Please note that the Fremantle Passenger Terminal is not open to the public when the Sun Princess visits due to the large numbers of people disembarking and embarking. During the ship's visits, the terminal carpark is only available for picking up and dropping off passengers. The best places to see ships entering or leaving the harbour are on the western end of Victoria Quay (at the Ferry Terminal, between A and B Sheds, or near the Maritime Museum) or on South or North moles. See the Inner Harbour map.
History
Following the Second World War, Fremantle remained a primary ‘gateway’ for immigrants and there was subsequently a growing pressure for a passenger terminal building to accommodate the services and activities associated with this major port function. More than 150,000 passengers passed through the Port of Fremantle annually in the years preceding the Passenger Terminal’s construction in 1960-1962, and for many of them the port was their first sight of Australia.
The first stage of the new Passenger Terminal was opened in December 1960 by Premier David Brand, while the second stage was completed in May 1962. The whole two-floor building is of steel-frame construction with concrete panels. The upper floor is timber parquetry. Western Australian hardwood timbers were used extensively in the interior and are complemented by four murals by artist Howard Taylor, featuring trees, animals and Western Australian birds and flowers.
The numbers of migrant ships and regular cruise line calls had ceased by the 1980s with the advent of the 747 jet aircraft, which made flying affordable and cruise shipping unviable. As a result, other uses for the eastern upper area were found; it was converted into a function centre prior to Australia’s defence of the America’s Cup in 1987. More recently, Fremantle Ports has introduced car processing to the ground-floor sheds. Since the 1980s, cruise ship calls have been predominately international vessels on world voyages. However, a resurgence in demand for cruising in recent years, has resulted in Fremantle being used as a seasonal turn-around port for the Funchal, Athena and Sun Princess.
The Fremantle Passenger Terminal is a heritage-listed building, which means that any work done to maintain or develop the building should not diminish, destroy or conceal any of its significant elements. We aim to provide a comfortable and efficient service to our customers within this culturally significant building.
Please note: Fremantle Ports no longer takes bookings for functions and events, such as trade fairs, for the Fremantle Passenger Terminal as the terminal's parking area is often required to service the needs of the motor vehicle import trade.
Fremantle Passenger Terminal
