Six years ago we were so lucky to experience a trip of a lifetime to Australia. We travelled by ship from Sydney around the south coast and up to Fremantle, then across to India and on to Dubai. What a trip!
We loved Australia and enjoyed our visit to Fremantle. I took this shot on the iPhone X, but more on the technical stuff at the end of the post. In the meantime, a little about this magnificent building...
Fremantle Town Hall stands as one of the grandest landmarks in the historic port city, a striking symbol of Fremantle’s rich past. Built in 1887, the hall is not just an architectural marvel but also a testament to the civic pride and optimism of a growing community during the late 19th century.
The design, a mix of Victorian Free Classical and Second Empire styles, features grand arches, ornate facades, and a clock tower that still chimes its time to this day. Back in its prime, the hall was the centerpiece of a town transforming from a sleepy convict settlement into a thriving trade hub, fueled by the gold rush that brought an influx of people and wealth into the area.
As the years passed, the Town Hall became more than just a government building. It turned into a gathering place for the community. Balls, theatre performances, and public meetings filled its grand hall. The walls echoed with the debates of town elders and the celebrations of Fremantle’s residents.
However, beneath the polished floors and tall ceilings, there were whispers of strange occurrences within the building. Some said the spirit of an old caretaker, a man who had devoted his life to the hall, still roamed its corridors after his death. Others spoke of flickering lights in the middle of the night or the sound of footsteps in the empty chambers when no one was around.
One particularly famous story comes from the time of the Second World War. With the port being a strategic location, Fremantle was on high alert. Locals claimed that on a quiet night in 1942, as the city braced itself for potential attacks, a mysterious glow was seen coming from the Town Hall’s clock tower. At first, people thought it was an alert signal, but when officials investigated, they found nothing—no sign of any light, nor any source for it. This incident only fueled the belief that something otherworldly watched over the old building.
Despite the ghostly tales, Fremantle Town Hall remains a beloved part of the city. Today, its doors are still open to the public, serving as a venue for events, festivals, and civic activities. It’s a living monument, not only to the history of Fremantle but to the spirit of community and resilience that defines the town.
Whether you come to admire its architectural beauty or listen to the ghost stories, Fremantle Town Hall is a place where the past and present blend seamlessly, a timeless piece of the town’s vibrant cultural fabric.
Take another look at the photograph and you will see something unusual. Why is the clock tower painted yellow? As we wandered around the town we noticed more random daubs of yellow paint on the buildings and sometimes on the pavement. We eventually discovered that it was the work of a Swiss artist Felice Varini who creates 3D optical illusions in public places around the world!
This image was taken six years ago in jpeg format and it's interesting to note from the metadata shown above that the ISO is shown as low as 20. The computer inside the device used the HDR mode resulting in the emphasised clouds and dramatic look of the image. This is achieved by the camera taken several images in quick succession and combining them together as a single image. Very clever stuff indeed.
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