Historical Attractions in Albany
From heritage buildings to museums and more, Albany has a wealth of cultural and historical attractions, dating back to when it was first founded as a convict settlement.
Albany Heritage Walk Trail
The Albany Heritage Walk Trail involves visiting many of the heritage buildings which were constructed in the 1800s, and includes Stirling Terrace. Established in 2000, the walk, which takes around 30 minutes, allows you to discover much about the original settlers.
Whale World
Whale World is located on the southern coast of King George Sound, a short drive from the Guest House, and is the location of the last operating whaling station in Australia, before it was decommissioned in 1978.
Open daily from 9am to 5pm, closed on Christmas.
| Whale World |
The Brig Amity
The Brig Amity is a replica of the original vessel which brought the first white settlers to Albany. Built in 1975, the Amity is available for public viewing and can be explored above and below deck with a gold coin donation.
| The Brig Amity |
Old Gaol
The old Gaol is a fully restored complex of cells and warders' quarters. It was built in 1852 for Imperial convicts shipped to Western Australia as artisans and skilled laborers.
Open every day for public viewing from 10am to 4pm except Christmas, Good Friday. Closed on Anzac day until 1pm. Tours are self guided, unless by prior arrangement. Night tours also available.
St John's Church of England
The Anglican church of St John the Evangelist was the first to be consecrated in WA. The ceremony was conducted by Bishop Augustus Short on October 25, 1848.
Although Short was the Bishop of Adelaide, his vast diocese included the whole of Western Australia, which then had just eight clergymen, four church buildings, with five under construction, one parsonage and one school.
Princess Royal Fortress
During the 19th century, the potential loss of Albany as a strategic port to an enemy naval squadron was recognised as a threat to the security of Australia. Consequently, as the first federal act - before federation - all the Australian states agreed to proportionally pay for the construction of a fort with the Imperial British Government supplying the guns. The Fort was opened in 1893 as the first federal defence of Australia, and today is called the Princess Royal Fortress.
The Light Horse Memorial
Unveiled in 1968, this memorial consists of a free-standing cast bronze figure of two troopers and their horses set on a granite base.
It is a replica of the original memorial which stood at Port Said in Egypt depicting a mounted Australian Light-Horseman defending a New Zealand Mounted Rifleman standing beside his wounded horse.
HMAS Perth Dive Wreck
The former HMAS Perth guided missile destroyer was scuttled in 35m of water in King George Sound in November 2001. The 133m destroyer now provides divers with a wonderful opportunity to explore its underwater interiors.
The ship's mast protrudes 8.5m above the water and is a mounting point for two webcams, one above and one below the waterline.
86 Stirling Terrace, Albany, 6330, WA
0412704794
08 9842 8325