Lest we forget.
It is the time of year where we come together to pause and reflect on those who have fallen.
Albany holds a special place in our wartime history, being the last port of departure where brave Australian citizens went to fight in the Great War – some never to return home. It is tough to swallow but a period that shall never be forgotten across all generations.
Walk in the footsteps of the brave men and women who fought for our country and freedoms by paying your respects and visiting these historical sites in Albany.
National Anzac Centre
Anzac’s history just got personal.
The world-class centre offers interactive experiences through audio commentary and multimedia displays, recounting the personal views of over 30 Australian civilians involved in the Great War. The centre also gives a border perspective of what life was like for both sides combating the war, giving the point of views of a Turkish and German soldier.
Its Mount Clarence location is symbolic, overlooking Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound, the last point of contact for over 41,000 men and women with their homeland before arriving in Europe and ultimately, Gallipoli.
The centre has undergone renovations earlier this year, the first time since opening its doors in 2014 with some exhibitions slightly adjusted and now hosting short-term exhibitions.
This centre is one of Australia’s most significant cultural pilgrimages. It’s upsetting; it’s confronting yet a moving experience presented with class and without fanfare.
National Anzac Centre, 67 Forts Rd, Mount Clarence, WA 6331
Princess Royal Fortress
Step back in time wandering the Princess Royal Fortress.
Ribboning Mount Clarence, the fortress dates back to pre-federation times, one out of two first built to protect trading routes. It was the country’s first, built in 1893 and used as part of a national strategy to defend Australia until 1956.
The coastal defence now stands as an open-air museum into the past with weaponry and bunkers on display. The fortress is free to roam, almost maze-like with access to decommissioned artillery including cannons, missiles, tankers readily open.
For all the wartime history buffs, it is a different kind of educational visit; a solemn reminder of what machinery dotted the battlefield landscape, all displayed amongst Mount Clarence’s beautiful bushlands.
Princess Royal Fortress, 67 Forts Rd, Mount Clarence, WA 6331
Museum of the Great Southern
To have a broader understanding of the region’s history, head to the Museum of the Great Southern.
The Museum chronicles the unique natural and social history of the Great Southern through its exhibitions and public and educational programs. Stories of the Menang Noongar people and early settlers and convicts are told as well as discussing the region’s landscapes, flora and fauna. Museum of the Great Southern, Residency Road, Albany, WA 6330.
Events to commemorate Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day service
- Date: Wednesday, 11 November
- Time: 10.30am service
- Where: Albany War Memorial
Freedom of Entry Parade
- Date: Saturday, 14 November – 11th/28th Battalion by The Royal Western Australia Regiment
- Time: 2.45pm
- Where: Parade along Stirling Tce, York Street and Grey Street East
Feature image: Tourism Western Australia
More ways to discover Albany via Australia’s South West.
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