48 Hours in Fremantle
Discover the happening food scene in this heritage city just 30 minutes from Perth’s CBD.
The stay
It took nine years of restoration to transform 23 heritage-listed cottages into the now-luxurious guestrooms of Warders Hotel, in the historic heart of Walyalup (Fremantle). Built in the 1850s to house warders working at the nearby jail, the property marries many of its original features, from raw limestone to open fireplaces and reclaimed timbers, with contemporary touches, such as marble-clad ensuites. Portraits of famous locals by artist Tessa MacKay line the walls and complimentary minibars are stocked with regional treats, including Warders’ own ale, Calamity Rod, brewed just 200 metres up the road. In an adjoining terrace is Gimlet, the hotel’s snug café-by-day, gin-bar-by-night, where guests can enjoy a morning coffee or an evening G&T surrounded by nautical knick-knacks and plenty of period charm. Taking over the cottages’ former backyard is Asian-fusion eatery Emily Taylor, which nods to the city’s multicultural history with a menu that melds Eastern cuisine with WA produce. Expect exceptional dumplings from brunch to lunch and beyond – don’t miss the lobster with Manjimup truffle and the Linley Valley pork xiao long bao.
The restaurant
Slick Italian newcomer Vin Populi deals in classic antipasti and housemade pastas, such as rigatoni amatriciana and tagliatelle osso bucco. Heroing seasonal ingredients at their peak, the menu changes daily and is scrawled on a giant chalkboard. Even the wine list is constantly in flux, sometimes changing several times a day. You can bank on plenty of Italian imports alongside a range of top drops from the state’s smaller boutique vineyards.
The café
Taking pride of place on South Terrace’s so-called “cappuccino strip”, Sailing for Oranges is an ode to the Mediterranean merchants who brought the flavours of the Iberian Peninsula to the Antipodes in the mid-1800s. The most inspired examples? Eggs Benedict spiked with guindilla pepper and chilli scrambled egg with fiery chorizo, best paired with Five Senses coffee.
The walk
Fremantle has been a centre of trade and an important ceremonial site for the Nyoongar people for thousands of years. An In Culture walking tour along the Manjerri Trail, led by Whadjuk man Steven Jacobs, offers a personal perspective on the ancient lore and customs of Walyalup Country, while also taking in the glorious waterfront between the port and South Beach.
