20 February – around Albany



Breakfast at Three Anchors this morning. Servings were huge! Well at least it will keep us going for the rest of the day!

Today we headed for the Historic Whaling Station around the other side of Princess Royal Harbour. Only about a half hour drive, the whaling station is located right at the end of the peninsula in a sheltered spot which was ideal for the operation of the whale processing business. The business closed in 1978 and it is now a museum which gives a very thorough insight into what life was like for a whaler.

There is also a wildlife centre and botanic garden on the sight too. I investigated these while Ian investigated the whaling ship which is one of many that used to work the trade.

Our day continued with visits to the Salmon Ponds, Blowholes and the Gap and Natural Arch. All of these were sights within the Torndirrup National Park which traverses the ridge along which we drove to get to the Whaling Station.

Our final stop was to the Wind Farm. This is located outside the National Park back towards Albany. It was commissioned in the early 1980s and came on line in 2001. While the Eastern States are haggling over renewable energy, a small town like Albany has managed to live with energy from wind for nearly 20 years! The wind farm has the capacity to produce 80% of the electricity requirements of the town.

All in all a great day.



A large personal shell collection has been donated to the whaling museum

One of the last sperm whales to be killed

Different whale species


No he's not dead .....

... here he is in a better pose

On a hot day it's important for this albino kangaroo to seek shelter


Hard to capture these wrens flitting around in the bushes

It's a beautiful, rugged coastline

The Salmon Ponds

One of the last whalers 

Walkway down to the blowholes

Natural Arch


The Gap
Looking across to where the Natural Arch is located






Returning to Albany we passed the Brig Amity


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