Discovering Fremantle | What’s It Like to Stay in a UNESCO Prison? 🏚️

Today’s Unique Experience: Spending the night at Fremantle Prison—a UNESCO World Heritage Site! 😎 As many know, Australia’s history is deeply tied to its convict past. In "The Ship and the Anchor: A Short History of Australia," Geoffrey Blainey recounts how the first British convict ships arrived in Sydney in 1788. Surprisingly, many weren’t hardened criminals—some were exiled for petty theft (like stealing cloth or a horse)! Even former PM Scott Morrison’s ancestor was transported for nabbing 2.5kg of yarn! 😅 In Fremantle, I learned that 11 Australian convict sites, including this prison, were collectively inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in 2010. Between 1788-1868, over 165,000 convicts were sent from Britain to Australia, forced into labor like shepherding and road-building—effectively laying the foundations of modern Australia. Built in the 1850s and expanded over time, Fremantle Prison spans 6 hectares. After transportation ended, it remained a functioning prison until the 1990s—now partly converted into a YHA hostel. Staying here, you’ll see original cells, eerie corridors, and vibes straight out of Prison Break or Shawshank Redemption! 🚔⚡ 💡 Pro Tips: Room options: Dorm beds (shared bathrooms) or family rooms (private bathrooms + bunk beds). Parking: Hostel spots cost $2.6/hour—but scout nearby streets for free parking (some are free 5PM-9AM). #Australia #Perth #Fremantle #WesternAustralia #UNESCO #TravelDiaries #HistoricStays #BucketListExperience 🏛️✨