Brisbane, QLD


Friday, November 4, 2011

ALBANY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Before heading into the historic town of Albany, our tour bus took us up to a lookout where there is a war memorial and a fabulous view of King George Sound.
 We could see the port where grain and timber are exported but in the past it was a much busier place.It was the first deep water port and town to be developed in WA. It serviced the goldfields and was the first port for ships to enter from Britain. Since then Fremantle has become the major port.

Albany has a long military history. At first there was a military presence to deter the French from landing. Later during the First World War it became the base from where soldiers were sent to Europe.

This was the view the soldiers said goodbye to as they sailed into war.

 At the lookout there was an array of more different wildflowers.



 It was a neat and tidy port town showing off many historic buildings.

 This old Church of St John built in 1848 was beautiful inside and out. Our travel companions, Helen and Paul are waiting for our bus to take us on another adventure.

I checked out the park garden while waiting for the bus. I had never seen these flowers before.

23 comments:

  1. Oh, Diane! Your pictures are stunning! I have so enjoyed this little interlude with you. It's raining here today and I've just sneaked in a bit of blogging time, although I should be doing a host of other things. Thank you for spiriting me away on another of your wonderful adventures :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Quite a lot of gardens around here have the flower at the bottom - very showy aren't they. There is a flower in the middle that looks like a freesia but isn't .. i have some like growing wild in my garden and on the footpath ... no fragrance so disappointing.

    Pea flowers ... lot and lots of pea flowers everywhere in Australia.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a wonderful view your third photos shows.
    The old stone church is lovely. I'm a sucker for stone any kind of stone building.
    That last photo is gorgeous Diane!
    Love the blurred background.

    ReplyDelete
  4. beautiful flowers, i like the drooping tree and love that old church.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The photo with the church almost looks in UK. All the flowers are stunning. I always thought it was to hot in Australia to have flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful pictures. This church looks very "English" !
    We have 28° today and are tired, lol !

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks like a nice church.

    Greetings,
    Filip

    ReplyDelete
  8. Move over "National Geographic", Diane is taking over. Well done Diane. Historical facts intertwined with the geographic, fauna and flora!
    I have been told that Albany is one of the really most interesting "little" country cities in Australia - has quite a history and the residents are very civic minded and take great pride in their "city".
    See you for "choo choo" tomorrow, hope the weather stays fine and sunny.
    Colin (HB)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful views over the water. It looks a lovely place.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous, Diane... Looks like a fabulous place to visit. I need to go back (when I can) and catch up on your blog and all of the beauty!!!!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your pictures from the overlook are beautiful. That view is amazing. I also like that church. We saw a similar-looking church in Antigua.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It looks like a lovely town. I love that old stone church. (Everywhere I go, I have to stop and admire the old churches... just something about them that speaks to me.) What a pretty sound. Your pictures really make me want to visit Australia.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Tonight is Guy Fawkes, and I didn't know you in Oz don't know Guy Fawkes.

    Shall go and take some photos for you

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am enjoying the trip around Australia

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your photos are stunning, the colours are amazing. Tinged with a little sadness as I thought of the young men who didnt return to see that beautiful view. xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Looking at your blog is a bit like travelling:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love seeing the beautiful flowers...and the church too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I did not realise that troops departed from Albany for the western front. There are memorials and canon all around our coastline to keeo out those pesky 'froggies'.

    ReplyDelete
  19. That is a beautiful view in your first shot. I really like the quaint little church and it's lovely garden. I believe your mystery flower is a Blazing Star.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wonderful Diane,
    You have improved greatly with your photography :)
    I too do like that church and to think it was built before my ancestors came out from Ireland.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Makes me think how filled with life, history and beauty this whole world is and such a pity so many of us will never get to see all of it. Thanks to you we get to see so much, and I love that last flower even tho I have no idea what it is either.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Absolutely fantastic! I love 'traveling' with you Diane.

    ReplyDelete
  23. So beautiful. Thanks for this view while I am in hospital.

    Kat

    ReplyDelete