Day 103. Fremantle to Albany. 22/08/2015

Up early today for a quick getaway. Farewelled Don and Heather firstly as they departed to Wave Rock, then Rod and Jude as it will most likely be the last time we see them for the rest of the journey. We have had a great time and shared some wonderful experiences with them. I imagine when we meet up again at home we will all have so much to reminisce about.

We headed off towards the Great Southern Highway through the township of Armadale, a very pretty area that reminded us of the Dandenongs. The landscape further on was very lush and we started to pass farming properties that had small creeks that were flowing because of all the rain in recent days. Some rolling hills that were being farmed with crops of wheat and canola and some huge flocks of sheep, acres and acres of them.
After we passed through Mt. Barker we came across a number of vineyards and we also started to see more cattle stations and a few horse studs. 

We had a short stop for lunch before continuing on to Albany arriving about 3.15 p.m. and realised that we had to set up quickly because we wanted to visit the National Anzac Centre.

The Centre was a short drive from the caravan park so we were able to get started on the tour very quickly. The National Anzac Centre is Australia’s foremost museum dedicated solely to honouring the Anzacs of the First World World.  

It is set within Albany Heritage Park and houses interactive multimedia displays, unique artefacts, rare images and film and audio commentary. Surrounding the Centre are historic buildings and displays of the Princess Royal Fortress. After spending considerable time in the centre enjoying the displays, films and audio commentary we then walked up the pathway towards the Convoy Lookout that had displays depicting each of the ships that carried troops, horses and armaments to the battlefields in the Great War in 1914.  

The Lookout had amazing views of Princes Royal Harbour and Ataturk Entrance. The Fortress contained gun emplacements of 6 inch breach loading guns that had been there since 1893 for coastal defence. We then drove through the Avenue of Honour to Mt. Clarence to view the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial.  

A short drive back into town to drive around the heritage area of Albany and view the beautiful old town buildings, gardens and houses before returning to camp for dinner, some football and T.V. then bed.

We have decided that because we are cutting short our time here to head home earlier we must return to spend some more time in the area as it has so much to offer.

The National AnzacCentre at Albany.

Volunteers line up with their papers - Looks like a young Jimmy Boyd in front.

History on the first Anzac Convoy of the 38 troopships that left Albany for the battlefields of Turkey.

Some details on the Turkish landing. 

Three years later a scent of victory.

11th November  1918 peace.

A beautiful bronze statue of a Light-horseman giving his horse a well earned drink. 

The display of the numerous ships that formed the first convoy that departed for Turkey.

The Convoy Lookout.

Some history on the Princess Royal Battery.

A gun emplacement constructed in 1893 for coastal defence.

A view form Convoy Lookout.

A view from the Lookout to Ataturk Entrance.

The Lone Pine at Mount Clarence.

Some history of the "Lone Pine"

Yes.