Fishing Boat Harbour has been added to the State Register of Heritage Places, formally recognising its place in Western Australia’s maritime and community history.
Operating as a working port since the 1920s, the harbour has played a central role in the State’s fishing industry and in shaping the character of Fremantle.
It is also closely tied to Western Australia’s migration story. After World War II, many families from southern Europe, particularly Italy, built their livelihoods here, leaving a lasting mark on the harbour and the wider community.
For those families, the harbour has been more than a place of work. It has been a place to settle, to build a business and to establish a life in a new country.
That connection is still visible today, including through longstanding traditions like the Blessing of the Fleet, which continues to bring together families, migrant communities and the broader public.
The site also reflects earlier layers of history, with links to the Swan River colony and the location of South Jetty, one of the first landing points constructed in 1829.
Over time, Fishing Boat Harbour has become a well-known part of Fremantle – Walyalup for Wadjuk people. It has long been a place of gathering, not just for its industry but for ceremony and as a place people return to, whether for a meal by the water or time with family and friends.
Its inclusion on the State Register recognises both the harbour itself and the stories and communities connected to it.
The listing comes as new heritage plaques are rolled out across Fremantle, including at Fishing Boat Harbour, and eventually across the State. The blue plaques include QR codes that connect visitors with more information about the place, making it easier to learn about the history of each site.
The updated design also acknowledges Aboriginal heritage alongside the many communities who have contributed to Western Australia’s story.
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