Albany 2021

We travelled with some friends to Albany back in 2021, for the famous Albany Classic car rally.

We took the long, scenic way down, via Darkan, where we stopped for lunch and to learn some of the local history.

In Albany we stayed in another wonderful heritage building, The Old Surrey, tucked behind Albany Senior High School (where H for Hapiness was filmed). Built in the early 1830s, when the young settlement consisted of little more than a handful of buildings overlooking Princess Royal Harbour, The Old Surrey was originally the private residence of one of Albany’s early settlers. Restored in recent years, it now welcomes visitors, offering the rare opportunity to experience a piece of Western Australia’s history while enjoying the comforts of modern accommodation.

The Mount Clarence Hill Climb is one of the highlights of the Albany Classic, where historic and modern competition cars tackle the winding roads of Mount Clarence.

One of Albany’s most unexpected treasures is the enchanting collection of chainsaw sculptures created by local artist Darrel Radcliffe. This unique open-air gallery transforms tree stumps and fallen timber into an array of animals, characters and imaginative creations, each revealing the hidden personality of the wood from which it was carved. As you follow the self-drive sculpture trail through Darrel’s bushland property at Walmsley, there is always a new face, creature or quirky character waiting to be discovered.

A visit to Strawberry Hill Farm is another chance to step into Albany’s history. Set beneath the towering canopy of ancient karri trees and surrounded by beautifully maintained, colourful gardens, the farm is home to some of the region’s oldest European heritage and offers a glimpse into the lives of those who helped shape the young colony. At its heart stands the historic cottage, initially established in 1827 as a government farm. Alexander Collie was appointed Government Resident of Albany in 1831 and moved into a wattle and daub cottage situated on the farm. He named the property Strawberry Hill after the small plot of strawberries he was cultivating.

Back in town, the streets were buzzing with activity as tradies worked hard to prepare the roads for the big race the following day — and the weather was on their side.

We stopped by the Town Hall to explore an intriguing exhibition about preppers, offering a fascinating insight into a world focused on self-sufficiency, preparedness and planning for the unexpected.

We couldn’t leave Albany without another visit to The Gap, once again awed by the power of the Southern Ocean as waves crashed dramatically against the cliffs below the viewing platform. The wind farm on the hills above the coast is another striking landmark of Albany’s rugged landscape, where towering turbines stand in contrast against the wild beauty of the surrounding coastline.

On the day of the race, we headed into town early in the morning. A beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky, almost like an omen of the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. We wandered down to the foreshore, where we watched the start of a rowing competition before the excitement of the main event began.

The cars competing in the Albany Classic got a taste of Albany’s unpredictable coastal weather, with bursts of sunshine quickly followed by passing showers. Despite the changing conditions, the excitement was undeniable as the roar of classic engines echoed through the normally sleepy town. For a day, Albany’s quiet streets were transformed into a celebration of speed, history and the unmistakable character of these beautifully preserved machines.

And that was it — time to head home. With Albany Highway packed, we took the quieter route back via Darkan, Dwellingup and Pinjarra again, enjoying one last scenic drive before the trip was over.