Totally Lit - Catalpa: Escape to Freedom

Catalpa: Escape to Freedom recounts Australia’s most daring prison escape – from friendships, alliances and secret letters to the undercover spies and treachery that dogged the bold Fenians in their race to board the Catalpa.

Thurs 8 + Fri 9 Oct 2026

Catalpa: Escape to Freedom recounts Australia’s most daring prison escape – from friendships, alliances and secret letters to the undercover spies and treachery that dogged the bold Fenians in their race to board the Catalpa.

In these free sessions for children, authors Mike and Joy Lefroy bring history to life as they share the story against the backdrop of the very prison the Fenians escaped from!

Sessions will take place 12.30pm - 2.00pm on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 October and will include time for you to view the exhibition in the Prison Gallery.

WHEN: Thursday 8 and Friday 9 October 2026

TIME: 12.30pm - 2.00pm

TICKETS: FREE - Capacity is limited and bookings are essential - Humanitix | Catalpa Escape to Freedom

LOCATION: Prison Gallery, Fremantle Prison (Enter via Main Gatehouse)

PLEASE NOTE:

  • This is a free event but capacity is limited and bookings are essential.
  • Enhance your visit with Fremantle Prison’s renowned Convict Prison Tour, operating hourly between 10.00am and 5.00pm. For more information about this and other tour experiences, please visit the Fremantle Prison website.
  • In addition, ticket holders can take advantage of a special Adults at Concession Prices offer on any Fremantle Prison Day Tour. Details of this promotion will be provided by the Totally Lit team.

 Presented by Totally Lit in association with Fremantle Prison.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:

  • Fremantle Prison is a World Heritage site, and must be respected at all times
  • Visitors to Fremantle Prison should note that the surfaces you walk on are not always even, please watch your step
  • No shoes, no shirt, no entry
  • Fremantle Prison is strictly a non-smoking site
  • Fremantle Prison accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from a visit or whilst on the premises
  • It is a condition of entry that visitors observe all signs and follow instructions by Fremantle Prison staff
  • Fremantle Prison retains the right to deny access and/or remove visitors who are being a public nuisance, acting recklessly, or failing to observe directions from Fremantle Prison staff or signage
  • Strictly no BYO food or alcohol. Food and drinks will be available to purchase at the venue.