All aboard the Hougoumont Hotel
Never stayed in a hotel named after a convict ship, that also uses sea containers for it’s rooms? Me either! Well, I have now.
The Hougoumont, is of historical importance to Fremantle and Australia, as it was the last ship to transport convicts to Australia, arriving in Fremantle on the 10th of January 1868.
Fremantle is located around 20kms south of Perth, the capital of Western Australia, and remains an operating port of commercial significance today.
The Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle, Western Australia. Fujifilm X100V, Wide conversion lens, ISO 320, 1/350s, f/8
The Hougoumont hotel in Fremantle, taking it’s name from the historic ship, takes the visitor on somewhat of a historical journey, as well as tipping its hat to the current maritime operations of Fremantle port - some of the hotel’s rooms are constructed utlising shipping containers!
The boutique hotel does not refer to rooms, but rather cabins, as if you are boarding a vessel. There was even a personal “welcome aboard” message inscribed on my bathroom mirror upon arrival! It’s the full maritime experience. Fortunately, the experience is far more luxurious than what the convicts aboard the original Hougoumont no doubt would have seen.
The Hotel has done a great job linking history to the accomodation experience. The walls of the lobby/restaurant area are emblazoned with lists of the names of the convict passengers aboard the Hougoumont for its final voyage, along with their crime, and place of origin. It makes fascinating reading - imagine being sent to a new colony many weeks away at sea, for the crime of failing to inform of a brewing mutinous meeting!
Click on any image below to open gallery view.
The Hotel is centrally located and makes an excellent base to explore Fremantle on foot. Fremantle’s revered “capuccino strip” on South Terrace is literally right around the corner.
If bicycle is more your style, enquire about renting them from the hotel.
If feeling thirsty after all your exploring, the hotel even has their own courtyard brewery on premsies. I can recommend trying their craft beer offerings at Calamity’s Rod. There are plenty of culinary options nearby also.
Bread in Common, located on Pakenham Street in a beautifully renovated former pharmaceutical warehouse that dates back to 1898, blends Fremantle’s history with contemporary dining, and has become reknown for it's house made bread. Fujifilm X100V, Wide conversion lens, ISO 320, 1/60s, f/8.
Exploring on foot is a delight for fans of older architecture as it seems that at every corner you are faced with beautiful historic buildings, with many heritage listed. Many point to the shipping and port history of Fremantle. A good number of buildings in this area of historic Fremantle are now owned by Notre Dame University and the buildings part of their campus operations.
Click on an image below to open gallery view.
If museums are more your style, you are not short of nearby options with the WA Shipwreck Museum and WA Maritime Museum both within easy walking distance.
Old slipway cranes, with Collins class submarine HMAS Ovens at their feet, reflected in windows of the WA Maritime Museum. Fujifilm X100V, Wide conversion lens, ISO 160, 1/60s, f/5.6
So if you are ever in Perth, or even if you are a local, I can thoroughly recommend making a trip down to Fremantle, or “Freo”as the locals call it, and ‘set sail’ with the Hougoumont Hotel.