South Fremantle
Locals have been keeping this eclectic coastal hamlet all to themselves. fleur bainger lifts the lid on South Fremantle.
South Fremantle Is The kind of place where you’ll find a book exchange on one street, and spot locals raiding a mulberry tree on another. The urban village, 25 kilometres from Perth’s city centre, also loves dressing itself up with street art but equally, adores the raw simplicity of a stroll on the beach. People smile as they walk their dogs and teens skateboard home while 20 somethings get about in bare feet. There’s a feeling of friendly nonchalance as you move through the mix of workers cottages, townhouses and modern architecture, often topped with solar panels and shaded by Norfolk pines and plane trees.
This local’s secret, which stretches for two square kilometres along Perth’s southern coast, was settled in 1831. It wasn’t always as pretty as it is now though the area’s attachment to industrial scale sheds, marine operators, fish processors and a freight train line provides an ongoing link to its history With seas out front calmed by nearby islands, it became a natural shipping harbour.
By the turn of the century, an abattoir was built to service the livestock arriving on ships from the state’s far north, and surrounding grounds were used as holding pastures. As the population grew, market gardens sprung up and a railway leading to Fremantle was constructed. Commercial lime kilns provided work, and a coal fired power station was added to the heavy industry cluster.
Immigration waves in the 1950s and ’60s further boosted residential numbers. In recent years, the industrial waterfront and its two traditional pubs have been introduced to a growing number of characterful cafes, boutiques, galleries and casual restaurants.
Phil Thompson, co owner of The Local Hotel, says postcode 6162 is typified by its sense of community: “It is a neighbourhood full of interesting, creative and progressively minded individuals.” He sees every kind lean on his historic bar. “White collar, blue collar, no collar. Artists, professionals, tradesmen, students, singles, families, retirees. It’s a great mix across a broad demographic spectrum.”