This is a donation entry museum which is small but very fascinating to visit. The volunteers are very knowledgeable and they can give you heaps of history of the roundhouse. “Jonique Life” If you find value in our reviews please consider following our social media outlets on Facebook and Instagram as we highlight magical places you can add to your ever growing bucket list.

This place a lot of important history for the first settlers. Would recommend checking out and dont miss the firing of the canon at 1pm and match your clocks. Love the guides and the staff too.

Netty. Was. Here. At 1pm for the sounding of the bells and firing of the cannon. If your lucky 1 volunteer gets to fire the cannon on the gun deck. Kade was a wonderful guide and host for the event.

Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. The view is amazing from here.

Picturesque building with great views, great little walk from the main cafe strip.

At 1 O clock the Canon is fired. It is worth getting there 15 minutes before to hear the story of the Canon firing. There is no ticket required to see that.

Nice place to get a view of the bay and to learn about the whaling history when exploring the tunnel. They used to kill southern whales to fuel light bulbs and to make clothes. 😭 Leads right onto the bicycle track and is very accessible. Toilets available too. And can check out the art gallery.

Nice place to hand around for some time

The Round House is represented as an eight cell prison, it's not, it was built early as a defensive lookout across the Swan River Bay and to protect the adjacent settlement inland. The early settlers would not have built such an expensive structure merely to hold a few miscreants that could easily be held in a wooden lockup in the settlement itself. Unfortunately it's been promoted as holding prisoners, and even has dummy prisoners in place. The so called cells would be housed for militia manning the gun emplacement and weapons stores. It's about time the daft prison promotion is dropped - and the true purpose of the round house recognised. There were many fortifications built along the English coast to protect against French invasion, they are a pattern for the Round House. Furthermore a well was constructed in the courtyard, an expensive undertaking way beyond the needs of prisoners but to provide for a defensive structure under possible siege. So lose the overheated prisoner mentality present in tourist offices and remove the daft dummies.

Very informative, staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and tell you the stories of this place in a very personable manner. Highly recommend for history lovers.

Pretty good at night even better there's a spooky feeling around

Kids Enjoyed. Very close to the beach and short walk to cafes

Nice view on the city, that was empty on the Good Friday and on the harbour.

Was so interesting. I loved it

Fantastic location and views. We walked around the grounds and enjoyed Bathers beach. The place is clean and well kept. A piece of Fremantle's history. Nice place to visit and absorb the historical past of this Port City.

A fascinating piece of local, state, and national history. Staffed by volunteers who are an absolute encyclopaedia of details on Fremantle and surrounds. An unmissable part of any trip to Freo.

Nowadays Freo is a pretty fun place to be with its cafes, bars, museums and the odd characters who belong to its museums. But back then, if you end up too inebriated you might end up in the Roundhouse instead of the paddy wagon, which even though is situated in an idyllic place overlooking the sea, is a miserable place if you're one of its tenants. It is no surprise that the first permanent building in WA (still standing and well maintained) was a jail. The volunteers who attend the Roundhouse are fantastic and will tell you parts of Fremantle history that's not written down on the walls. If you're a visitor, make sure you list this down as one of your stops. It's only a gold coin entry as well, so don't be a stinge.

Gorgeous little place with a rich history and knowledgeable staff. Gold coins donation. Walk around the grounds and see the old residences and explore the underground tunnel.. 1pm daily has the firing of the cannon and bell drop. Lawns are lovely place to have a rest or some lunch. Easy walking distance to lunch stops on Bathers Beach and a stunning view over Fremantle Harbour. Fantastic photo opportunities if, like me, you are on holiday..!

The Round House is interesting visit if you are keen on history. Entrance is a voluntary donation and you can use touch pay. The exhibition rooms each have their own party of the story to share. The views are lovely too!

The roundhouse sits high on a bluff and is well worth the walk down Hight street, Built in 1831, two years after the Perth colony was founded, it is Western Australia's first prison. A tunnel, was cut through a limestone Ridge and was used to drag whale blubber through to be processed into lamp oil. 😕 Fremantle. It closes at 3.30pm !!!

It naturally feels kinda odd coming here reviewing a prison on it's merits as a wedding backdrop, but here we are. This is one of my favourite wedding locations in Fremantle, beautiful heritage architecture and no shortage of light and shadow play in and around the building. Incredible stuff and a joy to hang around, I took Steph and Zac (or they took me, rather) on a beautiful lap of the area.

Close to the city, interesting history/architecture and nice views over freemantle. For a gold coin donation it’s well worth the visit while in town. The volunteers are friendly and happy to answer questions and provide more information.

Had A Great Time Learning More About Our West Australian History.

Missed out on seeing the inside, the whole area is very interesting though.There is a cannon behind the building, it possibly is fired at some point.

Donation entry, few things to see. Great view from the top, can see the city view and sea view.

Make me surprised, the roundhouse is old, peaceful and historic, the great site to watch sunset, it is different from the buildings and architecture around the seaside, it’s unique.

(Translated by Google) Good views (Original) Buenas vistas

historical

Not a lot to see, entry by gold coin

An historic structure ... the oldest building that still stands in WA.Its Gaol cells are testimony to a dark past. The museum's volunteer guides are knowledgeable and add interest to any visit. Good views of the harbour - and park benches to rest alongside. Photographic art gallery next door. An excellent cafe is 50m from the museum.

Very interesting place, highly recommend stopping by. Just make sure you have gold coins for entry 😊

Informative and helpful volunteers, condition of the structure is fantastic. Only minus was the mess surrounding the tent city in the centre of freo

Glad they kept this historic site. Pity about some of the history behind it

Anyone heading to Fremantle this place is a must if you are interested in history. Volunteers were very informative. My cousin got to fire the cannon at 1pm

I was Lucky enough to push the red button to fire the cannon. It was real and loud. Good fun x

It was such a nice place. I just loved the view. Amazing experience! I would highly recommend everyone to visit this place. You won't regret.

Oldest public building still standing in Western Australia. That alone makes it very much on anyone's list visiting Fremantle City. Story says it was used to keep inmates when it first established. Although you got to wonder why would you build such structure on a strategic location facing the Indian Ocean to just hold prisoners? And only 8 cells? Couldn't you build it somewhere else near and bigger to hold prisoners? Just food for thought. Don't miss the whaling tunnel under the house, including a secret shelter tunnel from WW2 air raids. Cheers

We spoke to a very knowledgeable volunteer here. He was excellent. Cells were well displayed. The outdoor area was also very good. A must to do is to walk through the tunnel. It was all very neat and tidy. 360° views from the lookout here.

Interesting history. Tour guide was useful and informative. Great for photos.

Well worth checking out the history of Fremantle

Historical places that should be visited, there are viewing points along with information and knowledge of the place to study. suitable for taking children to travel

The volunteers here are very knowledgeable and keen to share their knowledge with you. The stocks are not as comfortable as they first appear and the story of the young boy really bring home how brutle and different the times were back then. The curfew bell has a nice peel to it. Unfortunately it's not open every day. Check opening hours.

Really a must see part of Fremantle if you're not from around here. Excellent views and a very interesting tour. Great part of Fremantle's history.

Nice place with a beautiful view and positive staff. By the way, this is the first building of the city and state. Must see.

Enjoyed it but there isn't much there. Recommend going to the nearby shipwreck museum before or after

Such a fascinating place made even better by two amazing volunteers, Peter & Marianne. Thankyou both so much for answering all our questions and making our 10 year old son feel special and included, we’ll be back to see you soon!!

A beautiful building worth a look around the outside. Would never recommend actually going in. After paying $5 by card for an entry for four people (gold coin donation would be $4), GINO decided to come and tell me my donation was insufficient. Furthermore, when I pointed out that I had paid the equivalent of a gold coin donation per person, he stated “I’m not looking for a fight. We have had problems with people from your country before.” A blatantly racist statement. For a volunteer, Gino is a shameful example of Fremantle and WA hospitality. Truly a disgusting experience.

Wow sunset here is something to be seen. What a great little spot to catch the end of a day over the water. Will be back again. 🥰

Lovely place. Must visit locating Perth.

The volunteers were very knowledgeable, it was an awesome building with an amazing heritage. Love it

Great old historic site in Fremantle, gold coin donation and well worth it. If you need any information the volunteers/workers are happy to educate you on the history of this site :) just ask the questions and they will be more than happy to assist you :)

A must visit of this building and especially around 1pm, they fire the only real cannon for the public to look at

Nothing too exciting but the history behind it is awesome

Well kept place, pleasure to visit, nice commentary by guide, a gold coin donation might be too low.

Unreal history. Volunteer who care for the area are very friendly

Great place to visit, staff were entertaining & knowledgeable

Great views lots of photo opportunity’s. The staff that work up here are very nice who genuinely seem to enjoy there work.

Great Historical place for WA.View is surreal.Entry is by donation of gold coin.

Freo rond house joins up with Bathers Beach

Took a wheelchair person to this place and couldn't get her in cos of lack of ramps

Interesting!! Shame it's only open on Saturday from 10am to 3pm lot of history behind those walls

Lacks context and information

Beautiful spot, opens back up on the 1st of August

A great spot for checking out Fremantle and the harbour, and a must for tourists. Youcan go up and look around and also pay a donation to go into the actual roundhouse where the volunteer guides are so helpful and interesting even for kids.

Very informative & hospitable hosts.

Must admit the docent was very knowledgeable and made us feel most welcome.

Very interesting place. The guides were very informative.

Just wanted to return for another holiday

A tourist attraction in Fremantle

Fascinating history retold by splendid volunteers. Worth a visit, for only a gold coin donation.

Great little spot to pop by. We made it for the 1pm gun firing. You can fire the gun if you calm and Pre book or just get there early enough to be first in line. The Round House is worth a quick visit as a historic site.

Its good to know the history. Please visit this place, if you have time. It is operated by the Fremantle Volunteer Heritage Guides. #supportlocaltourism

Always love this place!🌊

Excellent tour.

A great place to watch the sunset with someone special

Found blood stains around cannon but soon c l earned up! Good on ya Freo.Council ,better job when they up grade chemicals

Historical Building

Interesting place to visit and don't forget to explore the galleries in the old houses next to the Round house