Photos of Around Albany, the first colonial settlement in Western Australia, Australia

At the southern tip of Western Australia, Albany (Kinjarling to the Noogar (Nyungar) Aboriginal people) is a port city. It was founded in 1826, making it the oldest colonial settlement in the west: Perth and Fremantle are over two years younger. It is an attractive city with many heritage buildings and great views from Mount Melville (Kardarup). The Museum of the Great Southern is worth visiting, with stories of the Menang Noongar people and the region’s unique landscapes, flora and fauna.

Albany was the last port of call for troopships departing in the First World War with ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) personnel. On 1 November 2014, the National ANZAC Centre was established on Mount Clarence, overlooking King George Sound, commemorating 100 years since the first ANZAC troops departed from there. Here is also the Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum and various memorials.

Ten kilometres south of the city, on the peninsula’s south coast across Shoal Bay, is Torndirrup National Park, with spectacular coastal views of the Gap, Natural Bridge, and blowholes. Albany’s Historic Whaling Station is on the north coast, with an intact whale processing factory, a whale-chasing ship, and colossal whale skeletons. Nearby is the Australian Wildlife Park.