Fremantle Round House
The Round House had eight cells and a gaolers residence which all opened up into a central courtyard. Bay whaling was carried out from Bathers Beach below the Round House. As part of the whaling operations a tunnel was constructed under the Round House to provide whalers with access to the town from the jetty and Bathers Beach.
When the first convicts arrived in 1850 the Round House was inadequate to house them so the convicts built a new goal which was completed in the 1850's and continued to be used as Fremantle Prison through until 1991. The Round House was not used as a prison when, in 1886, convict establishment became the responsibility of the colonial government. Instead, the Round House was used as a police lock-up through until 1900. It then became the living quarters for the chief constable, his wife, and their ten children.
The building is today a museum. It is operated by the Fremantle Volunteer Heritage Guides and is open from daily 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. Entry is free for a gold coin donation.
The Whalers Tunnel was constructed by Fremantle Whaling Company under the Round House to move goods between the original port at Bathers Beach and the town. It was Western Australia's first tunnel and the only one for 64 years until the Jane Brook deviation railway tunnel was built. The tunnel is of exceptional significance as the only structure remaining of the Whaling Station complex.
There is a secret side tunnel leading up to Gunners Cottage which was built when the Whalers Tunnel was used an air raid shelter in World War II. From 1905 -1919 electricity cables ran through the tunnel connecting the power station on the western side with the tram barn on its eastern side.
