Coastal
South Fremantle, Australia
476 berths
40.00m max berth size
The Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour (FFBH) has its origins in the early 1830’s through the development of a single jetty in the area originally named in 1829, as South Bay where fishermen would discharge their catch at the market and anchor in the inner harbour. Fremantle was, to a certain extent, a small fishing industry facility that was the subject of a worldwide focus following Australia II winning the Americas Cup. What followed was a major redevelopment that generated enormous interest in the facility and changed its predominantly fishing industry focus.
A major upgrade to FFBH occurred in 1984/85 through a partnership between the State Government and private enterprise to provide world class facilities for Australia’s 1987/88 defence of the Americas Cup.
Over the years there have been periods of considerable construction to cater for as many as 640 licensed fishing vessels (seasonally) engaged in fishing for rock lobster and prawns for export, and wet fishing for the local domestic market. In more recent times FFBH whilst still recognised as a fishing boat harbour, caters in the main to recreational and charter vessels. FFBH is located 12kms from Western Australia’s capital city Perth offering world-class boating facilities and is situated adjacent to, and south of, the main Fremantle cargo and cruise shipping port.
FFBH provides a complete marina experience. While focusing on the provision of extensive marine facilities for recreational and commercial vessels and incorporating a marine service support industry, it has many high-quality attractions for tourists and visitors. Over the past 20 years FFBH has emerged as a major Fremantle and Western Australian visitor destination, demonstrating the very successful and productive integration of a working harbour and an active tourism industry. The harbour currently hosts an estimated 1.5 million visitors a year to not only enjoy the wide range of food and beverage offerings, but to do so in the special ambience of a working harbour.
The tourism appeal has also been enhanced by the regular hosting of international events such as The Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race (1997/8), 2011 ISAF World Sailing Championships, 2016 M32 World Match Racing Tour Event as well as annual local events such as the Blessing of the Fleet, Dragon Boat Racing, Celebrate WA Day, Little Italy by the Sea and Fremantle Seafood Festivals.