Albany Western Australia – Where the ANZAC legend began

On the morning of 1st November 1914, the first convoy of the Australian Imperial Force and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force departed from Albany in Western Australia to fight in First World War.














During World War I, 1914-1918, the ships that carried the ANZAC soldiers to Europe gathered at Albany . Albany was the last place in Australia that the soldiers saw and is therefore a prominent memorial, with the dedication of the Albany Anzac Peace Park and the pier of remembrance in 2010.

Australia commemorated the 100th anniversary of that departure from 31st October and 2nd November 2014 in Albany . Congratulations to the organisers for the success of such a moving event and for catering for a huge influx of visitors. Did you visit Albany for this event? Please add your perceptions of the weekend and tell about the events you participated in or watched as comments on this blog.

Located within the Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum Precinct, the National Anzac Centre was opened during the commemoration weekend.

Head up Apex Drive on Mount Clarence where the Memorial to the Light Horsemen overlooks King George Sound.














During World War II from 1942-1945 Albany served as the US Navy submarine base responsible for safeguarding the Western Australian cities between Perth and Albany .

Princess Royal Fortress Museum and ANZAC Lookout, Mount Adelaide.

With bunkers and armaments hidden high on the hill overlooking the harbour entrance, this fortress was built originally in 1893 as a strategic defence of a key part of Australia. The guns were maintained by a permanent garrison stationed at the fort from 1893 to 1956 and were never used to fire a shot in anger.














The extensive Fortress houses the Albany Barracks and the Princess Royal Battery, the Military Heritage Centre, the Ellam-Innes Collection (extensive collection of War memorabilia of the 11th Battalion and 10th Light Horse regiments), Underground Magazine, Repository Store and Caretaker's Cottage, Artillery Display, Torpedoes, HMAS Perth Interpretive Centre, World War Old Fort's Café, a Control Bunker, kiosk, barbecue and picnic area, with a number of walk trails around the bunkers and guns on the hilltop and between the hilltop and the Navel Guns display and other features.














Read more about Albany's wartime history and our other Travelogues and come touring Australia with us.