Albany Region Western Australia

• Report rights infringement
• published: 12 Oct 2009
• views: 4788

Albany was the first established European settlement in Western Australia (formerly known as Fredericks Town) and is now one of the largest cities outside of Perth with a population of over 34,000. A thriving City, seaport and the administrative hub for the region. Albany is Western Australias premier regional city. Perched on the states southern tip, it is a city of beauty and opportunity. Waterfront construction at Princess Royal Harbour, one of the world's most stunning natural harbours, is set to become one of the most significant development projects in the towns long history. The Albany Town Hall, opened in 1888, an iconic building of the main street. The grand old stone building, with its four-faced clock tower, is a comfortable 310-seat theatre with a full concert sound and quality theatre lighting. St John's Church is the oldest church to be consecrated in Western Australia, construction began in 1841 and The Rectory in 1850 with the upper floor added in 1875. The graciousness and old world charm of the Stirling Terrace area of town can be directly attributed to the goldrushes of the 1890s, which saw thousands of prospectors pouring into Western Australia through Albany, making their way to the rich fields of the Kalgoorlie region. The footbridge, built in 2007, allows easy access to the new Albany Waterfront which will include a new boat harbour, entertainment centre and much more. The Old Post and Customs office, now the University of WA opened in 1870. It is recognised as the oldest Post Office in Western Australia. At the time of construction it housed a number of colonial authorities including the District Customs, the Mail Room, the Customs Office and the Bond Store. The Eclipse building houses the prism and other memorabilia from the lighthouse on Eclipse Island. The WA Museum includes the Brig Amity, a full scale replica of the original vessel which brought the first settlers and convicts to Albany in 1826. At the museum you can also see many other historic artifacts and information. The old convict Gaol, built in 1872, serves as a museum and is a useful starting point for those interested in the history of the region. The restorations to the gaol have left the period features carefully preserved. Launched in 1986, Leeuwin II regularly visits Albany and is Australia's largest ocean-going tall ship; its dedicated to challenging and inspiring people on adventurous ocean voyages. Named Dog Rock because, of its likeness to the head of a bloodhound sniffing the air. Hidden away in Albany's suburbia is The Old Farm at Strawberry Hill. The old farm, the oldest in Western Australia and it was the government farm for the settlement of Albany. In 1889 Francis Bird, a successful architect, purchased 'Strawberry Hill' and extensive renovations were carried out. It was renamed 'The Old Farm' in 1890 in memory of the pioneers who founded it, and again became an important venue for social functions of the time.