Project to refresh the North Fremantle Heritage Trail

The City of Fremantle is embarking on a project to update and modernise a 36-year-old heritage trail in North Fremantle.

The North Fremantle Heritage Trail Refresh Project will begin with a series of activities to increase awareness of the trail and gather community input on the historical information to be included on new trail markers.

Originally named the Rocky Bay Heritage Trail, it was established in 1988 as an Australian Bicentenary project, with a brochure celebrating the local history. The name was changed to the North Fremantle Heritage Trail in 2004, which is when the trail signage was last updated.

Trail landmarks include culturally significant Whadjuk Nyoongar sites along the Swan River foreshore, the former Soap Factory and limestone quarries, notable homes and their famous (or infamous) residents, iconic streets, Cypress Hill, old post offices, the Hillcrest Hospital and the Town Hall.

As well as preserving settlement history, the project team will engage with Whadjuk Elders to get a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of the area, with a view to integrate their stories and culture in the trail renewal.

The $40,000 project is a partnership between the City of Fremantle and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries via their Trail Planning Grants Program.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the project will remind people of North Fremantle's rich heritage.

"This is a good opportunity for Fremantle residents and visitors alike to explore this unique neighbourhood and learn about the peninsula's fascinating past.

"We are forming a Project Reference Group and we are also encouraging people with untold stories and insights to share them with us, so that these 'hidden gems' can be used to enhance the trail.

"As well as acknowledging the Indigenous and colonial history, we want to celebrate some of North Fremantle's more recent cultural heritage such as the iconic Dingo Flour Mill and Bon Scott's home," Mayor Fitzhardinge.

There are several ways the community can participate in the first stage of the project, which runs from Friday 12 January to Sunday 18 February.

The community can take a self-guided walk of the trail using an online map, available from the City's MySay Fremantle webpage: mysay.fremantle.wa.gov.au.

New temporary signage along the route will prompt participants to consider submitting information and local stories that may be missing or need updating, via the MySay Fremantle webpage.

For a bit of fun, there is a scavenger hunt, where people must locate and identify six signs for the chance to win vouchers for selected North Fremantle eateries.

Maps can be found on the MySay Fremantle webpage or collected from the Fremantle Visitor Centre or North Fremantle businesses.

A highlight will be a guided twilight walk led by the City of Fremantle's heritage coordinator Gena Binet on Wednesday 24 January, departing from the river end of Johannah Street at 5pm.  Registration is required through the MySay Fremantle webpage.

For convenience, people can explore the trail on their laptop, with an interactive map and the survey available on the MySay Fremantle webpage.

Mayor Fitzhardinge said it was good to see the trail getting some attention.

"The signage is now 20 years old, and needs a refresh. We're also going to improve the overall quality and interactivity by using dynamic technology, like QR codes. Adding the digital element will bring up the signs to modern standards and means that the content can evolve over time," Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

Feedback and applications to participate in the Project Reference Group are being collected from Friday 12 January to Sunday 18 February 2024, through mysay.fremantle.wa.gov.au