Fremantle Railway Bridge

The Fremantle Railway Bridge is a steel and concrete structure that crosses the Swan River, linking the railway line on both sides of the waterway. The bridge allows trains to pass while ships can navigate the river below.

The site saw its first railway bridge built in 1880, followed by a second in 1897. The current bridge was constructed in the 1950s and replaced those earlier structures with a stronger, more modern design.

The bridge shapes how locals think about transport and industrial heritage in the city. It remains an ordinary part of daily commutes for residents, connecting neighborhoods across the river in a way that feels unremarkable until you notice the scale and engineering involved.

Visit during the day when you can see the structure clearly and watch trains passing through. You can photograph from nearby areas and walkways, but stay aware of active rail traffic and safety barriers along the waterfront.

This version was positioned further upstream than its predecessors, which allowed the harbor to accommodate larger vessels below. This upstream placement was a deliberate choice that balanced the needs of the port with the requirement to maintain rail connections.