Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle

Route description

The road's northern terminus, and of State Route 12, are at a traffic light-controlled Y Junction with Stirling Highway in . The next major intersection, 350 m south, is with Tydeman Road, which leads to Fremantle Port to the west, and to the residential area of North Fremantle to the east. After another 400 m, the road reaches the Fremantle Traffic Bridge which crosses the Swan River. On the south side of the river, the road meets Canning Highway, and turns south-west towards the centre of Fremantle. After travelling 500 m south-west, State Route 12 leaves Queen Victoria Street, heading down James Street towards . The remaining 400 m of Queen Victoria Street does not have a route allocation, and the road ends at its intersection with Parry Street. Adelaide Street continues south-west from that intersection, to High Street.

Crossing the Swan River

In the 1830s ferries operated on the Swan River, including from North Fremantle and from Preston Point, further up the river. The North Fremantle ferry only transported people and luggage, whilst the Preston Point ferry also transported livestock.

There also existed a capstan, but only the base remains, which is known as the Ferry Capstan Base. There is no clear evidence of the construction date or usage, however there are accounts of it pulling a dredger and barges up the river, via a rope connected to a winch in the capstan. The accounts vary as to how it was powered, either by convicts or animals pushing an iron bar to rotate the capstan, which was centred on a vertical axle.

There have been four different bridges at this location since the 1860s, the first of which was a timber bridge was constructed between 1863 and 1867, using convict labour. The second bridge was constructed between 1896 and 1898 downstream of the existing bridge. Whilst wider and stronger, it was only intended to be a temporary structure while the old bridge was removed and replaced. However, no construction or demolition works occurred until 10 years later, with the old bridge left for pedestrians. The third bridge was a renovation of the original bridge, which had its deck replaced, new support piles added, and existing piles modified. The previous bridge was demolished after this bridge, which also catered for trams, was opened in 1909. The current structure, which opened on 15 December 1939, was also only intended to be used for a few years, but has remained in service since then, with major strengthening and repair works carried out in 1978 and 1982. On 1 February 2026 this current structure will close.

Street features

The street was the main street of the former Town of North Fremantle (1895–1961). The North Fremantle war memorial and the former North Fremantle Town Hall are located on the street.

Two bars are also located on the north side of the river along Queen Victoria Street: Mojo's Bar and the Swan Hotel, which has been on the street for over 100 years.

In 2011, Queen Victoria Street underwent road works to improve traffic accommodation and the amenity of the area.

Major intersections

References

Sources

General references

References

1. Ewers, John K.. (1971). "The Western Gateway: A History of Fremantle". University of Western Australia Press for the Fremantle City Council.
2. (17 October 1923). "FREMANTLE'S MAIN HIGHWAY.". [[The West Australian]].
3. (27 June 1835). "PROCLAMATION.". [[The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal]].
4. (3 August 1833). "FERRY CHARGES.". [[The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal]].
5. "Fremantle Railway Bridge to Point Walter Reserve and Childley Point". Swan River Trust.
6. (30 March 2007). "Register of Heritage Places – Assessment Documentation". Heritage Council of Western Australia.
7. (14 April 1927). "Untitled". [[Western Mail (Western Australia).
8. (2009). "Swan & Canning Rivers Bridges". Engineers Australia Western Australia Division.
9. (8 September 1935). "Fremantle Traffic Bridge Should Go.". [[The Sunday Times (Western Australia).
10. (31 August 1933). "OLD TRAFFIC BRIDGE.". [[The West Australian]].
11. "North Fremantle soldiers memorial".
12. "Governor at North Fremantle Town Hall".
13. (12 January 1901). "Fremantle Sailing Club.". [[Western Mail (Western Australia).
14. (2011). "Queen Victoria Street roadworks". City of Fremantle.