Albany Kinjarling (Noongar) | |
|---|---|
 York Street in Albany | |
  Albany | |
Coordinates:35°01′22″S117°52′53″E / 35.022778°S 117.881389°E /-35.022778; 117.881389 (Albany) | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Western Australia |
| LGA | |
| Location | |
| Established | 26 December 1826 |
| Government | |
| • State electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Area [3] (2011 urban) | |
• Total | 297.2 km2 (114.7 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 35,053 (2021)[2] (44th) |
| • Density | 117.944/km2 (305.47/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (AWST) |
| Postcode | 6330 |
| Mean max temp | 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) |
| Mean min temp | 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) |
| Annual rainfall | 929.6 mm (36.60 in) |
Albany (/ˈælbəni/AL-bən-ee;[a][4]Noongar:Kinjarling) is aportcity in theGreat Southern region in the Australian state ofWestern Australia, 418 kilometres (260 mi) southeast ofPerth, the state capital. The city centre is at the northern edge ofPrincess Royal Harbour, which is a part ofKing George Sound. The central business district is bounded byMount Clarence to the east and Mount Melville to the west. The city is in thelocal government area of theCity of Albany. While it is the oldest colonial, although not British,[b] settlement in Western Australia – predating Perth andFremantle by over two years – it was asemi-exclave of theColony of New South Wales for over four years until it was made part of theSwan River Colony.
The settlement was founded on 26 December 1826 as a military outpost of New South Wales for the purpose of forestalling French ambitions in the region.[5]: 61 To that end, on 21 January 1827, the commander of the outpost, MajorEdmund Lockyer, formally took possession for theBritish Crown of the portion ofNew Holland not yet claimed by the Crown; that is, the portion west of the129th meridian east, with the portion east already being claimed collectively by the Crown as New South Wales andVan Diemen's Land.[6] During the last decade of the 19th century, the town served as a gateway to theEastern Goldfields. For many years, it was the colony's only deep-water port, having a place of eminence on shipping services between Britain and its Australian colonies. The opening of theFremantle Inner Harbour in 1897,[7]: 51–55 however, saw its importance as a port decline, after which the town's industries turned primarily to agriculture, timber and later,whaling.
Contemporary Albany is the southern terminus for tourism in theregion, and the state's south west,[8] which is known for its natural environment and preservation of its heritage. The town has a role in theANZAC legend, being the last port of call for troopships departing Australia in the First World War. On 1 November 2014, the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers opened the National Anzac Centre in Mount Clarence, Albany, to commemorate 100 years since the first ANZAC troops departed from King George Sound. Approximately 40,000 people attended the commemoration events held between 30 October and 2 November 2014.[9]
Anauxiliary submarine base for theUS Navy's 7th Fleet was developed during the Second World War in the event the submarine base at Fremantle was lost. Also in the harbour was aRoyal Australian Navy naval installation which provided for refuelling from four 5,100-tonne (5,000-long-ton) fuel tanks.[10]: 26
Upon its establishment in 1826, the settlement was namedFrederick Town in honour ofPrince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany.[11][12][13] In 1831, the settlement was transferred to the control of theSwan River Colony and renamed Albany byLieutenant-Governor James Stirling.[14]: 55–115
The name of the area in theNoongar language of the localMenang people isKinjarling, which has been said to mean "place of plenty" and "place of rain".[15][16][17] In 2020, the City of Albany began, as part of an official dual-naming project, to give prominence toKinjarling as the city's Aboriginal name.[15]
Kinjarling was home to MenangNoongar tribes during the summer season.[18] Early British explorers recorded evidence of fish traps located on Emu Point and on the French, now theKalgan, River.Vancouver made attempts to find the inhabitants of the area but only found bark dwellings that were unoccupied. Later explorers made contact and were told to leave, but were accepted when they did not. Most of the British exploration was undertaken to survey the land and sea to assess the profitability of resources. The explorers occasionally noted encounters with Noongars.Native treatment laws and programs have affected the tribes sincesettlement.[19]
There are a number of heritage buildings in Albany; seeList of heritage places in the City of Albany andCategory:Heritage places in Albany, Western Australia. These include:
Some of the above information is derived from the State Heritage Register[23] where these places are registered. The assessment criteria contain more details.
As of the2021 census, the urban population of Albany was 35,053[2] making it the state's sixth-largest population centre.[24]
The city centre of Albany is located between the hills of Mount Melville and Mount Clarence, which look down into Princess Royal Harbour. Many beaches surround Albany, with Middleton Beach being the closest to the town centre. Other popular beaches include Frenchman Bay and Muttonbird Island.
Albany is 418 km (260 mi) SSE of the state capital,Perth, to which it is linked byAlbany Highway.
Albany is a sub-region of theGreat Southern region of Western Australia.[25]
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The Albany coastline is notorious for deaths due toking waves washing people off rocks. TheTorndirrup National Park features some of the more rugged coastline in the area. However, there are many beaches that are safe and usable.
Betty's Beach was named after Betty Jones, who used to go camping there with her family, and was initially called Betty's Bay.[26]
Frenchman Bay Beach is adjacent to the Torndirrup National Park, and was originally called Quarantine Bay, owing to thequarantine station set up by the British in 1826 on Mistaken Island at the northern end of Goode Beach.[27]
Misery Beach, located 20 km (12 mi) south of Albany, was so named owing to the location of thewhaling station at Albany that operated until 1978, causing offal to be washed ashore at Misery Beach and its sand and waters to be stained red. However, the beach was named Tourism Australia Best Beach 2022 byTourism Australia, described a "[ticking] all the boxes of what the typical beachgoer is looking for — uncrowded, crystal-white sand, turquoise waters and a very dramatic granite backdrop".[28]
Other beaches include:
Albany has awarm-summer Mediterranean climate (KöppenCsb) with dry, warm summers, mild, wet winters, and pleasant springs and autumns.[29]: 5 Summers have short spells of very hot weather, but cool ocean breeze brings relief, especially during evenings and nights. The city is situated on what is promoted as the "Rainbow Coast", an appropriate title given the frequency of days with both sun and drizzle or showers. Albany has 44.8 clear days annually, just slightly lower thanMelbourne's 48.6 days.
July is the wettest month, with a long-term average of 144 mm (5.67 in). Rain in excess of 0.2 mm (0.01 in) occurs on two days out of every three during an average winter. The driest month is February with a mean of 22.9 mm (0.90 in).
Albany received a record amount of rain on 20 November 2008 when violent storms swept across the Great Southern region. The town was flooded after 113.8 mm (4.48 in) of rain fell in a 24-hour period, the highest amount recorded since rainfall records began in 1877.[30] The wettest month on record was June 1920 when 292.8 mm (11.5 in) fell, while February 1877 and February 1879 remain the only rainless months.
| Climate data for Albany (35°02′S117°53′E / 35.03°S 117.88°E /-35.03; 117.88), 1991–2020, extremes since 1907 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 41.7 (107.1) | 44.8 (112.6) | 40.8 (105.4) | 37.7 (99.9) | 35.2 (95.4) | 24.6 (76.3) | 23.3 (73.9) | 27.3 (81.1) | 30.6 (87.1) | 36.2 (97.2) | 41.1 (106.0) | 42.2 (108.0) | 44.8 (112.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 22.6 (72.7) | 22.9 (73.2) | 22.6 (72.7) | 21.2 (70.2) | 19.5 (67.1) | 17.7 (63.9) | 16.7 (62.1) | 17.1 (62.8) | 17.8 (64.0) | 18.9 (66.0) | 20.3 (68.5) | 21.4 (70.5) | 19.9 (67.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 16.3 (61.3) | 17.0 (62.6) | 16.0 (60.8) | 13.9 (57.0) | 11.6 (52.9) | 10.0 (50.0) | 9.1 (48.4) | 9.3 (48.7) | 10.0 (50.0) | 11.9 (53.4) | 13.4 (56.1) | 14.8 (58.6) | 12.8 (55.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 7.8 (46.0) | 7.2 (45.0) | 6.1 (43.0) | 4.8 (40.6) | 2.4 (36.3) | 1.7 (35.1) | 0.1 (32.2) | 1.6 (34.9) | 2.0 (35.6) | 3.4 (38.1) | 5.6 (42.1) | 6.7 (44.1) | 0.1 (32.2) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 20.3 (0.80) | 19.3 (0.76) | 39.5 (1.56) | 58.8 (2.31) | 87.2 (3.43) | 123.3 (4.85) | 128.5 (5.06) | 129.6 (5.10) | 105.2 (4.14) | 62.7 (2.47) | 51.3 (2.02) | 31.7 (1.25) | 857.4 (33.75) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1 mm) | 4.2 | 3.8 | 6.7 | 9.3 | 12.2 | 14.6 | 16.4 | 16.3 | 14.2 | 10.2 | 7.7 | 5.6 | 121.2 |
| Source:Bureau of Meteorology[31][32] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data forAlbany Airport | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 45.6 (114.1) | 44.0 (111.2) | 41.2 (106.2) | 38.8 (101.8) | 32.6 (90.7) | 24.8 (76.6) | 22.5 (72.5) | 26.2 (79.2) | 27.9 (82.2) | 33.6 (92.5) | 39.2 (102.6) | 42.8 (109.0) | 45.6 (114.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 24.8 (76.6) | 24.9 (76.8) | 24.1 (75.4) | 21.9 (71.4) | 19.0 (66.2) | 16.7 (62.1) | 15.8 (60.4) | 16.2 (61.2) | 17.3 (63.1) | 18.8 (65.8) | 20.9 (69.6) | 23.1 (73.6) | 20.3 (68.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 13.7 (56.7) | 14.5 (58.1) | 13.4 (56.1) | 11.7 (53.1) | 9.8 (49.6) | 8.1 (46.6) | 7.5 (45.5) | 7.5 (45.5) | 8.1 (46.6) | 9.2 (48.6) | 10.8 (51.4) | 12.5 (54.5) | 10.6 (51.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 4.8 (40.6) | 5.1 (41.2) | 4.3 (39.7) | 3.2 (37.8) | 1.9 (35.4) | 0.0 (32.0) | −0.2 (31.6) | 0.8 (33.4) | 0.7 (33.3) | 1.0 (33.8) | 2.7 (36.9) | 3.6 (38.5) | −0.2 (31.6) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 23.6 (0.93) | 22.3 (0.88) | 33.6 (1.32) | 61.3 (2.41) | 89.8 (3.54) | 108.0 (4.25) | 119.3 (4.70) | 106.8 (4.20) | 88.5 (3.48) | 70.8 (2.79) | 47.0 (1.85) | 27.8 (1.09) | 798.1 (31.42) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1mm) | 2.8 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 6.3 | 8.2 | 9.9 | 11.1 | 10.9 | 9.9 | 8.0 | 5.7 | 3.7 | 83.1 |
| Average afternoonrelative humidity (%)(at 3 pm) | 55 | 56 | 58 | 61 | 64 | 68 | 68 | 66 | 65 | 65 | 63 | 57 | 62 |
| Averagedew point °C (°F) | 12.4 (54.3) | 12.9 (55.2) | 12.5 (54.5) | 11.6 (52.9) | 10.3 (50.5) | 9.2 (48.6) | 8.3 (46.9) | 8.0 (46.4) | 8.8 (47.8) | 9.9 (49.8) | 11.1 (52.0) | 11.7 (53.1) | 10.6 (51.0) |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 251.1 | 209.1 | 204.6 | 186.0 | 167.4 | 153.0 | 170.5 | 189.1 | 189.0 | 210.8 | 222.0 | 244.9 | 2,397.5 |
| Source: Bureau of Meteorology (dew point at 3 pm)[33] | |||||||||||||
Albany's main industries are tourism, fishing, timber (wood chips) and agriculture. From 1952 to 1978whaling was a major source of income and employment for the local population.
The Whaling Station, which closed operations in 1978 following a major conservation campaign, has been converted to a museum of whaling and features one of the 'Cheynes' whale chasers that were used for whaling in Albany.[34] The station was the last operating land based whaling station in the southern hemisphere and the English-speaking world at the time of closure.[35]
TheWestern Power Wind Farm is located at Sand Patch, to the west of Albany. The wind farm, originally commissioned in 2001 with 12 turbines, now has 18 turbines, driven by strong southerly winds, and can generate up to 80%[36] of the city's electricity usage.[37]
Albany has a number of historical sites including the Museum,Albany Convict Gaol, The Princess Royal Fortress (commonly known as The Forts) and Patrick Taylor Cottage, one of the oldest dwellings in Western Australia,c. 1832.[38] Albany has a great deal of historical significance to Western Australia.
Natural sights along the rugged coastline include the 'Natural Bridge' and the 'Gap'. The beaches have pristine white sand. The destroyerHMAS Perth was sunk inKing George Sound in 2001 as adive wreck.[39] Albany is also close to two low mountain ranges, thePorongurups andStirling Ranges.
Albany is the southern terminus of theBibbulmun Track walking trail.[40]
Albany is the southern terminus of theMunda Biddi Trail off-road cycling trail.[41]
Albany is home toHMASAlbany (based in Darwin) and the adopted home port of the Royal Australian Navy frigateHMAS Anzac. Albany is frequently visited by other warships.
Albany has a city bus service run bySwan Transit under theTransAlbany brand with five town routes. Albany is connected to Perth with road-coach services viaWalpole andBunbury; viaKatanning andNortham; viaKojonup andWilliams.Transwa coaches also serveJerramungup,Ravensthorpe andHopetoun.[42]
Rex Airlines, a national independent regional airline, provides 23 services a week betweenPerth andAlbany Airport using 34-passengerturbopropSaab 340 aircraft.[43][44]
Albany was served by theAlbany Progress passenger train fromPerth until 1978. Therailway station reopened as a tourist information centre in 1994.[45]
Albany radio stations include locally owned broadcaster GOLD MX as well as national broadcasters 783 Triple M (formerly 6VA andRadioWest),Vision FM, HitFM (formerlyHOT FM),ABC Great Southern,ABC News,ABC Radio National,ABC Classic FM,Triple J, & Great Southern FM.
Below is a table showing the broadcast frequencies on which these services can be received.
| Service | Broadcast frequency |
|---|---|
| ABC Local Radio | 630 kHz AM |
| 783 Triple M | 783 kHz AM |
| GOLD MX | 1611 kHz AM |
| Vision FM (Local) | 87.6 MHz FM |
| ABC News | 92.1 MHz FM |
| Triple J | 92.9 MHz FM |
| Vision FM | 93.7 MHz FM |
| ABC Classic FM | 94.5 MHz FM |
| HitFM | 95.3 MHz FM |
| ABC Radio National | 96.9 MHz FM |
| Great Southern FM | 100.9 MHz FM |
| HitFM (Local) | 106.5 MHz FM |
Localised television stations available in Albany includeGWN7 (now Seven Regional),WIN Television Western Australia,West Digital Television,SBS Television andABC Television Western Australia. Seven (formerly GWN7) broadcasts a half-hour local news program for regional WA,Seven News Regional WA (formerlyGWN7 News) at 5:30pm on weeknights with a district newsroom covering Albany and surrounding areas based in the city.
Below is a table showing the full suite of digital television services available in Albany.These services are broadcast from Mount Clarence and cover the majority of the geographic area with some areas requiring a signal to be received from the Southern Agricultural site at Mount Barker. Both these transmission sites employ vertical polarity. Furthermore, a number of residents rely on receiving these services via satellite using theViewer Access Satellite Television system.
| LCN | Channel Name | Broadcast Ch. No. | Broadcast frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ABC TV | UHF 43 | 634.5 MHz |
| 3 | SBS | UHF 41 | 620.5 MHz |
| 5 | 10 HD | UHF 44 | 641.5 MHz |
| 6 | 7HD Regional WA | UHF 45 | 648.5 MHz |
| 8 | 9HD | UHF 42 | 627.5 MHz |
| 20 | ABC HD | UHF 43 | 634.5 MHz |
| 21 | ABC TV | UHF 43 | 634.5 MHz |
| 22 | ABC Family/KIDS | UHF 43 | 634.5 MHz |
| 23 | ABC Entertains | UHF 43 | 634.5 MHz |
| 24 | ABC NEWS | UHF 43 | 634.5 MHz |
| 30 | SBS HD | UHF 41 | 620.5 MHz |
| 31 | SBS VICELAND | UHF 41 | 620.5 MHz |
| 32 | SBS WORLD MOVIES | UHF 41 | 620.5 MHz |
| 33 | SBS FOOD | UHF 41 | 620.5 MHz |
| 34 | NITV HD | UHF 41 | 620.5 MHz |
| 35 | SBS WORLD WATCH | UHF 41 | 620.5 MHz |
| 36 | NITV | UHF 41 | 620.5 MHz |
| 50 | 10 Drama | UHF 44 | 641.5 MHz |
| 55 | 10 Comedy | UHF 44 | 641.5 MHz |
| 62 | 7two Regional WA | UHF 45 | 648.5 MHz |
| 64 | 7mateHD Regional WA | UHF 45 | 648.5 MHz |
| 67 | TVSN | UHF 45 | 648.5 MHz |
| 68 | RACING.COM | UHF 45 | 648.5 MHz |
| 80 | 9HD | UHF 42 | 627.5 MHz |
| 81 | 9Gem | UHF 42 | 627.5 MHz |
| 82 | 9Go! | UHF 42 | 627.5 MHz |
| 84 | New Channel coming soon | UHF 42 | 627.5 MHz |
| 85 | 9Life | UHF 42 | 627.5 MHz |
Local newspapers are theAlbany Advertiser (established 1888) andThe Extra (owned bySeven West Media Limited, publishers ofThe West Australian). Local radio station GOLD MX is owned by local independent broadcaster Barricades Media.
Two of Albany's major sports facilities areCollingwood Park Stadium inCollingwood Park and Centennial Oval inCentennial Park.[46] Collingwood Park is home toNorth Albany Football Club[46] while Centennial Oval is home toRoyals Football Club.[47]
Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre is the home of Albany Basketball Association.[48] TheRainbow Coast Raiders of theState Basketball League played at the Albany Sports Centre (33 Barker Road) between 1989 and 1999.[49] 33 Barker Road later became the home of Albany Indoor Beach Volleyball.[50]
Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre hosted theAustralian Boomers in a game againstChina in June 2012.[51]
Albany Sea Dragons are the regions onlyrugby league club who partake in inter-regional WA competitions run by theNRL WA.[52]
There are currently several primary schools, eight high schools and one university campus in the Albany area.
Albany travel guide from Wikivoyage
Texts on Wikisource:| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
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