Albany

Brief History

Albany is the oldest settlement in Western Australia and was founded on 26th December 1826 two years before Fremantle and Perth.

Upon its establishment in 1826, the Albany settlement was named Frederick Town in honour of Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany.

In 1831, the settlement was transferred to the control of the Swan River colony and renamed Albany by Lieutenant-Governer James Stirling.

Geography

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 by Albany Highway.