Albany, town and port in southwestern Australia, located in the southern part of the state of Western Australia. Albany lies on the northern shore of Princess Royal Harbour of King George Sound. The sound is one of the world's best natural deepwater harbors, and Albany is the leading port of the southern coastal area. The region has a temperate summer climate which, together with one of Australia's most beautiful stretches of coast, has helped make Albany a popular tourist resort. Nearby are the rugged coastline of Torndirrup National Park, forests, farms, and sheep ranches. The town's oldest buildings include the Old Gaol, once a depot where convicts from Britain were hired, and the Old Post Office and Old Farmhouse, which were built in the early 19th century.
The Frederickstown penal colony, established on the site in 1826, was the first European settlement in Western Australia and one of the oldest settlements in the country. It was renamed Albany by 1832. In the 19th century, Albany was an important whaling base and, after 1852, a coaling station for steamships traveling to India and Britain. Albany declined in the early 20th century with the development of the port of Fremantle to the north, near Perth. Population (1996) 20,493.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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