Accomodation and Living in Fremantle

Halls of Residence for Study Abroad Partners

Please note that the residences are subject to availability.

The residences are located on campus as follows:

1. Port Lodge, 28 Marine Terrace, Fremantle
2. P & O Hotel Residence, 25 High Street, Fremantle
3. Cleopatra Hotel, 24 High Street, Fremantle.

Before leaving home you will be advised which residence you will live in either by your home Director of Study Abroad (large groups) or by the University of Notre Dame Australia Study Abroad Office (smaller groups). On your arrival, accommodation will have been organised for you in one of the Halls of Residence with other Study Abroad students.

A Residential Supervisor (RS) will be assigned to your Hall of Residence and they will reside with the group. The RS will oversee students and assist involvement in academic, social, liturgical and cultural activities. They will be concerned for your safety and health while you are in residence, and this will include managing any discipline issues that may arise in the Hall. Students must be responsible for their own behaviour, and exercise care and concern for the University facilities and their fellow residents.

The Residences are open the weekend before Orientation commences so that students can settle, organise self-catering, adjust to accommodation and recover from jetlag before they commence Orientation.

 Please note that you will be not permitted into the halls before this date. The Orientation sessions are compulsory for all Study Abroad students.

The Halls are located on-campus. Rooms are not uniform in size. Some students are allocated a single room and others share a twin or triple room. Bathroom facilities are shared, as are kitchen facilities for self-catering. Bed linen and a towel are provided. Each room has a study desk fitted with a desk lamp. All electrical goods are available in Fremantle and can be bought when you arrive. If you prefer to bring your own electrical appliances, please be aware that the Australian standard is 240 volts. Therefore, for expensive electrical appliances, such as CD players or radios, an adaptor or converter with appropriate voltage conversions should be bought prior to departure. Radio Shack products have proved successful here. Be warned that converter products do not always work. Keep receipts!  Reasonably priced adaptors can be purchased in Fremantle.

Common rooms have dining tables, TV and video. Each Hall of Residence is self-catering and has a community kitchen with appliances and equipment. Regular “Combined Halls” meals are arranged at different locations throughout the semester. 

*Alcohol is not allowed in the Halls and there is a 'zero tolerance' drug policy.

The Halls of Residence are within easy walking distance of markets, shops, cinemas and cafes. The train and bus stations are close by.  In the first few days of your arrival, your Residential Supervisor will assist with a local tour to help you with local travel and supermarket shopping locations.

There is a chapel on campus and mass occurs weekly on Sunday evenings for you if you wish to be a part of the local community. Mass is held every weekday at 12:30 pm on campus for the University community. You are encouraged to be involved in the Liturgies.

A comprehensive Incoming Study Abroad Handbook will be issued at your orientation. If you are planning to be absent from the residence overnight must complete a sign-out sheet which will provide your Residential Supervisor with full contact details.

Please contact the Housing Officer for other options for accommodation on housing@nd.edu.au.

Laundry

There are coin operated washing machines and dryers in every Hall of Residence. Students also need to purchase their own washing detergent.

Computing Facilities

Each Hall of Residence has a computer lab with 24 hour internet access. You should bring your personal laptop with you if you have one, but should carry them as part of your hand luggage to prevent loss/ theft in transit. There are networked computing and printing facilities in the residential computer labs. The purchase of paper for printing is your responsibility.  Computer facilities (Macintosh and DOS) are also available on campus at the Information Technology Centre and the Library.  Bear in mind that computing facilities are not as extensive as those on the larger College campuses.

Telephones

Each residence has a coin-operated pay phone. Local calls cost 40 or 50 cents. Phone cards can be purchased from a number of outlets and can be used for international calls. In addition, the residence halls have a couple of student phones. These are primarily for incoming calls, but outgoing calls can be made to free-call numbers and university extensions. You may find it more convenient to purchase a mobile (cell) phone on arrival. A mobile phone can be purchased for approximately A$80-$100 (including a certain amount of free calls). Additional pre-paid cards can then be purchased for A$30 or $50. We suggest that you shop around for the best international phone deal.

Banking

Prior to departure you need to let your home bank know that you are leaving the country to solve any problems in Australia. To open a bank account in Australia, you will need to provide written confirmation of your enrolment at Notre Dame Australia, your student card as well as your passport. It normally takes a week or so for bankcards to be mailed to the applicant.  There are many banks that students can choose to use and different banks offer different services, so it pays to “shop around”.  Banks located in Fremantle are:

• Westpac Bank,
• Commonwealth Bank,
• ANZ Bank,
• Bankwest, and
• National Australia Bank.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMS)

Automatic Teller Machines are operated by bank and credit unions and allow limited transactions 24 hours per day. They are conveniently located at banks and shopping centres and allow access to cash, both during and outside business hours.

If you don't intend to open an Australian bank account, then it is advisable that you check with your US bank that your bank card can be used at Australian ATMs. There is likely to be a charge per withdrawal. 

EFTPOS

Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale is available in most shops. It allows you to use a credit card or bankcard to purchase goods. You can also withdraw cash if you have a card that is linked to your savings or other account(s).

EPOS

Electronic Point of Sale differs from EFTPOS in that it allows you to deposit money into a bank account or credit card account as well as withdraw money.  Also unlike EFTPOS, and EPOS deposit or withdrawal gives you the balance of the account upon completion of the transaction.

We suggest that you do not bring large amounts of cash with you. However, it will be necessary to bring sufficient cash to use while you are waiting to access your bank account. Approximately AUD$300 should be enough. You can then withdraw money over the course of the semester from your bank account, using your ATM card.

Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere. American Express, Discover and Diners Cards are also accepted, but not so widely. Please note that the cost for cash advances on credit cards is high in Australia.

Past students reported that they spent a minimum of A$1800 during the semester to cover meals. This does not include entertainment. Students can also spend anywhere between A$1,500 and A$3,000 on travel.

Clothing

Perth is well known for its Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and cold wet winters. November to April are our warmest months and temperatures range from 22ºC (72ºF) - 40°C (105ºF).  May to October are cooler with temperatures ranging from 4ºC (40ºF) -19°C (66ºF). Don't forget the warm clothes for the colder months, as it is a lot more expensive to buy clothes in Australia than the USA.

The recommended items of clothing are:

Summer:

• Lighter garments for summer months: jeans, t-shirts and shorts;
• Jumpers or sweaters and a warm jacket for cool evenings and winter months;
• A variety of footwear.  Bring athletic shoes, sandals, at least one pair that will endure anything, such as hiking boots, and a pair of dress shoes. 
• Beachwear and surf gear;
• Lightweight waterproof jacket.

Autumn (fall):

Students suggest that you bring some autumn clothes (fall).  Remember, this is Australia and there is no central heating in the residences. However, common room areas are heated in the cooler weather.  You may want to bring a sleeping bag for added warmth and touring trips, especially in the cooler second semester (fall).
• Warm Pyjamas     
• Sleeping Bag

Field Trips:

We suggest you bring 'old' clothing for your Broome Field Trip as your clothing will get covered in the red dust and mud of that region, and most students throw them away at the end of the field trip.
• Old t-shirts, shorts
• Old joggers

Night/Evening Wear:

In general people in Perth/Fremantle at night wear smart/casual clothes. In the first semester (spring), the Student Association holds a formal cocktail party and you may need to bring a semi formal dress or dress pants/suit. 
In the second semester (fall) Student Association hold the University Annual Ball. You should bring a formal 'prom' dress/ tux for the student ball if you wish to attend.  It is easy to hire a tux for approximately A$100. These events are held each year, with large attendance by the whole student community.

Other:

• Casual sundresses / skirts can be useful for women and khakis or dark pants for men;
• Night club/pub wear is similar to what you would wear at home all shoes must be closed in for men (no flip flops) for entrance into clubs/pubs.
Other articles that you may want to pack: 
• Sunglasses are important;
• Camera;  
• A good wallet;
• Bag that can be used for books or the beach;
• Batteries and film for cameras as they are more expensive in Australia;
• All toiletries are available locally, though you may not find familiar brands, and the students often comment they are more expensive here.

Sun Awareness

The Western Australian sun is intense and may be harmful to your skin.  To avoid sunburn and skin damage in summer, we suggest you take the following steps:

•   before you go outside, apply SPF 30+ broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen to all areas, except those that will be covered by highly protective clothing all the time you are outside, and
•   make sure you take extra SPF 30+ sunscreen, a broad rimmed hat, a long sleeved shirt with a collar and long pants, particularly if you are fair skinned.

Shopping

Normal Shop Trading Hours:
8.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday
8.30am - 5.00pm Saturday

Every Thursday shops in the suburbs are open until 9.00pm. Late night shopping in Perth city is on Friday until 9.00pm. Most stores in Perth city and Fremantle are open from 12.00pm to 5.00pm each Sunday.

Transport

Students are advised not to drive in Australia during the semester and in the semester breaks, as the road rules may differ from their home countries. The easiest and cheapest way to travel in Fremantle and Perth is to use the public train and bus system. The University of Notre Dame Australia is only a five-minute walk from the Fremantle Train Station. Trains run from Platform 7 at the Perth Train Station to the Fremantle Station at regular times during the day. All buses to Fremantle stop at the Fremantle Train Station. You can access the Transperth website at www.transperth.wa.gov.au .

Fremantle and Perth city also have a free Central Area Transit (CAT) bus service.  This service operates within these two areas at no cost, usually every fifteen minutes.  Students are able to obtain a ‘Day Rider’ which can allow them to travel on all public transport on cheaper rates.

Leisure and Sporting Facilities

The pleasant climate and beautiful environment provide numerous opportunities for leisure and sporting activities.  Sport is very popular and there are excellent public facilities in Fremantle. Notre Dame does not have College Sport like in the US, as sport is organised through the suburban sports clubs which form a community with scheduled sports fixtures, and many sports clubs have their own sports rooms and bars, where club members congregate after the game.  This is part of the Australian way of life and you will be given a list of local clubs in a range of sports with this guide. We encourage you to join up as you will certainly meet and mix with local 'Aussies'!  There are swimming pools, football fields, ovals, tennis and squash courts, leisure centres, basketball courts, golf courses and beaches. Many Australians play and watch sport on the weekends, and study abroad students will have the opportunity to discover new and exciting sports,  including Aussie Rules Football (AFL) which takes place over the winter months in Australia.

Each semester a sporting event the “Friendship Cup” is held between Study Abroad students and domestic students, this is a fun event which students always enjoy.

Other events organised by The Student Life Office include: film evenings which often focus on Australian films, trips to the aquarium, zoo, art gallery and other local attractions.

Local Fremantle

Fremantle is a vibrant port city of Perth and only twenty minutes by train or car from the Perth city.  You can easily soak up the vibrant mix of cultures in this working port city.  Fremantle is unique for its heritage architecture and artistic cosmopolitan atmosphere. It is also blessed with many galleries for you to explore. You will also find alfresco cafés and an extensive range of dining options. Fremantle has been described as the world's best-preserved 19th century seaport.
Activities not to miss when visiting Fremantle:

• Fremantle Markets - boasts a variety of bargains and souvenirs along with various other stalls. The markets are open Fridays 9am to 9pm, Saturdays 9am to 5pm, Sundays 10am to 5pm and Monday Public Holidays 10am to 5pm.

• Convict Buildings - including the Round House, which is the State's oldest building, dating back to 1831.

• Fremantle Prison - received its first prisoners in 1855 and was built by the prisoners themselves. You can have a tour of this historical, now unused prison, which is said to be haunted. These tours are usually run at night!

• Maritime Museum - see Australia's earliest shipwrecks and tales of exploration, shipwreck and mutiny at the WA Maritime Museum. Open daily 9.30am to 5pm.

• Fishing Boat Harbour - always a favourite destination for locals and tourists, the Fishing Boat Harbour has a wide range of attractions, including high speed boat rides, restaurants and coffee shops, as well as a tranquil harbour tour.