Albany is historically the oldest town in the state of Western Australia. Originally named Frederickstown but changed to Albany several years later, the town was settled in 1826, three years before the state's capital, Perth. It was not of course, the first time this harbour and coastline had been explored. 200 years before this Dutch, French, Spanish and English ships had all ventured into the area, but found it dreary and sandy and therefore of no value to their countries. It was only a rumour that the French were considering a penal colony that prompted the English to create a settlement here. This was mostly for strategic reasons, to prevent the French from causing problems with the English ships that were currently sailing close by enroute to Sydney.

The New Settlement: Headed up by Major Edmund Lockyer, the settlement party of 75 arrived aboard the Brig Amity near where the Amity replica is today. They arrived on Boxing Day with enough provisions for six months. The settlement party was made up of convicts, soldiers, officers, a surgeon and a storeman and numerous animals. The convicts had been selected with their skills in mind, and the 8 unskilled convicts were labourers.

Development: Initially, progress was slow, heralded by the establishment in 1829 of Western Australia's first vegetable garden at The Old Farm at Strawberry Hill, which you can visit today on Middleton Road. Further exploration further inland resulted in finding fine grazing land, and extensive agricultural and sheep grazing efforts ensued. The Goldrush boom also created interest in the port, with many migrants landing here on their way to the Goldfields. Many came back disillusioned and set up farming plots in the Great Southern. By 1900 Fremantle Port was born and the boom was over, only to be somewhat revived after World War Two. A scheme was initiated to settle ex-servicemen on the land, called the Land Settlement Scheme. . As the population expanded, so did the infrastructure to support the agricultural industry and the growing requirements of the people. You will find this very evident in the fabulous shopping and services that Albany offers today.

PLACES OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

The Brig Amity: Replica of the brig which brought the first settlers to Albany. Replica was built in 1975. On Princess Royal Drive. Entry only a couple of dollars.

The Old Farm at Strawberry Hill: Site of first vegetable garden in Western Australia, house built in 1836. On Middleton Road.

Mt Clarence Lookout: Desert Corps Memorial. Horse and rider statue erected in Egypt in 1932 to commemorate the role of the ANZAC Corp in the Middle East during World War One. Was damaged beyond repair in the Suez Crisis in 1956. The granite base was dismantled and brought to Albany, and the horse and rider were replicated to perfection. If you look closely, you can still see the bullet holes in the granite base.

The Forts: Built to protect King George Sound in 1891, and used in both World Wars. Restored in 1988.

Town Hall: Built in 1886 from local granite.

St John's Church: Built in 1840, St John's is the first consecrated church in the state.

The Old Post Office: Built in 1868, with the clocktower completed in 1896.

Courthouse: Built in 1896, with very interesting rounded front corner.

The Old Goal: Currently a museum, originally built in 1851. Museums also of interest are Residency Museum, Whaleworld Museum and Patrick Taylor Cottage.

Hillside: Contructed in 1886 for the pioneer family, Hassell.

The first European to discover Denmark was Sir Thomas Braidwood Wilson in 1829. He wrote of beautiful views and massive trees growing in fertile soil. He discovered Denmark River which he named in honor of a friend in England, Dr Alexander Denmark. Two years later, the mouth of the Denmark River was named in his honour, Wilson Inlet.

Development: Little happened in Denmark until 1896 when demand for timber from the goldfields and overseas saw many timber mills spring up. The huge karri trees were ideal for milling, some was even sent to London to pave sidewalks. After a period of time, the timber trade became unsustainable and Denmark was quiet from 1910-1960 until timber made a comeback but on a smaller scale with tree planting taking the place of milled trees. Commercial fishing, farming and tourism keeps the town thriving today.

PLACES OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

Heritage Trails: Both the Inlet Heritage Trail and the Mokare Trail offer historical information.

The Stirling Ranges were formed 540-590 million years ago when Australia separated from Antarctica. During this time when "Gondwanaland" became the continents we know today, the south west portion of Western Australia twisted sideways and the compression this caused has resulted in these ranges. It is well known that at one stage the Stirling Ranges were part of the sea floor, and rocks with ripples can be found on top of many of the peaks. The Stirling Range was named after Captain James Stirling, who settled the city of Perth in 1829.The majority of peaks have retained their Aboriginal names such as Talyuberlup and Toolbrunup and the rest have been named after important people of the time (Ellen's Peak, Mt Hassell). The peaks were declared a National Park in 1913, so development around them has been limited, however farming around this area led to the towns of Borden, Cranbrook, Ongerup and Gnowangerup being established. These days, the Stirlings attract thousands of visitors who admire, hike, climb and abseil these spectacular mountains. They are composed of sandstone, slate and quartzite, very different to the Porongurup Ranges, which are only 30km away. Chester Pass Road and Red Gum Pass follow ancient river paths. Due to the high mountain peaks, the climate is totally unique and there are some species of plantlife that the Stirlings are proud to be the only place in the world in which they exist.

Another ancient rock formation, but composed mostly of grantite and very different to the Stirling Ranges. It has lush Karri forest and the peaks are a lot smaller, and has a real tranquil world of it's own. The Ranges takes it's name from the Aboriginal name "Purrengorep" meaning a "meeting place near water." The Porongurup Ranges were formed in the Pre Cambriam Period, about 1,100 million years ago, which makes them twice as old as the Stirling Ranges. In fact 55 million years ago, these ranges were an island surrounded by sea which has now receded back as far as the south coast we now know. The unique climate of these ranges has led to many successful vineyards which enjoy the longer rainy periods and balmy summers that enable the fruit an extended maturation period. The Porongurups have a climate, atmosphere and beauty that is all their own.

Information compiled and photographs taken by Shelley Sypko of Cloud Nine Spa Chalets. Click here to send Cloud Nine an email.