Albany Historic Whaling Station

 Wednesday 16 September - 181767

Today we visited Albany Historic Whaling Station - the last whaling station to operate in Australia. This is a heritage listed site with a lot of information about whales and the whaling industry. There is a restored whale chaser ship that we were able to thoroughly explore, as well as the processing factory that has been renovated. I was surprised to learn that this had been a tourist attraction while it was operational. It was also interesting to learn that several of the whaling captains became involved in whale conservation, one even joined Greenpeace. 

Discovery Bay     Albany Historic Whaling Station

We also visited the adjoins Regional Wildflower Garden and had a tour of local wildflowers with the head gardener.    Regional Wildflower Garden

Last up with visited pretty Frenchman Bay and looked at King George Sound from a different perspective.

Frenchman Bay

9 December - National ANZAC Centre and Albany Heritage Park, Albany

9 December 2016 – 198 302

National ANZAC Centre and Albany Heritage Park, Albany

This morning we visited some beautiful lookouts with views over King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour.  

https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Attraction/King_George_Sound/56b267c82cbcbe7073ae1ae7

https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Attraction/Princess_Royal_Harbour/56b267c8d5f1565045dab013

The National ANZAC Centre was today’s destination.  

https://www.nationalanzaccentre.com.au/

This is an amazing facility, with all the usual visual boards regarding the entire First World War from the perspective of Australia and New Zealand forces, particularly those that left in the first and second convoys departing from Albany.  There was also an auditory device that you could listen to additional material related to many of the visual boards.  Each visitor was given a card of an individual from either the  first or second convoys – these were inserted into a reader at various locations to give information on that individual’s journey and experience during the First World War.  There are also a number of spaces set aside in the area for sitting and thinking. Overall this is a fantastic facility and well worth the entry fee, however it would be great if this was federally funded and free to all Australians (and New Zealanders).  We also took a guided tour of the Princess Royal Fortress – this is beautifully maintained, in terms of both the buildings and the assorted weaponry, with the guns still being able to be swivelled and elevated.  

https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Attraction/Princess_Royal_Fortress_Military_Museum/56b2672ed5f1565045daa6ae

A short climb took us up to Padre White Lookout, from where the first Australian ANZAC service was conducted.

https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Attraction/Padre_White_Lookout/56b26bd0d5f1565045dada7d