Week 16/52 - Albany, Jewell of the South Coast

Welcome to week 16 of our 52 week tour of Western Australia. Here we are in Albany, 54 kilometres east of Denmark - our last destination.

In 1826, 38 years after the First Fleet landed at Port Jackson, French mariner and explorer Dumont D’Urville describing the future site of Albany on Western Australia’s south coast wrote, “…it would be difficult to find a more favourable place to establish a colony…”. WA did not become a French colony, the British established WA’s first European settlement at Albany that same year, but 180 years later, visitors agree with D’Urville that this region has a rich variety of attractions.

Towering forests and exquisite wildflowers, national parks and ancient ranges, spectacular rugged coastlines and white sandy beaches, water sports and whale-watching, scenic drives and walk trails, museums and heritage buildings, fine arts and crafts, award winning wineries and restaurants. Whether you’re camping or travelling Five Star, all of this and more is available within the Albany region and along the Southern Ocean coastline, offering something for everyone.

We had a mixture of weather when we visited Albany - raining and cold one minute and brilliant sunshine the next - so I have a mixed bag of photos for you.

This is the view across Princess Royal Harbour to Albany, nestled at the base of Mount Clarence and Mount Melville

From Life Images by Jill

Here we are on the Quaranup Point, and the small entrance into the harbour. On this point near where we are standing Captain George Vancouver of the Royal British Navy claimed Western Australia for the Britain in 29 September 1791. On the opposite side are some old stone buildings, and away in the distance the Stirling Ranges - next weeks destination.

From Life Images by Jill

This is Strawberry Hill farm - The wattle and daub cottages at Strawberry Hill Farm built in 1831 and Patrick Taylor Cottage built in 1832 are two of the oldest buildings in Albany.

From Life Images by Jill

And here is the Natural Bridge - on the southern side of the Harbour - where you can experience the awesome power of the Southern Ocean crashing on the rock faces of The Gap, Natural Bridge and The Blowholes in the Torndirrup National Park. Awesome on the rouch day with the waves crashing up.

From Life Images by Jill

 
Another one of Albany's beautiful old buildings - the Rectory at St Johns Church...

From Life Images by Jill

Popular swimming beach - Middleton Beach...you can walk here from city centre along a walk trail with views of the harbour....

From Life Images by Jill

Across this little bay you can see our accommodation - the old Quarantine Station - it has magnificent views over the harbour to the town....There is a walk trail to Possession Point.

From Life Images by Jill

A beach along the walk trail.....

From Life Images by Jill