Explorers' Monument

#50 among destinations in Australia

Memorial

Gallery (6)

Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

The Explorers' Monument in Fremantle, Western Australia, stands as a testament to the pioneering spirits who ventured into the uncharted territories of the continent. Crafted by the eminent sculptor Pietro Porcelli, this monument pays homage to the intrepid explorers who played a crucial role in mapping the vast expanses of Australia.

Erected in the early 20th century, the monument is not without its controversies, as it commemorates the lives of three explorers - Frederick Panter, James Harding, and William Goldwyer - who were killed by Aboriginal Australians in 1864. The original inscription on the monument reflected the colonial attitudes of the time, leading to debates about its appropriateness in a modern context.

Despite its contentious history, the Explorers' Monument remains an integral part of Australia's cultural landscape. The statue itself is a work of art, showcasing Porcelli's skill in capturing the essence of exploration and the sacrifices made by those who sought to expand the boundaries of known Australia. It serves as a historical marker, reminding visitors of the complex narratives that have shaped the nation's past.

Coordinates: 32°3'27"S, 115°44'39"E

Location

Western AustraliaAustralia

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Day trips

Explorers' Monument – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Challenger Harbour, Fremantle Customs House, Commissariat Buildings, Perth/Fremantle.

~1200 ftSW
Sailing, Marina
Challenger Harbour, Perth
6 min walk • Challenger Harbour is a marina in Fremantle, Western Australia adjacent to the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. The harbour breakwater covers the historical site of the Fremantle Long Jetty.
~1200 ftNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Cliff
Fremantle Customs House, Perth
6 min walk • The Old Customs House is a building in Fremantle, Western Australia that was built in 1908 to house the main branch of the Customs Department of Western Australia.
~390 ftW
Museum
Commissariat Buildings, Perth
2 min walk • The Commissariat Buildings are a group of two buildings found at 6 Marine Terrace in the West End of Fremantle, Western Australia, which, with construction having begun in 1852, are one of the first sites built using convict labour in the Swan River colony.
~800 ftNE
Area
Perth/Fremantle, Perth
4 min walk • Fremantle is a port city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River in the metropolitan area of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth. The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for Fremantle is Freo.
~540 ftNW
Universities and schools
University of Notre Dame Australia
3 min walk • The University of Notre Dame Australia is a national Roman Catholic private university with campuses in Fremantle and Broome in Western Australia and Sydney in New South Wales.
~730 ftS
Restaurant, Nightlife, Outdoor seating
Little Creatures, Perth
4 min walk • Little Creatures is a brewery based in Fremantle, Western Australia, operating as a subsidiary of the Japanese firm Kirin Company. It is owned by Little World Beverages, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lion Nathan which is itself a wholly owned subsidiary of Kirin.
~320 ftSE
Park, Playground, Music venue
Esplanade Park, Perth
2 min walk • Esplanade Park is a public reserve in Fremantle, Western Australia. Situated on Marine Terrace and opposite the Esplanade Hotel, the reserve features about 100 mature Norfolk Island pines and the Explorers' Monument.
~500 ftNE
Museum, Art museum, Cafe
Moore & Moore Cafe, Perth
3 min walk • WD Moore & Co Warehouse complex is on Henry Street, Fremantle. It was unified in 1899 behind an ornamental stucco facade. A store was established on the site by Samuel Moore in the 1840s. William Dalgety Moore later established a general merchant business there in 1862.
~950 ftNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Cliff
Union Bank, Perth
5 min walk • The site of 4 High Street was purchased by the Union Bank of Australia in 1881 and for several years the bank operated from the existing building, which had been the residence of Captain Daniel Scott.
~1060 ftNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Cliff
Wilhelmsen House, Perth
6 min walk • Wilhemsen House, also known as the Elders Building, Elder Building, Barwil House and the Dalgety & Co. Building, is a heritage building located at 11 Cliff Street on the corner of Phillimore Street in the port city of Fremantle, Western Australia.
~610 ftNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Cliff
McDonald Smith Building, Perth
3 min walk • The McDonald Smith Building is a heritage building in the port city of Fremantle, Western Australia. The building dates from the gold rush boom period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and is of historic significance.