Fremantle Prison, also known as Fremantle Gaol, is one of Western Australia’s most iconic heritage sites and a recognised UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Site. Constructed between 1852 and 1859 using convict labour and limestone quarried on-site, the prison operated for more than 130 years before closing in 1991.
Set across 15 hectares (36 acres) in the heart of Fremantle, the site is enclosed by original 4.6-metre-high limestone walls, creating a secure and self-contained heritage precinct. Its authentic architecture and diverse environments make it a unique setting for film, television, commercial and photographic productions.
Key locations include the historic Gatehouse, Parade Ground, Main Cell Block, chapels, New Division, former Women’s Prison, Hospital, Workshops and heritage cottages. The site offers a range of distinctive backdrops, from imposing prison interiors and expansive yards to industrial spaces and period buildings.
Beneath the prison lies a remarkable network of underground tunnels, originally constructed to access fresh water from a natural aquifer. Combined with the site's historic corridors, stairwells and exercise yards, these spaces provide atmospheric and highly versatile locations rarely found elsewhere.
Today, Fremantle Prison welcomes visitors through a range of guided tours and experiences, operating daily from 9.00am–5.00pm, with extended evening operations for the popular Torchlight Tours.
As a secure and actively managed heritage site, all visitor access is supervised. Photography and filming projects are subject to approval, operational requirements and compliance with Fremantle Prison’s filming and photography policies.
Whether you're seeking a UNESCO World Heritage backdrop, authentic 19th-century architecture, heritage buildings, industrial spaces or unique underground environments, Fremantle Prison offers a diverse range of striking locations within a single, centrally located site.