Fremantle Arts Centre

These days the beautiful limestone arches and towers of the historic Fremantle Arts Centre (FAC) are a sanctuary of creativity. Raised up on a tree-shrouded hill looking out to the harbour, it’s a gorgeous spot to have a picnic, catch live music, see a play, explore art and history exhibitions, attend film screenings and comedy nights. But you might find a fair few of the staff have a spooky story to tell. The gothic structure was built as a lunatic asylum by convicts in the 1860s, and there’s many a terrible tale soaked into these old stones. Its history shifts through poor house, to maternity hospital, to military barracks before taking up the FAC mantle in 1973 after a close shave with demolition in the '50s. All of this gives the joint a thrumming new life. Home to several studios for artist residences, it's a place where there’s always something exciting happening, with Found gift shop a great spot to pick up treasures from local makers. When summer rolls around, the south lawn jumps to the beat of brilliant gigs.