Previously serving as an outer, rural area of Fremantle, most of the present-day suburb was originally developed in the late 1890s and early 1900s as a result of the Western Australian gold rushes.

Prior to European settlement, the Noongar people obtained food and drinking water from the river edges and open grassy areas.

Shortly after the establishment of the Swan River Colony, a track linking Perth to Fremantle was documented through the area.

[2] Initially, the area was dominated by agricultural activity, but after the 1890s gold rush, it became increasingly residential and suburban in character.

Each year in December, the suburb hosts the East Fremantle Festival in George Street, located in the historic district of Plympton.

The suburb is served by a range of buses from Fremantle train station, by which residents can link to the CircleRoute and to the Perth central business district.