-security gaol in 1991, the Prison was continuously used as a place of incarceration for almost 140 years. With death row, solitary cells and gallows, it is a monument to a system of punishment that is uncomfortably recent.

Departs every Wednesday and Friday evening. Tours depart regularly from 6.30pm, with multiple tours throughout the evening In summer months, tours depart from 7.00pm onwards.

Bookings and pre-payment essential.

There are currently no dates listed for this experience. Please make an enquiry by pressing the Send email button above.

Wheelchair access approximately 70%.

Tour bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Family price is valid for two adults and up to three children (aged 4 - 15 years)

Accepted concession cards include: Seniors Card, Pensioner Card, Student Card, Backpacker Card (YHA, VIP, Nomads, Peter Pan). Concession rates are available for holders of valid and current concession cards (with a valid sticker or date). All concession cards must be presented at the time of ticket collection to be eligible for concession prices. Any adult seeking a concession must be the main beneficiary of the concession card.

Prices valid until 30 June 2018.

A good ghost tour. The prison in itself is scary at night. Interesting stories of the spirits that reside at the prison. Captured orbs and mists on the camera. Passionate tour guide. Good history of the prison. Fun night out

All prices, availability and tour and product information are subject to change without notification, and while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the prices, availability and tour and product information displayed on this website they are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Ghost Tour Bookings is not a provider of tours, experiences or products and has no responsibility for any tours, experiences or products provided or not provided by the tour operator, supplier or any other party. The tour operators and suppliers provide services and products directly to customers.

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The Fremantle Prison Torchlight Tour: Take It If You Dare

After my not-so-great experience with the Townsville Ghost Tours , I thought it could go either way as either really corny or really exciting. Which way did it go?

Surprisingly it was really good, coming in with a mix of historical facts, ghost stories, a few surprises and an awesome tour guide. Seriously, the tour guide so often has a way of making or breaking an experience, and the tour guides I saw working at the Fremantle Prison were some of the best in the way they told the stories and carried you along from creepy place to creepy place.

That combined with a few people in character in some of the darkest corners around the prison had a way of transporting you back in time.

The Fremantle Prison incarcerated criminals for 140 years until it was decommissioned in 1991. Hundreds of thousands of convicts have passed through those doors during that time, and when you see the facilities of this prison, you will be taken all the way back to the early days during a time of bucket toilets and minimalist security.

So, yes, I would definitely recommend the Fremantle Prison Torchlight Tour . It may cost $25, but it is worth it; you get 1.5 hours of entertainment in this World Heritage listed site , and a good portion of that fee will go to preserve the building itself.

>> Check out things to do in Perth , or read more about Fremantle .

Western Australia Expert

Fremantle Prison Tours Review: Which One is Best?

Looking for a Fremantle prison tours review? Which one is best?

There are five Fremantle prison tours: Convict Prison, Behind Bars, True Crime, Tunnels Tour, and Torchlight Tour.

Our family have taken the Fremantle Prison True Crime Tour and the Behind Bars Tour. We plan on booking the Tunnels tour soon.

This post may contain affiliate links (of companies I book through). This means I may receive a small commission if you book through them. You can read the disclaimer for more information.

When it comes to prisons, most people think of Alcatraz. However, Fremantle Prison in Perth , Western Australia, is a prison that is worth visiting. Fremantle Prison is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Perth and is the largest convict-built structure in Western Australia (and the most intact convict building in the Southern Hemisphere). The prison was used from 1851 until 1991 and is now a tourist attraction.

The Fremantle Prison Tours

Convict prison tour.

The Convict Prison Tour concentrates on the history from its construction to the end of the convict era in 1886. As we already knew a lot about the history, we decided to give this one a miss.

True Crime Tour

Hear the true stories told by your guide of the notorious inmates and their escapades. On this tour, you’ll see the prison cells, exercise yard, and see where prisoners escaped.

Behind Bars Tour

Behind Bars details how a convict-built prison transformed into Western Australia’s primary place of incarceration for men, women and children and served as a maximum security gaol from 1887 to 1991. See the main cell block and exercise yards as you learn about the daily life of the prisoners.

Tunnels Tour

A tour for the adventurous is the Tunnels Tour, which we hope to do soon. You need to wear a hardhat and overalls, lock into a ladder system and descend about 20 metres below the Prison to explore the tunnels built by prisoners. Guides lead you through dry sections of the tunnels on foot, before boarding replica convict punts to explore the submerged passageways accessible only by boat. You may get wet, so a spare pair of socks is recommended.

Torchlight Tour

A popular attraction is the Torchlight Tour but it’s not for the faint hearted. Your guide tells you sordid and ghastly stories in the dark with details of executions gone wrong, innocent people unjustly imprisoned and the guilty punished.

Fremantle Prison Entrance

Pay attention to the historic buildings along the Terrace with signs explaining what they were used for. As you approach the grand Gatehouse, think about all the prisoners that used this entrance at the start and end of their sentence.

The clock above was made in London in 1854 and installed at the front gate in 1856. The deputy superintendent lived on the top floor, while the gatekeeper and chief warder used the lower floor. Later in the 1900s, rooms were used as a visitor entry and search rooms.

Head to the gift shop to collect your tour tickets if you have ordered them online. You can visit the Gallery, Convict Depot, and Museum if you have time before your tour starts. The gallery features several paintings by prisoners throughout Western Australia, which are available to buy. There were some amazing artworks by indigenous Australians that stood out. The museum houses exhibits showcasing the history, conservation, and cultural significance of Fremantle Prison.

There is no entrance fee to enter the Gatehouse area. This includes access to the gift shop, Convict Café, Gallery, Convict Depot, and Museum.

Fremantle Prison Tours: True Crime Tour Review

The tour starts through the main prison gates, where your guide will briefly explain the tour and some rules to keep everyone safe and preserve this historical landmark.

Opposite, you will see the Anglican Chapel, part of the main cell block, which was restored in 2007 to remove the rendering used to cover the limestone in the 60s. It is now back to how it looked when it was first constructed, and much nicer.

As you walk around the perimeter of the main cell block, your guide will regale real-life stories of some of the most notorious prisoners that spent time here. It’s interesting to hear what they got up to and how some even escaped the prison.

I won’t go into detail about the stories as it will spoil your tour. However, we learned about  Martha Rendell  (who was the only woman to be executed here), the  Postcard Bandit ,  Eric Edgar Cooke  (the serial killer who was the last man hung here), Sydney Sutton (the last person to be flogged),  David & Catherine Birnie  (also known as the Moorhouse murderers), and Stephen Burnett and Peter Boyd (The  Rubbish Truck Heist ). Fascinating stuff!

You will see the exercise yard from above, the maximum-security cells, and the cell block during the Fremantle Prison True Crime tour.

Once the tour finishes, you can explore the Gatehouse area and read more about this historic convict prison.

The True Crime Tour at Fremantle Prison is one of the best tours in Perth .

Fremantle Prison True Crime Tour Price

The cost of this tour at August 2023 is A$22 per adult, A$19 for concessions, A$12 per child, and A$62 for a family pass.

The Family Pass is valid for two adults and up to three children (aged 4 – 15 years).

The Fremantle Prison True Crime Tour is not recommended for children under ten due to details relating to sex crimes.

Bookings are recommended in peak times to ensure the time slot you want is available.

Fremantle Prison True Crime Tour Times

This tour runs for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

They run daily every hour from 11.45 am to 4.45 pm.

Fremantle Prison History

Originally known as The Convict Establishment, the name changed to Fremantle Prison in 1867. The site was chosen due to the closeness to the city and the harbour. It was believed that the strong sea breeze would help prevent disease.

The prison was built by convict labour between 1852 and 1859, with limestone quarried on site. The site not only included the prison but accommodation for the officers. The buildings alongside Fremantle Prison, now called The Terrace, consists of four houses and the gatehouse. They housed the superintendent, the deputy superintendent, the chaplain, and the surgeon superintendent. The Knowle, the comptroller-general’s house, is now part of Fremantle Hospital. The grandeur of these residences helped perceive the high status of the young men who lived there. They remained staff lodgings until the 1960 s when they were taken over by prison administration and are now used for commercial and educational purposes.

The Surgeon’s residence was built in 1856 and the prison’s surgeon superintendent, George Attfield, moved in the next year. He was responsible for the patient’s health, including the effects of punishment, and looked after the prison hospital and the lunatic asylum on Finnerty Street. You can see this building before you enter Fremantle Prison.

Superintendent Thomas Dixon was the first occupier of the magistrate’s building which was constructed in 1855. It was in 1886 that the resident magistrate, who was responsible for hearing prisoners’ crimes, moved in. Holding cells were built into the cellar in 1903, which held the prisoners overnight until the reception was open the next day.

Between 1850 and 1868, when convict transportation ceased, nearly 10,000 convicts had come here.

Fremantle Prison remained in use until 1991 and was a dark place of hangings, floggings, riots, and escapes.

By 1886, there were fewer than 60 convicts held here, so Perth Gaol closed, and this became the main prison. Men, women, and juveniles were all imprisoned here.

A Royal Commission in 1983 recommended the prison’s closure, mainly due to a series of prisoner riots and diabolical prison conditions.

Fremantle Prison was decommissioned on 8 November 1991.

Women were already being held at Bandyup, but male prisoners were sent to Casuarina Prison. This replaced Fremantle Prison as Western Australia’s main maximum-security prison.

Where is Fremantle Prison?

Fremantle is a suburb in Perth, Western Australia.

How to get to Fremantle Prison

Besides driving, the easiest way to get to Fremantle from Perth is by train. The journey takes around 30 minutes and will cost approximately A$5 one way. Timetables can be found on Transperth’s site .

There are car hire booths at Perth Airport , but it’s best to pre-book your car rental. To compare Australian car hire prices, Discover Cars is an award-winning car rental comparison website. They offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations worldwide and are highly rated. DriveNow is a good resource to compare campervan hire in Western Australia. It includes all the large companies like Britz, Maui, & Jucy as well as smaller ones. Compare Rental Cars Here .

Other Helpful Guides

• Fremantle accommodation
• Things to do in Fremantle
• Perth sightseeing tours
• Perth 3-day itinerary
• Western Australia Travel Guide

If you found this Fremantle Prison True Crime Tour guide helpful, please consider booking through one of our links. It won’t cost you anything, but will help towards the cost of running this site. Thank you.

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Enquire about Fremantle Prison tours

Fremantle Prison offers a variety of tours that show the history of Fremantle Prison, Western Australia's first World Heritage building.

Bookings are essential and conditions apply on some tours.

If you are a school or group wishing to visit Fremantle you can read about how to plan your visit and tour options on the Fremantle Prison website .

You can also telephone the ticket office on 61 8 9336 9200.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.

Attraction Fremantle Prison

Tourism Western Australia acknowledges Aboriginal peoples as the traditional custodians of Western Australia and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal West Australians and honour their continuing connection to Country, culture and community. We recognise and appreciate the invaluable contributions made by First Nations peoples across many generations in shaping Western Australia as a premier destination.

Fremantle Prison: Unlocking the Secrets of Australia’s Convict Past

• by Must See Sights

The massive stone walls of Fremantle Prison have always held a strange fascination for me. From the moment you step through those imposing gates, you can almost feel the weight of history pressing down on you. It’s a place of stark contrasts – beautiful architecture built for a grim purpose.

If you’re intrigued by Western Australia’s convict heritage, or fascinated by the sometimes chilling stories of the past, a visit to Fremantle Prison won’t disappoint. I’ve been a few times now, and each tour reveals another layer of the Prison’s history. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

A Prison Shaped by Convicts

Built by convict labor between the 1850s and 1886, Fremantle Prison served many roles over its long and often brutal history. To understand it fully, you need to grasp the basics of the British convict transportation system and the role WA played. The Prison’s official website https://fremantleprison.com.au/ has a great history section. There are stories here that will stick with you – tales of daring escapes, harsh punishments, and the sheer resilience of the human spirit.

Your Visit: Planning the Perfect Prison Trip

Fremantle Prison offers several incredible tour options. The “Behind Bars” tour is a classic, showing you the cellblocks, yards, and gallows. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Tunnel Tour takes you through a labyrinth of escape routes dug by prisoners under the complex. Night owls will love the spooky Torchlight Tour – I heard some pretty creepy stories on that one!

No matter which tour you choose, booking in advance is essential, especially during peak season. You can easily get to the prison by public transport from Perth, or there’s limited parking on site. Check their website for all the logistical details.

Hidden Gems, Insider Tips & Things to Know

Don’t miss the Prison Gallery, showcasing incredible artwork by former and current inmates. You can even purchase pieces to support the artists. I was really moved by the stories behind the art. The Chapel with its stained glass windows is another surprisingly peaceful spot.

Fremantle Prison can get busy, so early morning or late afternoon visits tend to be quieter. Also, while the site is largely accessible, it’s best to contact the Prison in advance if you have mobility concerns. Keep in mind that some of the stories and exhibits might be a little intense for young children.

My Connection

I’ve always loved history, the stranger the better! I think that’s why I keep coming back to Freo Prison. It’s more than just a tourist attraction; it’s a stark and beautiful time capsule reminding us of a different era in Western Australia.

Have you visited Fremantle Prison? What was your most memorable experience? Let me know in the comments!

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Honest tourism information about Australia

What can I see on the Fremantle Prison tunnels tour?

• David Whitley
• Attractions

The Fremantle Prison tunnel tours go into the convict-dug tunnels below the historic, World Heritage-listed prison building. There’s a boat cruise through the Fremantle tunnels after an 18 metre ladder descent.

Fremantle Prison is one of the most important historic buildings in Australia. When convicts arrived in Fremantle , Western Australia in the 1850s, one of the most pressing tasks was to build a prison they could be locked away in.

Book your perfect Fremantle accommodation .

When convict shipping from the UK stopped, the Fremantle Prison housed the general population . By the time the prison closed in 1991 it was dangerously outdated and completely unsuited to task. The Fremantle Prison is now a World Heritage site, open to the public for a variety of tours. These are themed on prison life and escape attempts.

Fremantle Prison tunnels tour: Under the prison

The Fremantle Prison tunnels tour, however, goes deeper. Literally deeper – it takes visitors into the network of tunnels under the prison.

These underground passageways were dug out in order to tap into a fresh water supply. This was used first for the prisoners, and then for the whole of Fremantle.

The tunnel water is still used for the prison gardens, but the tunnels themselves are now a tourist attraction. Participants don paper suits, harnesses and helmets, then clip themselves to a safety ladder system.

The initial 18 metre descent on the Fremantle tunnels tour is down a series of ladders. This seems scary enough when you’re clipped on, but the original convicts just had a basic ladder and no safety equipment.

Things to book in Fremantle before you arrive

• Your Rottnest Island ferry tickets and bike hire .
• A best of Fremantle two hour walking tour .
• Whale-watching cruise tickets .
• A street art and beer tour .
• A half day sailing cruise to Carnac Island.
• A sunset sailing cruise .
• A four venue Fremantle bar tour .

How convicts dug the Fremantle Prison tunnels

Under the prison is a kilometre-long network of tunnels. Most of this was dug out by hand. Astonishingly, doing the digging for eight hours a day, six days a week, was seen as one of the better jobs. As long as the prisoners worked hard, they would be given time off their sentence in return. Far worse was standing at the top of the shaft, manually pumping out water all day long.

Once inside the tunnels, there’s a lot of bending over to do. They are not high. Tree roots sneaking through show that the tunnels go outside the prison boundaries.

DON’T MISS OUT! 9 fabulous Perth experiences to book today ✅

• ✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package .
• ✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise .
• ✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience .
• ✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour .
• ✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise .
• ✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour .
• ✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour .
• ✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive .
• ✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour .

Fremantle Prison boat tour

Given that only around a quarter of the tunnel system is walkable, much of the tour is conducted by boat. Participants are loaded into a series of little wooden boats, only big enough for one or two people.

The paddling is self-propelled, and the boat ride goes past spider webs, well shafts and timber supports. It’s a disorientating experience, as there are no landmarks to go by and no maps to read. The lack of things to see make the tour so atmospheric, however. It’s a claustrophobic, underground experience that majors on the weirdness of the location.

The Fremantle Prison tunnels tour must be booked in advance.

The Fremantle tunnels tour costs $65 and lasts around two-and-a-half hours.

5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special

• Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
• Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
• Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
• Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.

The prison is a 24km drive or taxi ride from Yagan Square in Perth CBD . A visit can easily be combined with a browse around the WA Shipwrecks Museum and the Roundhouse , or dining at Bread In Common .

Other Fremantle activities include taking a ride on the Fremantle ferris wheel , going for a sunset cruise and a street art and beer tour by bike.

Fremantle accommodation recommendations

The best Fremantle accommodation options are:

• For distinctive character and a sense of history: Hougoumont Hotel .
• For gorgeous apartments: West End Warehouse .
• For location and cool factor: Warders Hotel Fremantle Markets .
• For a decent pool: Pier 21 Apartmentment Hotel .       
• On a budget: Fremantle Prison YHA .

More underground adventures

The show homes of Coober Pedy , South Australia .

Caving tours at Giants Cave, Margaret River .

More heritage buildings

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Explore the castle in the rainforest at Paronella Park near Innisfail .

Which are the best historic buildings on Collins Street , Melbourne ?

Welcoming visitors since 1850

Step inside and do time

Get Inside the criminal mind

Explore the darker side of history

Descend into the depths below

Whats on at fremantle prison.

Event Sat 4 May | Sat 18 May

Event Sat 11 May

Women on the Inside

Our recent awards (hover for details)

Australian Tourism Awards - Cultural Tourism 2021 Gold Winner

WA Tourism Awards - Cultural Tourism 2023 Silver Winner

WA Tourism Awards - Major Tourist Attraction 2023 Silver Winner

Media release

Photo: Sandfly performers skip through a scene of ‘Ahoy!’ by the Act Belong Commit Sandfly Circus. Theatre Kimberley, Broome, 2022. Photo by Robak Photography.

The Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups and the Arts Projects for Organisation s grant programs support the development and growth of a sector that promotes the participation and active engagement of WA communities in high quality arts and cultural experiences.

The programs, which have three rounds of funding each financial year, offer up to $80,000 each for artists and creative industry professionals and organisations to deliver a one-off project or program of activities.

In the latest round of funding, which opened on 19 December 2023 and closed on 1 February 2024, there were 46 successful applicants sharing a total of $1,315,475 in the ‘individuals and groups’ stream and there were 29 successful applicants sharing $1,792,013 in the ‘organisations’ stream.

Applications for the next funding round are now open and close on 30 May 2024.

Successful applicants for the Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups grant program:

A.m birch & g newton-wordsworth — joan & the giants 10 track debut album — $24,850.  .

Perth alt-pop rock band to record and release a 10 track debut album in July and August 2024.

Allen, Natalie — Fremantle Arts Centre Residency — $69,037

An 8-week residency at Fremantle Arts Centre diving into the depths of shame that will be the central idea of a new immersive dance theatre work, 'The Abyss'. Lead artist Natalie Allen will create, and collaborate methodologies with human behavioural trauma specialist, Sylvia Marina.

Barker, Emily Ann Barker — UK Promotional Tour — $16,079

WA based singer songwriter to undertake a three-week promotional tour of their new album in the United Kingdom in May 2024.

Boroujeni, Fatemeh — Shirzan, exhibition — $10,750

The completion of work for IOTA24 exhibition at John Curtin Gallery in August. The elements will enhance and seamlessly integrate carved 3D works into a cohesive and impactful showcase and visitor experience.

Burrows, Emily — Web Rumors — Album Marketing, Promotion and Distribution in Europe and UK — $10,809

Perth new wave musician/producer to market, promote and distribute her new album in Europe and the UK from May to November 2024.

Button, Joshua — Once upon a time, the Buttonverse — $15,090

Training at the Centre for Stories in Perth to create imaginary characters from the Buttonverse, a parallel universe where all my alter egos and personal experiences live.

Carmody, Samuel Stephen — Gracetown, draft of second novel — $40,911

Funding to research, write and develop a full first draft and subsequent second draft of Gracetown, and engage editor Zoë Bradley to complete two manuscript assessments.

Cheng, Jacky — Interwoven remnants for IOTA 2024 — $21,640

Funding to expand on and resolve an experimental body of work begun in 2023 utilising canvas offcuts from Spinifex Hill Studio to create new woven works to be installed as a large-format site-specific work at FORM Gallery in Perth.

Cironis, Olga — Noise in this Silence, exhibition — $23,618

An exhibition at Art Collective in June 2024 which will include 13 violins individually covered and stitched in grey military blankets, suspended in the gallery with seven speakers transmitting sounds of human movement in nature.

Elson, Sarah — I can’t help but pull the earth around me to make my bed, exhibition — $12,897

Funding for the display of work in a collaborative exhibition to be held at WA Art Collective in October 2024. The exhibition will bring together work from both Sarah Elson and Ric Spencer and include drawings and metal sculpture. The funding is essential for framing of large pencil drawings, vitrine making for the display of sculptures and photography.

Elstermann, Scott Marcus — Foleyvision, final development and presentation — $78,696

Foleyvision is a new contemporary dance work choreographed by Scott Elstermann. Funding is required to support a final three-week development, production week and five show presentation season at Subiaco Arts Centre Studio in October 2024.

Franz, Caterina — Development and production of major new work — $12,000

Production of a new work that delves into the role of seamstresses in 1950s and 1960s Italian society. The installation will form part of an exhibition to be held at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, UWA in September 2024.

Gardiner,Leigh —  Tender is the Night 2024  — $14,992

Western Australian singer songwriters perform their music in concert with a string quartet in Perth from May 2024 to February 2025.

Haakansson, Elham —  a love letter to the Nightingale, theatre adaptation — $64,388

A new immersive play by Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson in collaboration with Iranian-Australian emerging artists and an expert support team, premiering as part of The Blue Room Theatre’s Annual Season in October 2024.

J A Champion & J K Osborne & N J Osborne — Yomi Ship European Tour and Showcase — $38,497

Perth instrumental progressive band to undertake a European tour and showcase from May to August 2024.

JD Ellis & JM Terlick & BJ Wilkie & AD Wright — Alter Boy Album Campaign — $37,027

Perth alternative pop band to complete the mixing, mastering, marketing, and promotional materials for their debut album in Perth from May to October 2024.

Klysz, Libby — Producer professional development — $23,090

Bespoke professional development for performing arts producing in mid-2024 including skill sharing/ upskilling with other independent producers.

Kobayashi, Hiroshi — Rhizograph-Rhizogram, exhibition — $14,594

A 2024 solo exhibition, a workshop, and the creation of an interactive WebGL site at Rockingham Arts Centre, showcasing the artist's unique machinery production methods, followed by participation in the Moores Building Art Space Studios Program.

L Allan-McConchie & SD Henry & BK Lush  — Primrose Path - Record and Release New Songs  — $9,260

Perth progressive rock/metal to band record and release four new songs in Perth from May to July 2024.  

Lawson, Andrew — L.A. Professional Development Trip — $7,053

WA producer/sound engineer to undertake a professional development trip in Los Angeles in September 2024.

LM Del Fante & TC Harper & SB Torrance — Ghost Care — 'Don't I Know U' East Coast Single Tour — $8,655

Perth independent rock band to undertake an east coast tour to promote new single in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in May 2024.

Longley, Samuel — VEHICLE, Canadian Fringe tour — $17,995

Remounting and then touring the Western Australian independent theatre production of VEHICLE to the Montreal and Ottawa Fringe Festivals in mid-2024.

MA Greenwood & FA Lessac-Greenwood — National author tour — $9,611

Presentation at the StoryArts Festival in Queensland and school visits and workshops in Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Victoria, to coincide with the release of 'The Dragon's Treasure' and 'The Vanishing' to be published by Fremantle Press in July 2024.

Mah, Hock Meng Desmond — Twisted tree tells his tales, a solo exhibition — $9,510

A solo exhibition of 12 contemporary paintings to be held at the Mossenson Galleries, Perth/Boorloo in Oct 2024.

McKinlay, Megan — The Cumulo-Nimbus Boys' Choir, novel development — $17,028

Research and writing of a novel for ages 8 to 12 in 2024. The work will have broad narrative appeal for its intended readership in addition to being richly thematic and thought-provoking. Its publication will both consolidate and diversify a longstanding career as a writer for young people.

McKnight, Justine — The Net of Time, collaborative project completion and residency — $24,075

Completion of long-term collaborative project over a one month residency at Fremantle Arts Centre in September and October 2024.

Meakins, Timothy — Body Mould, exhibition — $31,766

The creation and exhibition of new works that aim to investigate the visual capabilities of our bodies, probing and stretching the possibilities of muscular transformation. This project will take place at Sweet Pea, Perth, in 2024 and create the opportunity to collaborate with UAP.

Mitchell, Adam — Perth Playwriting Festival — $79,052

A nine-day playwriting festival consisting of workshops, readings and panels in November 2024.

Mitchell, Scott-Patrick — Incantations To A Drowned Canyon, book — $29,370

Funding for 14 months to complete a second poetry collection and assist with researching the coastal landscape and the way West Australians – and particularly those who are working class and financially unstable – access our beaches. Activity will also include three free workshops exploring The Poetry of WA Beaches, and 15 hours of mentoring from Alan Fyfe.

Nelson, Sarah — Into The Fog — $61,856

This funding will support the continued development of  'Into the Fog', a multidisciplinary theatre work integrating unconventional masks, puppetry, illusion and interactive design. Evolving the everyday into the hyperreal, ‘Into the Fog’ is inspired by Nelson’s account of living in prolonged isolation with Long Covid and her subsequent development of FND (Functional Neurological Disorder). This development is supported through PICA’s residency program.

OC Bolt & JW Tesser — Ra Ra Viper - Debut Album — $25,835

Perth indie rock band to record and release their debut album in Perth from May 2024 to February 2025.

Oceanique Music — Oceanique to record and release their second album — $23,570

Albany Indie folk duo to record and release their second album in regional WA from May 2024 to May 2025.

Perret, Martine — Djanga — Spirit — $14,624

The final stage of creative development of work by Martine Perret in collaboration with Elders Vivian Brockman Webb and Mitchella Hutchins with artist Roly Skender towards project titled: 'Djanga-Spirit', which focuses on Wardandi culture. The culminating exhibition and installation will integrate photography, video, audio, music, and be presented at The Farm Margaret River during Margaret River Open Studios in Sept and at the Museum of the Great Southern in Albany from Nov 2024 to March 2025.

Phillips, Perdita — Expanded Terrains parts 1 and 2: creating and exhibiting art about geology and place — $32,963

A period of intense studio developments to develop a suite of artworks that expand on a 2023 Activating Collections AIR Program at Museum of the Goldfields. Photographs, animations, prints, and short videos will be created for exhibition at Artgold.

Purtill, Emily Tsokos — ELIA, development — $6,209

Funding to work on writing second Greek-Australian novel which will focus on an immigrant family and their olive groves in Australia and in Greece.

Ransom, Tanya — New Album Recording — $36,466

WA singer songwriter to record a studio album featuring 11 folk country songs in Bunbury from August to October 2024.

Redhead, Tracy — Semantic Machine — Final Development — $15,100

Multifaceted WA artist's Final Development of the Semantic Machine app, an innovative song/mobile application from May to August 2024.

Robinson, Tyrone — squared-OFF — a double bill — $77,617

This funding is for the presentation of two full length dance shows (Madre Muerte & Acid Trip) by Tyrone Earl Lraé Robinson. This program is a representation of the diverse works that Tyrone creates as part of the OFF-base collective.

Schwarz, Janien — Underfoot: Melange — $8,717

The Underfoot collective is exhibiting Melange at Mundaring Arts Centre as part of IOTA24. Funding will support gallery hire and a residency that will transform Gallery 2 into an experiential geo-themed space for conversations and exchanges between the arts and sciences.

Searle, Sarah — A Home in Her, a graphic novel — $13,835

A Home in Her is a graphic novel set in Western Australia that explores themes of language, identity, and home. Funding is requested to support the final steps of project creation, plus expenses associated with the printing and promotion of a self-published art edition.

Symczycz, Kirsten — Debut Album — $20,625

Perth composer, pianist, and accordionist to record and release a debut album of original compositions in Perth from May 2024 to March 2025.

The Trustee for Pond Band Unit Trust — Pond 13-date US tour to promote 10th studio album — $40,393

Perth indie band to undertake a 13-date US tour to promote the release of their 10th studio album in May 2024.

Tippett, Monique — Reach Scotland international art residency and Edinburgh sculpture workshop — $16,498

Expansion of creative relationship with 3D sculpture and wood during a a four-week research and development residency and Edinburgh sculpture workshops in 2024.

Tweedie,Mark — Carnarvon residency and solo exhibition — $17,862

A research and development residency in Carnarvon during June 2024, including community and school workshops, followed by the creation of a new body of work for a solo exhibition at Art Collective WA in 2025.

Van der heyden, Christy — Gutharraguda Kaju Katka (Skywalk), TEXTILES FROM THE PARK — $79,982

HOOSH Designs has been invited by local Traditional Custodian and SkyWalk Café operators Nhanda Enterprises in Kalbarri National Park to contribute to the The Nanda Gutharraguda Kaju Katka (Skywalk) bush tucker project event by creating a fashion and wearable arts project.

Weston, Julie — Hickey Hardware fashion collections — $50,983

Marketing project to support product diversification of Hickey Hardware in 2024 with medical scrubs and commercial upholstery to deliver sustainable commercial viability and growth.

Sandfly performers skip through a scene of ‘Ahoy!’ by the Act Belong Commit Sandfly Circus. Theatre Kimberley, Broome, 2022. Photo by Robak Photography.

Successful applicants for the Arts Projects for Organisations grant program:

Australian dance council - ausdance wa branch inc — capacity building program — $80,000.

WA dance organisation to deliver a program of professional development and provide critical services to build the capacity of the WA dance industry from July 2024 to June 2025.

Big hART Inc — Punkaliyarra Creative Development — $75,000

Multi-art form project that will deliver two creative developments of a performance work in Roebourne from May to December 2024.

Centre for Culture and Technology, Curtin University — String Craft: Bilum + Dilly Bags — $53,100

'String Craft: Bilum + Dilly Bags' will exhibit at the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial, commencing November 2024, to promote Western Australian string craft artists and practices. The exhibition will celebrate the cultural and gendered significance of string crafts to indigenous Australian and Papua New Guinean communities, notably the Aboriginal Dilly Bag and the PNG Bilum.

Children's Book Council of Australia Western Australian Branch Inc — CBCA WA Children's Book Week 2024® — $75,000

A children's book week event to be held in metropolitan & country centres across WA in August 2024.

Cool Change Contemporary Inc. — Cool Change Special Projects Partnership with Pakenham Art Space— $62,729

Cool Change and Pakenham Street Art Space will partner in 2024 to accept proposals from emerging and experimental practitioners to fill their upstairs gallery. The partnership will allow Cool Change to combine networks and resources to expand its audience base and set a precedent for future collaborations.

DesignFreo Inc — Fremantle Design Week 2024 — $79,315

A multi-disciplinary design festival that brings seven days of exhibitions, talks, tours, workshops, films, open studios, and special events to Fremantle in October 2024.

Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC — Moorditj Koominyoo Dit Koorl (Strong Community Together) — $78,000

Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation will deliver three linked community arts projects led by First Nations artists in 2024: NAIDOC Week, Esperance Wildflower Festival, and Boodja Dwordak Wirn / Bringing Country's Spirit Back to Life Light Trail with Illuminart. These projects will produce two public community sculpture outcomes and two community dance performances.

International Art Space Pty Ltd — Circular Economies, Stage One Development — $64,350

Stage one of a two-year program of residency-based, context responsive projects in regional WA communities by five international, national, and local artists, that will facilitate knowledge sharing between regional communities and artists across the globe. Artists will spend six weeks engaging communities to develop collaborative projects addressing local issues.

Jindahood Pty Ltd — Follow the Sun — $40,000

WA singer and songwriter to create a book of songs and illustrations in both Noongar and English in Perth and Bunbury from June 2024 to April 2025.

Margaret River Region Open Studios Inc — Marketing uplift for Margaret River Region Open Studios 2024 — $66,000

Margaret River Region Open Studios will increase its marketing efforts for the 2024 event by providing a high-quality marketing mix delivered by local professions. It will include an enhanced 60-page event guide, PR and publicity, social media management, professional photography and videography, and e-news preparation.

Music Book Stories Inc. — Chimera Ensemble's 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Concert — $13,212

Perth chamber music organisation to stage a 10th year anniversary chamber music concert in Perth from 2 May to 26 May 2024.

Perth Comic Arts Festival Organising Committee — Perth Comic Arts Festival activities for 2024-2025 — $62,277

Perth comic arts festival to deliver an annual program of free activities in Perth from May 2024 to April 2025.

Perth International Cabaret Festival Limited — Creative planning and business development for Perth International Cabaret Festival — $80,000

In July 2024, the Perth International Cabaret Festival will launch a series of cabaret activities and shows during the year to increase the profile, understanding and popularity of cabaret across the state.

Perth International Jazz Festival Inc. — 2024-25 Perth International Jazz Festival Program of Events — $79,600

Perth International Jazz Festival will run a year-round series of events including an annual program of live music performances complement at Camelot Hall in Mosman Park. The program of events will complement the multi-weekend Jazz Festival in Perth and the South-West of WA, commencing in October 2024.

Propel Youth Arts WA Incorporated — Propel Launchpad — $80,000

Youth arts organisation to undertake a new pilot initiative that empowers young and emerging artists in WA from June 2024 to April 2025.

Pvi Collective Ltd — 'booster' Creative Development and Programming — $50,000

‘booster’ has been commissioned by The Substation (VIC) and Perth Festival to undertake creative development and beta testing over three years.  This second stage development will incorporate creative development and interface programming and design for this immersive performance role playing game.

Same Drum Pty Ltd — Business Development — $79,930

Not or profit WA arts and digital organisation to undertake professional and skills development to develop commercial sustainability in Perth from July 2024 to June 2025.

Sculpture at Bathers — Sculpture at Bathers 2025 — $79,730

Sculpture at Bathers is a 17-day biennial arts event staged at Fremantle’s Bathers Beach/ Manjaree, showcasing the works of contemporary Western Australian sculptors. Opening March 2025, it is a free and accessible public event which will include a sculpture trail, indoor exhibition, and public programs.

Segrave Pty Ltd — Presentation at Sydney Contemporary 2024 — $9,458

Perth art gallery Moore Contemporary to present art works by three Western Australian artists at Sydney Contemporary 2024 in September 2024.

South Summit Band Pty Ltd — South Summit - National Headline Tour For Debut Album — $23,550

South Summit Band will embark on a headline tour of their new album around Australia and to New Zealand in the latter half of 2024. Performances in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, Auckland and Brisbane will average a 500 capacity and mark South Summit's biggest headline tour to date.

The Artists’ Foundation of Western Australia Limited — Artsource’s Annual Program of Activities — $80,000

Artsource will support Western Australian visual artists with a member services program including professional development, insurance, networking, exhibitions, employment and advocacy services. It will also promote Western Australian artists, liaise with stakeholders such as local governments to connect them with artists, manage subsidised artist studios and Old Customs House.

The Equity Benevolent Guild of WA Inc — The 2024 Performing Arts WA Awards — $22,000

The 2024 Performing Arts WA Awards will be held at the Heath Ledger Theatre on 12 August 2024 to celebrate performing arts professionals across theatre, dance, musicals and opera.

The Perth Centre for Photography Inc — Annual Program of Exhibitions — $80,000

The Perth Centre for Photography will deliver an exhibition, education and audience engagement program showcasing local, national, and international artists. The program will feature collaborations with galleries and institutions from across WA to reach new audiences and participants.

The Southern River Band Pty Ltd — 'Stan Qualen' European/UK Single Tour — $78,000

Perth rock band to undertake their first international tour of Europe and the UK in May and June 2024.

Theatre 180 Inc — Catalpa — Flight to Freedom’ Creative Development — $59,547

Theatre 180 will collaborate with WA Museum in a stage one creative development for its fifth Cineplay production. The plays tell the historical story of the Catalpa rescue of six Fenians from Fremantle prison in 1986, to coincide with a WA Museum exhibition for the events’ 150th anniversary.

Wanjoo Pty Ltd — Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse Llais Festival (Cardiff) Residency — $31,241

Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse will engage in a residency and a performance at the 2024 Llais Festival, Cardiff. The residency will include six workshops with linguistically diverse young people, connecting culture and language, while learning songs that will be performed as a youth choir of more than 150 voices.

Warlayirti Artists Aboriginal Corporation Inc — Annual Program of Events and Outreach — $79,921

Aboriginal arts organisation to deliver an annual program of events & outreach across the Kutjungka/Kimberley from May 2024 to April 2025.

Woodfordia Inc — Off the Beaten Track — $57,585

Not-for-profit community organisation to commission musicians to perform live original music in small local halls in rural/regional WA from June to September 2024.

Writing WA Inc — Perth Metropolitan Emerging Writers Development Program — $74,052

Writing WA will present a highly focused professional development program in support of 20 emerging Western Australian writers, to develop their career sustainability and the skills to find trade publication. The project builds on the framework of Fremantle Press’ previous emerging writers’ programs and will include mentoring, writing workshops and ongoing mentorship support.   

More information about the programs and how to apply

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• Convict Prison Tour
• Experiences

Discover the history of Fremantle Prison from its construction in the 1850s until the end of the convict era in 1886.

Find out why almost 10,000 men were transported from Great Britain and Ireland, how they built their own prison and helped shape the future of Western Australia.

Guided tour.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Full terms and conditions will be provided during the booking process or upon request.

Fremantle Prison 1 The Terrace Fremantle Western Australia

Public tours depart daily every hour, from 10:00am– 5:00pm. Exclusive group tours are available at 9:45am, 10:15am, 10:30am, 11:45am, 1:00pm, 2:15pm, 3:30pm, 4:45pm and 5:15pm (subject to availability). Public tours 1.25 hours / Private tours 1 hour.

Adult $22.00 / Child $12.00 (aged 4–15)

Min 1 / Max 35 (Min 10 for private tour bookings)

This is a premium experience developed with Cultural Attractions of Australia in mind.

Discover 140 years of prisoner art and explore the Fremantle Prison Collection.

Do time and explore Fremantle Prison’s history as a maximum-security prison.

Explore the darker side of Fremantle Prison’s history.

Get inside the criminal mind.

Descend 20 metres below Fremantle Prison to explore a labyrinth of tunnels built by prisoners.

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