The port city has taken out the top honour in the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards presented at Parliament House in Canberra.
Fremantle has won gold in the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards presented at Parliament House in Canberra.
Federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell announced today the port city had won the Top Tourism Town category.
Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge received the award for the city.
"I think what they've recognised about Fremantle in giving us this award is that it is a fairly exceptional destination with the vibrant maritime heritage, the arts and music scene, the world class food and wine and rich culture and history," she told Business News.
"Tourism is a massive focus for Fremantle, and really it's about sharing what locals love about Fremantle with a broader audience.
"Whether that's our incredible ocean and beaches and something like SailGP, obviously, will very much highlight that, whether it's our history through things like the World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison, or whether it's just our thriving creative and hospitality culture, these are all things that locals love, but we want to share them with the world."
Ms Fitzhardinge said the city mainly attracts domestic tourists, reaching almost one million day trippers and half a million overnight visitors per year.
"This award is a real platform for us to showcase Fremantle to an interstate and international market, and really look at how we can connect the world with everything that Fremantle has to offer," she added.
Fremantle was not the only Western Australian award winner with Perth’s Hidden deTours by Monique Boucher winning silver in the Top Tour Guide category.
Exmouth was a finalist in the Small Tourism Town category, while Kalbarri made the list of finalists in the Tiny Tourism Town category.
Earlier in the year, Fremantle took out the 2025 7NEWS Top Tourism Town award.
The town has been flagged for new hotels including Fiveight’s $35 million six-story building plan and Patrick Prendiville’s $16.5 million four-storey pod proposal.
Adrian Fini-led H-U’s $110 million plan to redevelop Fremantle’s Elders Wool Stores into a 213-apartment, retail and hospitality project has received the green light from planning authorities.
In 2026, the Qantas Australian Tourism awards will be held in Fremantle, with support from Tourism WA, Business Events Perth, the City of Fremantle and the Rottnest Island Authority.
The city is a WA arts and culture hub. Photo: Jessica Wyld
The news of the town’s award arrived on the same day as the Australian Cruise Association’s annual conference kicking off in Fremantle.
“While in WA, delegates will be able to explore new opportunities for the sector, while also experiencing the very best of our state’s cruise and broader tourism offerings,” Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said.
“Cruise tourism plays a major role in the Cook government’s economic diversification strategy to drive out-of-state visitation and generate valuable tourism dollars for local business and industry.”
Ports Minister Stephen Dawson noted Fremantle’s cruise capacity.
“Fremantle Port is home to one of Australia’s largest cruise terminals and boasts the capacity to berth two cruise liners simultaneously, making it a key gateway for maritime tourism,” he said.
“With 26 cruise vessels expected to arrive in Fremantle this financial year, we can continue to see the economic benefits flow through from this industry.
“The Cook government is making significant investments to support the cruise industry in regional WA, with funding allocated to the Port of Broome for a business case to develop a cruise terminal and also for planning of upgrades to the Port of Albany.”
