Fremantle Prison YHA – Now Open

Fremantle Prison YHA in Western Australia is now open, providing unique accommodation in a World Heritage-listed nineteenth century jail. YHA has converted the property into a 200-bed place to stay - guests can even sleep in original cells or prison warder's cottages!

Through a heritage-sensitive renovation, Fremantle Prison YHA combines historic charm with purpose built facilities including brand new private rooms and dormitory-style accommodation. This one-of-a-kind YHA contains the original fabric of the prison (including walls, floors and cells) and its history is interpreted and displayed throughout the building.

To stay costs from just AUD$28 per person per night in multi-share dormitory style accommodation. Twin/double en-suite rooms cost from AUD$120 per night (family en-suite rooms from AUD$140.) Perfectly-preserved 8-bed Victorian-era guards' cottages, located just outside the front gates, cost from AUD$280 per night. For the real deal, twin bed cells are available from AUD$68 per night.

Fremantle Prison YHA offers all the facilities that budget travellers need, including a self-catering kitchen, large common areas, TV rooms, a laundry and luggage storage. The reception is open 24 hours and there is a travel and tours desk to help guests fully experience the area. There is ample parking, air conditioning, heating, lockers, a pool table, ping pong and Wi-Fi. Groups are also catered for with dedicated facilities, including a conference room.

The history of the site dates back to 1829, when the area, dubbed the Swan River Colony was designated for free-settlers. However, the settlement's fledgling agricultural industry soon floundered, due to a lack of workers and transport and administrative issues. With the colony's future looking bleak, convict labour was introduced and Fremantle Prison was created for the newly constituted penal settlement. Originally known as the Convict Establishment, the prison was built in the 1850s with the first convicts occupying the site from 1855, right up until 1991. During this time, hangings, floggings, escapes and riots were etched in history.

When the Old Perth Gaol closed, female inmates were moved to Fremantle Prison in1889. The laundry, bakehouse and cookhouse of the prison were sectioned off to accommodate the women. Extended twice over the years, this women's prison is what has now become Fremantle Prison YHA.

Just a few minutes' walk from the YHA is the vibrant port city of Fremantle with its untouched nineteenth century streetscape, colourful markets, bohemian cafes and buzzing nightlife. The Maritime Museum, historic tram ride, and Fishing Boat Harbour are all also nearby.

Fremantle Prison YHA, 6A The Terrace, Fremantle WA, Ph: (08) 9433 4305, Book online at yha.com.au.

YHA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organisation, and part of the world's largest budget accommodation network, Hostelling International, with 4,000 hostels in more than 90 countries.

For more information or images, please contact Silke Kerwick, Communications Manager, silke.kerwick@yha.com.au ph (02) 9261 1111.

Fremantle Prison YHA: KEY FACTS

Address: 6A The Terrace, Fremantle, WA 6160

Email: fremantle@yha.com.au

Phone: +61 8 9433 4305

Website: yha.com.au

Location: 1km from Fremantle Train Station

Capacity: 202 guests

Number of Rooms: 2 x double en-suite; 4 x 4-bed en-suite; 12 x family en-suite

2 x twin; 3 x cottages (sleeps 8); 18 x cells; 1 x 10-bed room;

2 x 8-bed rooms; 4 x 6-bed rooms; 5 x 4-bed rooms.

Prices: Double en-suite from $120; 4 bed en-suite from $140;

Family en-suite from $140; Twin from $68; Cottage from $280;

Twin cells from $68; Multi-share 10-bed rooms from $28 per bed;

8-bed rooms from $32 per bed; 6-bed rooms from $34 per bed;

4-bed rooms from $36 per bed.

Facilities: Spacious communal lounge areas, computers and Wi-Fi, self-catering kitchen, 24 hour reception, travel and tour desk, vending machines, luggage storage, laundry, parking, air conditioning, outdoor areas, theatre room, lockers, group facilities, conference room, cafe next door. Plans also to include a volleyball court, giant chess, giant jenga, projector screen for outdoor movie nights, table tennis and pool table.

Unique points: This prison-turned-youth hostel is part of the World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison complex and originally served as a laundry, bakehouse and cookhouse when the prison was completed in 1855 by convict labour. It was then converted into the Female Division, holding its first female inmates in 1889 until it closed in 1970. The hostel still contains the original fabric of the prison (including walls, floors and cells) and its history is interpreted and displayed throughout the hostel. Guests are able to sleep in original cells and prison warder's cottages, as well as dormitory-style accommodation and brand new purpose-built private rooms.

Surrounding area: The property is situated in the heart of historic Fremantle - a bustling port city half an hour from Perth, with a bohemian vibe and untouched nineteenth century streetscape. Fremantle is known for its maritime history, seafood, art and culture, and many festivals throughout the year.