Sights in South Coast
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Whale World Museum
The Whale World Museum, 21km from Albany, is based in Frenchman’s Bay at Cheynes Beach Whaling Station, which closed in November 1978. There’s the rusting Cheynes IV whale chaser and station equipment to inspect outside. The museum screens several 3-D gore-spattered films and other films about whaling operations, and displays harpoons, whaleboat models and scrimshaw (etchings on whalebone). There are free guided tours on the hour.
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Princess Royal Fortress
As Albany was a strategic port, its vulnerability to attack was seen as a potential threat to Australia's security. The restored buildings, gun emplacements and views of this 1893 hilltop fort make a rewarding visit. Particularly poignant are the photos of the troop transports on their way to Gallipoli.
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Albany Residency Museum
One of the most impressive buildings was turned into the Albany Residency Museum. Built in the 1850s as the home of the resident magistrate, the museum has displays telling seafaring stories, explaining local natural history, and showing Aboriginal artefacts.
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Old Gaol
Opposite the Albany Residency Museum, the 1851 Old Gaol was constructed as a hiring depot for ticket-of-leave convicts. Most were in private employment by 1855, so it was closed until 1872, when it reopened as a civil gaol. These days it’s a folk museum.
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Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre
The excellent community-managed and volunteer-run Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre is in Ongerup, about 50km north of the Mount Trio Bush Camping & Caravan Park – check opening hours before visiting.
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Old Farm at Strawberry Hill
The Old Farm at Strawberry Hill is one of the earliest in the state. The homestead features antiques and artefacts that belonged to the original owner, and has beautiful gardens and tearooms.
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Albany Wind Farm
En route to Whale World, about 12km from Albany, stop off to take a look at the Albany Wind Farm, the biggest in the southwest and an eerily striking sight as you get closer.
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Vancouver Arts Centre
The Vancouver Arts Centre, in an 1887 building formerly used as a hospital, is the centre of the area's arts community. It has regular touring exhibitions and cultural events.
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Dog Rock
On Middleton Rd you can't miss one of Albany's icons, the kitsch Dog Rock, which looks like a dog's head (the locals have even painted on a dog collar to reinforce the point).
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Amity
Next to the Albany Residency Museum is a full-scale replica of the brig Amity, which carried Albany’s founding party to the area from Sydney in 1826.
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Patrick Taylor Cottage
Believed to be the oldest colonial dwelling in WA, this 1832 wattle-and-daub cottage is packed with antiques, freaky mannequins and displays on its former residents.
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Porongurup National Park
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Western Australian Museum – Albany
This branch of the state museum has a kids' discovery section, a lighthouse exhibition and a gallery. It incorporates the 1850s home of the resident magistrate, which tells seafaring stories, explains local natural history and has displays on Minang Noongar history.
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Town Centre
Stirling Tce is noted for its Victorian shopfronts, Old Post Office and Courthouse. On York St you'll see St John's Anglican Church and the Town Hall. A guided walking- tour brochure is available from the visitor centre.
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Middleton & Emu Beaches
Just around the headland east of the town centre, facing King George Sound, these beautiful beaches share one stretch of sand and are perfect for families – both human and cetacean. In winter, you'll often see mother whales and their calves here – sometimes two or three sets at once. Head around Emu Point to Oyster Harbour and there are swimming pontoons and even calmer waters.
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Brig Amity
Next to the museum is a full-scale replica of the brig that carried Albany's first British settlers from Sydney in 1826.
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Albany Convict Gaol
The old jail was built in 1851 as a hiring depot for ticket-of-leave convicts. In 1872 it was extended and reopened as a civil jail. These days it's a folk museum.
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Museum
The town has been settled since the 1830s and the convict-built 1868 police station and gaol have been preserved as a museum.
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Banksia Farm
All 77 species of weird and wonderful Australian banksia tree have found a home at the Banksia Farm.
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