Arts
Amazing Albany is arts fixated – so much so that you can gallery-hop your way around town for days.
Think star-quality musos, artisanal stores, and international acts at the architecturally award-winning Albany Entertainment Centre. Chat to local artists between sets at one of the city's historic venues over a bespoke ale, and get insight into Albany's creatives.
With events of global acclaim held in local theatres and wineries around Albany throughout the year, Music and Arts Festivals delight and entertain without fail.
The Southern Art + Craft Trail boasts more than 60 exhibitions and studios held in September and October each year, drawing crowds of more than 10,000. Plan your visit around the Trail and soak up the authentic experience of the region with workshops, exhibitions, demonstrations, awards and opportunities to purchase investment pieces.
Feature Film Trail
There's something magnetic about our raw and beautiful South Coast. At least that's what the film buffs seem to be indicating, with a bunch of quality movies - including Breath, H is for Happiness and Rams - filmed here in the past few years.
We've prepared a Self Drive Film Location Tour Map so you can see first-hand what's so inspiring about the Amazing South Coast.
Do note, however, that not all locations are open to the public!
Films and television series featured in the drive trail include:
Simon Baker's feature film Breath was filmed in Denmark and along the south coast in 2016 and released in 2018. The film is based on Tim Winton's novel of the same name, which earned the West Australian author his fourth Miles Franklin Award.
If the rolling hills and pastoral perfection of Rams is more your scene, you can follow this detailed drive trail to see the filming locations up close.
Public Art Trail
Enjoy walking on a self-guided Art trail of public Artwork around the City Centre.
Click here to access the map and information on each Art Work.
Culture and Heritage
Equally, our region holds especially dear the ANZAC troops for whom, on 1 November 1914, Albany was the final departure point on their way to the battlefields of the First World War. A National ANZAC Centre has been established in Albany to honour that memory.
Albany is the oldest colonial settlement in Western Australia, predating Perth and Fremantle by over two years.
There's so much to learn and such an incredibly beautiful natural environment in which to do it – where will you begin your journey of discovery?
National ANZAC Centre
At the National ANZAC Centre, interactive displays will take you on an intimate journey of a participant in the war. Under the shade of trees planted to remember fallen soldiers, the Avenue of Honour leads to the Memorial of the Desert Mounted Corps. The dawn service is Padre White's story. See the view that the departing ANZAC Troops had before they sailed onwards to war; for some of them, the last vision of homeland.
Strawberry Hill Farm
Come and explore the new Visitor Hub and reconnect with the fascinating story of the oldest European farm in Western Australia, established even before the Swan River Colony.
Long before European settlement, Barmup was a meeting place for Menang Aboriginal people. In 1826 a government farm was established near the watercourse, which fed the fledgling settlement. The Government Resident Sir Richard Spencer later purchased it and in the 1890s by Francis and Maude Bird.
When it was built, Strawberry Hill was home to many, but the house itself has only had two owners. It was the first property managed by the National Trust in Western Australia. With the new Visitor Hub launch, you can now experience this site in so many new ways.
New heritage interpretation includes guided tours with expert commentary of the Main House, exhibition displays to learn more of the history of the place, and two self-guided tour routes to explore the grounds at your leisure and appreciate the cultural landscape surrounding Strawberry Hill.
Albany History Collection
The Albany History Collection is part of the Albany Public Library and was established to collect documentary historical information on Albany and the surrounding regions. The Collection was set up in the 1980s and has become one of Western Australia's leading local history collections. There is a Reading Room for public access to the Collection.
The Collection contains all types of documentary information - books, pamphlets, journals, newspapers, maps, photographs, private archives, oral histories, films and birth, death and marriage registers. These are stored in a variety of formats, including microfilm and CD-ROM.
Brig Amity
Walk up the gangplank and step back in time aboard Brig Amity to find out what life was like aboard a convict ship in 1826.
As you explore the ship, listen to the story of Amity's perilous 6-week journey from Sydney to Mammang-Koort/ King George Sound to establish the first European settlement on the west coast of Australia.
Discover the sights and sounds below deck that were encountered by those aboard as they headed for unknown lands, sharing space with the ship's crew, 23 convicts, 21 soldiers and enough domestic animals, food crops and building materials to start the small, remote outpost.
The informative and helpful volunteer guides will assist you in navigating your visit, and you will be happy to answer any questions you may have. They can also tell you other interesting things to do and see at the Museum of the Great Southern and in Albany.
The Amity is part of the Museum of the Great Southern site on Residency Road, Albany.
Further Details:
Volunteers staff the Brig Amity, so opening and closing times may vary during inclement weather. Please ring the Museum of the Great Southern on 9841 4844 ahead of your visit to avoid disappointment.
Museum of the Great Southern
Refurbished in July 2010, the refitted Museum overlooks picturesque Princess Royal Harbour on the site of the first European settlement in Western Australia.
The Museum of the Great Southern provides exhibitions, public programs, educational programs, and information on the region's unique natural and social history.
The Museum shares the stories of the Menang Noongar people and the influence of Mokare, a young Noongar warrior, and the stories of the early settlers and convicts. It explores the region's unique natural landscape, flora and fauna.
Wedding Gown Display
This rich textile collection Includes gowns dating back to the 1880s till present.
You will see wedding gowns, christening gowns, ball dresses & funeral items.
Open - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:30 am to 11:30 pm (closed Christmas week)Gold Coin Donation - A unique collection of historical textiles12 Duke Street, Albany The collection is held at the rear of the Uniting Church buildings and is well worth a visit.
Photography is allowed.