Saturday in the South – Open House Perth November 10

Early mornings on the weekend you’ll find Bread in Common opening their doors for breakfast – it still amazes us how many people in people in Perth have not experienced this culinary and architectural marvel, so make this a priority. I always head straight to the back of the venue to the long table where I can indulge in all the newspapers – they always have a bountiful and full selection (which is a marker to a great breakfast place in my book). Once you’ve found your perfect spot, Chef Scott Brannigan always has a ‘rock star’ seasonal menu on offer and, you can appreciate the architectural talents of spaceagency from any seat in the house.
Bread in Common – 43 Pakenham Street

So, after you have fully indulged at Bread in Common, head over our way. We are very fortunate to be found in the heart of Fremantle’s historic West End, housed in the iconic Pearse’s Building. Our space will be transformed for Open House Perth with a display of blooms by Floral Army adorning our much-loved mantelpieces. This is a rare opportunity to discover one of the upper levels of Fremantle’s historic West End precinct. That’s enough about us…
Detail Communications – 78 High Street Fremantle
Open House: 10am – 2pm

It’s worth wandering down to the end of High Street to the Round House, the oldest public building in Western Australia. Opened in January 1831, just 18 months after settlement, it was built to hold any person convicted of a crime – which is pretty frightening when you think of it…

Stroll up the stairs from High Street and once at the top turn and enjoy the remains of the Arcs d’Éllipses. The work is by Paris-based Swiss artist Felice Varini, who has produced geometric optical illusions around the world. Sadly, it is proving tricky to remove from the buildings, but the positive is you can still enjoy it – kind of. The Round House looks over the Indian Ocean and offers a great view over Bather’s Beach and part of the Fishing Boat Harbour. If it’s a hot day pop down to the beach, kick off your shoes and get your toes wet for a little relief.
The Round House
Open House – 10:30am-3:30pm

When strolling back from the Round House, head down High Street and visit a few of our favourite spots. Pick up a good read at the New Edition Bookshop and visit Japingka Aboriginal Art, who has quite possibly Western Australia’s finest indigenous collection availible for sale. If you happen to need a gift for someone ‘impossible to buy for’ pop into Compendium Design Store. They can be relied on to have the perfect thing, along with something you don’t know how you ever lived without (I recommend checking out the Orbitkey while you’re there, someone you know will need one). Keep heading down High Street and drop into Kartique for a modern interiors selection, afterwhich you will bump into Remedy and then stroll into The Record Finder – a labyrinth of second-hand records and players, you will hear the blues playing as you approach.

Now would be the ideal time to stroll over the road to The National Hotel to check out their newly opened rooftop bar. Enjoy a cold beer and drink in the 360-degree view across our town– including the West End, down to the harbour and across to the Town Hall – she certainly is a pretty city.
The National Hotel – 98 High Street
Open House – 12pm – 4pm

By now, you’re sure to be feeling a bit peckish again. So, we recommend heading to Bannister Street to Stable Hands for a late lunch. Housed in one of Fremantle’s oldest buildings, designers State of Kin have transformed the building into a light-filled and inviting space, with textured walls, high ceilings, and touches of brass. It’s Mediterranean, but not as you know it. The kitchen has used a balance of new world and classic European cooking techniques, taking peasant-style food and refining it.
Stable Hands – 8 Bannister Street Fremantle

So, after a late lunch, there is only one thing left to do – drink cocktails. For this, we highly recommend heading to Strange Company on Nairn Street. It’s no secret that this is our regular ‘after work, Saturday lunchtime, Sunday for the bands’ haunt (we spend a lot of time here). The cocktails are shaken to perfection, and their ‘wine game’ is strong. You can linger into the evening as the kitchen stays open until midnight – we’ve tested it, and it’s true.
Strange Company – 5 Nairn Street Fremantle

If you feel like you have only scratched the surface – you’re right. You could easily fill a week with great things to do in Fremantle. So, if you’re tempted to discover more check-in to the Hougoumont Hotel – the very cool boutique hotel designed by architect Matthew Crawford is a combination of heritage architecture and sea containers (can you get much more Fremantle?).
Hougoumont Hotel -15 Bannister Street

If you do decide to stay – get in touch, we still have a long list of fabulous Fremantle destinations yet to share.

You’ll love Freo – we do.

Visit OPEN HOUSE PERTH to download the program.
View the Facebook event.