We Experienced The Haunting Fremantle Gaol Night Tour & Lived!

Fremantle Gaol at night is not for the faint hearted! We went on the Fremantle Prison night tour and looked into it’s scary history first hand. The Fremantle Gaol Night Tour is an unforgettable experience and a unique chance to step into the haunted halls of one of Australia’s most famous historical sites.

It’s a journey into the life and legend of Fremantle Gaol (or “Fremantle Prison” as it’s often known). You’ll feel history breathe through every cold, echoing cell. In this article, I’ll take you through what to expect from a night tour at Fremantle Gaol and why this prison holds a critical place in Australia’s past.

Fremantle Gaol Gates

A Little History Of Fremantle Gaol

Constructed in the 1850s by the very convicts it was meant to confine, Fremantle Gaol stands as a grim reminder of Australia’s convict era. The British sent convicts to Western Australia between 1850 and 1868 to serve as a labour force in the young colony, helping to build roads, structures, and settlements. Fremantle Gaol was one of these projects, built almost entirely by the hard labour of men who arrived shackled to chains, under strict orders to turn rock into walls.

With its grey limestone walls and high iron gates, Fremantle Gaol became operational in 1855, housing not only convicts but later dangerous criminals from across Western Australia. It stayed as a working prison until 1991 which makes it one of the longest-operating prisons in Australian history. The gaol housed thousands of prisoners over the years, and some of its stories are truly chilling.

The prison was notorious for its harsh conditions, and many prisoners who entered Fremantle Gaol never left. During its operation, 44 men and one woman were hanged within its walls, and some say the souls of these lost people still haunt the prison today. The Fremantle Gaol has since become a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserved for its historical importance and its unique architecture.

Spooky Night Tour At Fremantle Jail

Getting Ready For The Fremantle Gaol Night Tour

We did the tour with our daughter Lauren and her husband Dan. They’d both done the tour before so they warmed us up with some stories of what it was going to be like. Amanda and I have been on at least a dozen night time ghost tours before so we weren’t too scared. Well, Amanda probably was she’s a bit of a wuss on the night tours!

As we gathered outside the entrance to Fremantle Gaol at dusk, there was an eerie quiet in the air. We were there for one of the gaol’s famous night tours and the energy was both exciting and unnerving. The group was a mix of tourists and locals. Some were keen to learn about the history. Some others I reckon were just hoping for a good scare. The night tour isn’t your typical sightseeing tour. It’s a chance to experience history in a very visceral way.

Our guide led us through the rules making sure we understood that this was a “look, don’t touch” kind of tour. With the sun already well set the gaol’s looming walls and the dim lights made everything look a little more sinister. We were in for a proper adventure.

Fremantle Prison Night Tour Scary Times

Stepping Inside Fremantle Gaol: The Chilling Atmosphere

From the moment we stepped inside the atmosphere felt heavy. There’s something truly eerie about walking into a place where so much hardship and punishment took place. The flickering lights and narrow corridors enhanced the sense of claustrophobia that prisoners must have felt day after day. We entered through the main gates and walked into the main cell blocks. Our guide told us stories of former inmates from petty thieves to notorious criminals.

The guide explained that life in the gaol was nothing short of brutal. Particularly in the early days when convicts were subjected to harsh punishments for the smallest of things. They endured isolation cells, strict discipline and were put to work in backbreaking labour. These stories of hardship are a big part of what makes Fremantle Gaol such an intense experience – knowing that you’re walking through the very spaces where people lived out their final days.

Inside Fremantle Prison Australia

Fremantle Gaol Night Tour: Ghosts, Legends And Unsolved Mysteries

One of the highlights of the Fremantle Gaol Night Tour is the ghost stories. From sightings of ghostly figures in cells to disembodied whispers in the hallways this place has a reputation for being haunted. Some visitors report seeing the ghost of Moondyne Joe one of Western Australia’s most famous bushrangers. He managed to escape the gaol multiple times. Others claim to hear the footsteps of guards and prisoners long after the last inmate left.

Our guide told us about one of the gaol’s most notorious hangings – that of serial killer Eric Edgar Cooke who was executed in 1964. Cooke’s crimes were horrific and his spirit is said to linger. Some say they can still hear his whispers on quiet nights. Whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or not. It’s hard to ignore the feeling that the walls of Fremantle Gaol hold onto the stories and emotions of those who lived and died within.

Exploring the Cells And Gallows At Fremantle Prison

The cells in Fremantle Gaol are as narrow and sparse as you might expect. Each one has thick, cold stone walls and tiny windows letting in just enough light to remind the prisoners of the freedom they’d lost. Walking through these rooms is a humbling experience. You can almost feel the isolation that prisoners endured.

And then there’s the gallows room. The Fremantle Gaol is one of the few places in Australia where you can see a once working gallows. It’s a dark and foreboding place. As we entered, the guide explained the history of capital punishment in the prison. From 1888 to 1964 a total of 45 people were executed here. Standing near the gallows was an experience that sent chills down my spine; you can’t help but feel the weight of history in that room.

Fremantle Prison Gallows

The History That Haunts Fremantle Gaol

The Fremantle Gaol isn’t just about ghost stories – it’s also a deeply significant site for Australian history. Many of the early convicts sent to Western Australia were Irish, Scottish, and English men who had been sentenced for relatively minor crimes, like theft and debt. But within these walls, they were treated with the same severity as the worst criminals.

The Fremantle Gaol also has a strong connection to Aboriginal history. During the Stolen Generations. Aboriginal prisoners were held at Fremantle Gaol often for petty offences. This adds a sombre layer to the gaol’s history as it becomes clear how deeply the prison impacted different communities across Western Australia.

A Night Tour Unlike Any Other

A night tour of Fremantle Gaol isn’t your everyday tourist activity. It’s a chance opportunity to step into Australia’s convict past and feel the eerie presence of history around you. The atmosphere, the stories, and the undeniable sense of something lurking around the corner all make this experience unforgettable. If you’re into history, ghost stories, or just want a good Aussie scare, this tour has it all.

Leaving Fremantle Gaol after dark I felt like I had seen a different side of Western Australia’s past. A raw, gritty side that’s often left out of the history books. Whether you’re visiting Perth, Fremantle or simply a local looking for a unique night out. The Fremantle Gaol Night Tour offers a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t soon forget. So, if you reckon you’re up for it book yourself a tour and see just how brave you really are!