Salute to the ANZACS
On 1 November 1914, the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand troops departed for the first World War from King George Sound, Albany. In total, 41,265 service men and women departed Albany in the first and second convoy. For many who did not return, Albany was their last sight of Australian soil. A walk around Albany is like a march through Australia's military history. From the stunning National ANZAC Centre, opened in 2014 for the ANZAC centenary, to parks, piers, avenues, cemeteries and museums; Albany pays tribute to our ANZAC heritage.
National ANZAC Centre
At the National ANZAC Centre the story of the first World War is told in a deeply personal way through the individual stories of the serving men and women. Visitors assume the character of one of the 32 ANZACs and follow their personal experiences through the Great War - from embankment to life on board ship; to Gallipoli, the Middle East and the Western Front and, for some, return to Australia. Find pricing and opening hours here.
New in 2020! The National Anzac Centre and Princess Royal Fortress have had a chance for a bit of a make-over! New exhibits will open to the public on 26 September 2020 and include a restored Coastal Defensive Gun.
Ataturk Channel
In exchange for the agreement by the Turkish Government to name the beach at Gallipoli – where the Australian and New Zealand troops landed – “ANZAC Cove”, the channel leading into Princess Harbour was officially named “Ataturk Channel” after the Turkish leader.
Ataturk Memorial
A life-sized statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the President of Turkey from 1923 to 1938 and the leader of the Turkish forces at Gallipoli. See more here.
Albany Memorial Park Cemetery
A site of profound historical significance, the cemetery is the last resting place of ANZACS. The names of ANZACs are also commemorated on family headstones.
Padre White Lookout
At dawn on 25 April 1930, Padre White led parishioners to the summit of Mount Clarence near Albany to observe the laying of a commemorative wreath to the fallen, thus founding Albany's dawn service tradition. The site is widely regarded as the location of the first dawn service. See more here.
Convoy Walk and Lookout
The walk contains stunning views and sobering history. An interpretive walk and lookout atop Mount Adelaide overlooking King George Sound where the first and second convoys anchored before departure.
WA Museum
Learn about the region’s natural and social history at this informative museum. Find opening hours and exhibit information here.
Princess Royal Fortress Museum
Commissioned in 1893, the Princess Royal Fortress represents one of the first co-operative acts between the pre-federation states of Australia and is the oldest surviving military site in Western Australia. Find out more here.
St John's Anglican Church
St John’s is Padre White’s home church and Western Australia’s first consecrated church. Learn more about Padre White and the dawn service tradition here.
ANZAC Peace Park
ANZAC stories have been integrated into seats located throughout the park, providing rest points to reflect. Learn more here.
Lone Pine Grove
Lone Pine Grove is a major focus for the theme of peace within ANZAC Peace Park. It expresses a direct and living connection between Gallipoli and Albany.
Pier of Remembrance
The pier was the point of departure for thousands of troops. It is inscribed with the names of ships from the first and second convoy who took our troops to war.
Desert Mounted Corps Memorial
After the first World War, soldiers from Australia and New Zealand contributed one day’s pay to commission a monument to the fallen on the banks of Port Said in Egypt. The Desert Mounted Corps Memorial replicates this memorial and stands on the summit of Mount Clarence, home of Albany’s first dawn service. Learn more here.
Avenue of Honour
Large gum trees line the Avenue of Honour – the road to the top of Mount Clarence. At the base of each tree, plaques bear the names of soldiers lost at war. Find out more here.