What can I see on the Fremantle Prison tunnels tour?
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.
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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 By the time the prison closed in 1991 it was dangerously outdated and completely unsuited to task.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.
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