2012, October 13 - Exploring Albany (day 2)

Trip Meter Reading Start –  8305

Trip Meter Reading Finish –   8408(103 kms)


Luke with the skeleton of a blue whale at the
Albany Whaling Station which closed in 1978

Accommodation
Free camp at Cosy Corner (East) is 38 km east of Denmark and 30 km west of Albany – take the tourist drive south from Denmark.  Beautiful shady campsites behind the vegetated dunes of Torbay Bay.  The camp has a dump point and clean toilets – you could get water from Cosy Corner (West) where they have beach showers (not potable or suitable for drinking)

Comments – Luke
Today we went to Albany again and went to Whale World which is a big centre on whales.  We went aboard a big whaling ship and saw how they lived it was very interesting.  We also saw where they used to cup up the whales and saw pictures it was very grucom.  After that we saw skeletons of whales they were huge one was a skeleton of a blue whale and was 80 feet but can get 102 feet the size of a jumbo jet and weight of 30 ellephants.  We then watched 4 different movies about whales.  We then headed back to camp and the Italian man and French girl came over and cooked and we taught them how to play UNO.


A family of eight lived in this 2 room house at the Albany whaling station

Comments – Mum and Dad
Today was forecast for winds and showers.  Given this we decided to do the family attraction of Whaleworld - $59 per family. We spent a good 4 hours here exploring the old whaling station.  On the hour a tour guide takes you through and explains the whaling processes and equipment.  It was very interesting to know that this was the last station to be closed in Australia in 1978.  Apparently Malcolm Fraser’s daughter was fond of whales so he declared no more whaling in Australia.


A picture of the gian squid taken from the belly of a Sperm Whale

For families this is a very educational experience for children of school age but adults can learn alot too.  The skeletons are dinosaur huge and we were in awe at how big these creatures actually got to.

Leaving whale world in the rain and wind drove back into Albany for a free hot shower at Patrick Cottage, Duke Street, Albany

Free hot showers are available here! Unbelievable.