Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with FacebookLatest Albany hotel reviews
We often get forum queries from people looking to volunteer in Australia - often young people on a 'gap' year - and so here's an idea that might be of interest.
The Bibbulmun Track is a 964 kilometre premier walking track from Perth to Albany on the south coast of Western Australia. En route it passes through astonishingly beautiful bush and is a wonderful experience, even if you only get to hike a certain section.
Maintaining and upgrading the track is a labour of love, and is undertaken by a 3,500 strong band of volunteers, assisted by (to quote the website), "prison gangs of trustee prisoners for some of the heavier work" (!).
The Bibbulman Track Foundation is always looking for willing volunteers to assist them in this work - the company I used to work for in Perth used to do this as a corporate social responsibility exercise (see the website below for more details).
Even if you don't have the time and energy to help out in person, other opportunities to help include making a donation to their sponsorship drive for eco-friendly 'dunnies' (toilets) along the route. This provides you with a unique stab at immortality, as for a fee you can have a family or individual plaque set on the dunny door on any of the forty-eight shelters which house dry bush drop toilets! (see website for further details on this).
An opportunity to spend time in the bush, have a toilet named in your honour and maybe even rub shoulders with dinky di crims ... 'struth, sounds like the quintessential Aussie experience to me! :)
Updated Oct 24, 2011
Website: http://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/SupportUs/Become-a-volunteer.aspx
Helpfulness
When in Albany even if you are just passing through...stop and have a "coldie "or something to eat at Western Australias oldest pub in its oldest town (Albany) .appropriately named the Albany Hotel..Opened in 1835 and almost 175 years old..
Written Sep 30, 2009
Address: on the main road in town..
Helpfulness
This is a great place to visit when in Albany..as this town has been linked so much to the Australian military.. The Princess Royal Fortress is surely an appropriate place to visit..Located not far from The Desert Corps "Light Horse Memorial" at the top of the mountain overlooking King Georges sound..This Fortress has featured prominently in our wartime history..Located here are the original Barracks ..the Royal Battery.. a military Heritage centre..a wonderful Light Horse Museum and a Naval Museum.. as Albany was the biggest secret Submarine base in the Pacific in the second world war the naval museum holds lots of interesting items. on the outside there are many artillery pieces also missiles etc. on exhibition here...This is a museum run by Volunteers and any donations are gladly received...there is an entrance fee ..see the gentleman on duty in the guardhouse..
Written Sep 29, 2009
Address: Forts Road..Albany..(off )Marine Drive
Phone: (08) 9841 9333
Website: www.forts.albany.wa.gov.au
Helpfulness
The last operating whaling station in Australia closed down in 1978 and was later turned into a museum.
The whaling ship Cheynes IV and the buildings, tools and machinery of the factory show how whales were hunted and then flensed, cut up and processed. A bloody business it was.
Other parts of the exhibition show more about the animals, including a series of life-size whale skeletons.
3 movie theatres inside the former storage tanks present a 3-D movie about the life of whales, a multimedia show on sharks and a film about the history of whaling. Unfortunately these storage tanks are boiling hot on sunny days and the air inside still has an unpleasant stink...
Not to be missed: the Spectra Vision presentation about "A Day in the Life of a Whaler" which uses miniaturized projection techniques to document the life of a whaler and his wife. On a little stage with several items and settings the two miniature people move around and talk about their lives. Cute and well done.
Written May 3, 2008
Address: Frenchman Bay
Website: http://www.whaleworld.org/
Helpfulness
Mount Clarence is the highest of the hills in town and offers a splendid view of the surrounding landscape, the bays and islands.
The ANZAC memorial remembers Australia's World War I victims. Spend a thought on what madness war is.
Walk up slowly and quietly, if you are lucky the sunbathing skinks on the edge of the path will stay and pose for your camera.
Written May 3, 2008
Address: Top of Mount Clarence
Helpfulness
Princess Royal Fortress is located on Mt Adelaide which used to be a Military Institute. It has been refurbished to a visitors centre and tearoom.
You can take your time to stroll around the forts and enjoy the breathtaking view of the King George Sound and the surrounding area.
Updated Nov 6, 2007
Helpfulness
Albany Residence Museum is located next to the Replica of the Brig Amity and near the Old Gaol.
Built in 1850s as Commissariat for the convict hiring depot and extended in 1873 to become the Government Residency. Opened as part of Westetn Australia Museum in 1975.
Updated Nov 6, 2007
Helpfulness
The Old Gaol was built in 1850s by the convicts. It was used to house the convicts and became the district gaol in 1872.
In the early 1930s it became a storehouse and was extensively restored in 1968.
It is now a museum of Gaol life.
Opens daily from 10am to 4pm. Admission fee is $5.
Updated Nov 6, 2007
Helpfulness
John Barnesby Memorial Lookout point is located on Mt Melville.
It has a magnificent view of the city and the coastline. The lookout is 23 metres high and has 3 level.
The tower is named in memory of Ex-Mayor of Albany, John Barnesby from 1955-1962, who made significant contribution to tourism over many years. It was unveiled by his wife, Mrs Hilda Barnesby on 7 Aug 1977 during Albany's 150 Anniversary.
Updated Nov 6, 2007
Address: Mt Melville
Helpfulness
Emu Point is a peaceful beach where families gathers for a picnic, fishing, boating, playground or just strolling along the beach.
The water is calm and ideal for children to play by the beach. There is a café which serve fish and chips and a Japanese restaurant.
The people are very friendly over here. We spoke to a couple who were there fishing and brought along their dog for a stroll. At the swing, we met an elderly men who is there taking a walk. We were touched by the story of him losing his beloved wife. He was still going strong. We had to say our goodbyes but they left a deep impression in our hearts.
Updated Nov 5, 2007
Sponsored Links
1 Review and 8 Opinions We mainly picked this hotel because we were on a budget and it was listed in our travel brochure of...
1 Review and 32 Opinions Anything from caravan sites to fully self contained 2brm spa chalets. Excellent rates. 100 mtrs to...
1 Review and 22 Opinions We had previously had a week's holiday here 10 years ago and decided to return for the weekend as it...
Reviews and photos of Albany attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Albany sightseeing.
Emu Point is a peaceful beach where families gathers for a picnic, fishing, boating, playground or just strolling along the beach.The water is calm and ideal...
19 members live in Albany
Q: My wife and I arriving into Albany on 15 Mar on the Rhapsody of the Seas (RCI). Does any VTér know where cruise ships are docked...
A: I don't know the answer to your question, but I think that VT member newyork40 is going on that cruise too. You could try emailing her.
Read 2 Replies
1
At the bottom of South Western Australia is the City of Albany facing the Southern Ocean. It is located 409km south of Perth and is situated on the picturesque King George Sound, a most magnificent......
2
Albany has an amazing coastIine and nature features. The highlights are the Torrindup Park is the home to the famous Natural Bridge, The Gap and the Blowholes. Not Forgetting the world famous...
3
Looking at Albany Town from Mt Melville facing east toward King George Sound. Albany was the las port of call for ANZAC troops bound for the middle east and Gallipoli in 1914.
4
Albany is the heart of Great Southern Region and was the first town settled by the Europeans in Western Australia. It is renowed for its seafood , great coastal lines,war-time monument and heritage......
5
We arrived in Albany on day 4 of our Western Australian trip, we had driven from Pemberton and with some side trips travelled 274k. The first thing we saw was a wide main street with a view of the...
Build your own Albany page
Sponsored Links
