Round House and Whalers Tunnel

The Roundhouse:
The Round House stands at the Western end of High Street on Arthur Head, a high promontory overlooking Bathers Beach and the Indian Ocean. The twelve-sided building was purpose-built as a gaol in 1831 to house locals who broke the law.

The Whalers Tunnel:
The tunnel below the Round House was built by the Fremantle Whaling Company in 1837 to allow the company easy access between Fremantle town and Bathers Beach.

The Signal Station:
From 1900 a dropping time ball and sound signal were used each day at 1pm to signal the correct time to navigators on ships entering Fremantle Harbour. This procedure was discontinued in 1937. Since 1998 the Fremantle Volunteer Heritage Guides have re-enacted the ceremony every day. A member of the public may be invited to be the Honorary Gunnery Officer to fire the sound signal (a cannon on loan from the Fremantle Football Club, the "Dockers").

The Fremantle Volunteer Heritage Guides:
A group of volunteer guides is on duty at the site every day from 10:30am to 3:30pm. Apart from interpreting the history of the site, various flags are flown on the signal station and the National Flag of visiting ships is hoisted to the masthead as a courtesy to the vessels as they enter the Port of Fremantle.

Cost:
Entry is by gold coin donation.

Opening Times:
10:30am - 3.30pm Closed Good Friday & Christmas Day.