Next stop in our journey is Woodman Point , just south of Fremantle . During the war years this area was used as an ammo depot and jetty , used for loading ammunition onto boats . The jetty is primarily used for fishing off now though . It has a beautiful beach either side , clear water , and is very popular over the weekend . Behind the sand dunes is a park area with Bbq's , tables , kiosk , playground and high grassed areas . Another feature we have enjoyed are the bike / walking tracks that head north to Fremantle and onwards , and also south toward Rockingham . We have ridden our bikes most days here and loved it . Here's a panoramic of the jetty & beach , views are out toward Rottnest Island .
This view is back toward the cement plant , Cockburn Power Boat Club & boat ramps at the end of the beach , further around is a boat building factory - they do the huge passenger / vehicle catamarans and also navy / coast guard boats as well .
This is the pointy part of Woodman Point , another popular fishing spot and due to the prevailing winds , a very popular kite surfing site .
This is the view of one side of the main prison building - 4 floors of prison cells , and to the far left the new wing used for women . The yard area was being used for some concerts , so there were lot's of tents , chairs etc .
The tour headed out after showing us the reception area where the new prisoners arrived , describing the process in detail . Next was the kitchen area - this was the prime area for the prisoners to work in - they could snack as they cooked and always got a hot meal , not like the others in the furthest sections away from the kitchen . Prisoners had their meals in their cells - another way to avoid problems with prisoners being together in groups . The feeling of deprivation was gradually overtaking us as we were shown some of the cells on the ground floor , then into some exercise yards . This photo is in one exercise yard - interesting to note that the covered area in the right of photo wasn't there for a long time - can you imagine being in this yard in 45 degree heat with no shelter ! The wall on the other side was usually in a bit of shade and there were many fights about who would get the benefit of the shade . Rolls of razor wire line the tops of the walls .
Razor wire is as it's described, razor sharp . If you were to try and go over it , it is designed to collapse under weight , so you fall into it and get cut up even more , and trapped in it .
Back inside the first floor is netted off from the ground floor to stop prisoners from above jumping to their death , also to protect people below from things being thrown down from above - prison officers were instructed to always walk underneath the walkways above to avoid getting covered in the contents of waste buckets etc .
There are many cells that have been set up to show what they were like in different times . The Older cells were 7 feet by 4 feet , and had a hammock , a chair & table and a bucket . In later years the cells were increased in size to double that !! In it's last years of use , the prisoners were allowed to decorate their cells with paintings on the walls - directly on the walls . Here's one of them
The bars , locks , gates & razor wire does have an impact on you - definitely don't want to lose my freedom !!
We were shown the area where the executions took place , then the maximum security sections where the life sentences were , before coming into the new wing for a brief look . Back out into the parade ground and around to the womens cells where they had some of their misdemeanours listed - a colourful history for a few women were inmates here . After an hour & a quarter we were back to the entry gate and we got to get away from the tour guide - he had his script and knew it well , but that's where it ended - it was a job , nothing more , and he didn't put any personality into it at all . Back outside and the prison Governor's residence was beside the gate , surrounded by beautiful gardens .
