Albany
Princess Royal Harbour
Albany is a city of about 33,000 situated 405 kilometres from Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Residents and visitors enjoy a superb natural environment, which offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, whale-watching and a host of other outdoor activities. The city has a high level of community services and infrastructure, including excellent health care, well resourced library, a university presence, well-maintained sports grounds and a host of opportunities for healthy and rewarding lifestyles. The main industries in Albany are tourism, fishing and agriculture, although before the 1950s whaling was one of the major sources of income and employment for the population. The whaling station has now become one of the biggest tourist attractions for the area. The city offers all the services associated with a regional centre of this size. The city is nestled between three large hills Mount Clarence, Mount Melville and Mount Adelaide facing the beautiful King George Sound. Albany is also home to great attractions like the Mount Clarence war memorial, the scenic Wind Farm, numerous white-sanded beaches and the stunning King George Harbour. During the months from September to November the area explodes with wildflowers and the Porongurups and Stirling Ranges is definitely well worth a visit to get in touch with nature, Albany, however, is primarily a holiday centre, and each year thousands come here to enjoy their holidays. The city is also used as a base to visit many beauty spots of the Great Southern. Anzac Peace Park is now taking shape at the western end of the Albany Waterfront. The Peace Park honours Australian troops and recognises Albany's role in the Anzac legend.
The landscaped park will honour Albany as the departure point for 30,000 Australian and New Zealand troops heading to World War I and as the site of Australia's first official Anzac Day dawn service.
Albany's Pier of Remembrance curves out to sea and symbolises troops leaving for WW1
History of Albany In 1791, English explorer George Vancouver entered and named King George Sound. On 26 September of that year Vancouver took possession of New Holland for the British Crown on the site of what is now known as Albany. The King George Sound settlement was a hastily dispatched British military outpost, intended to forestall any plans by France for settlements in Western Australia. Albany is the site of the oldest continuous European settlement in Western Australia. Founded in 1826, three years before the state capital of Perth, Albany was officially named by Governor Stirling in 1832. It is named after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, and son of King George III.
