Princess Royal Fortress
Explore Australia's first pre-federation defences for free, located right alongside Albany's National Anzac Centre
The National Anzac Centre
Experience the Anzac Legend at Albany's award winning National Anzac Centre, situated within the Princess Royal Fortress.
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Assume the identity of an actual service man or woman, and follow their experience of the Great War.
Their stories start at recruitment and continue through training and embarking, life on the convoys and the conflicts at Gallipoli, the middle east and the Western Front.
Keep an eye out to see if there is a display dedicated to your character in the National Anzac Centre. At the end of your journey through the Centre, discover the fate of your character. For those lucky enough to survive, read about their return home and the difficulties they faced adjusting back into normal society.
Opening Hours:
The National Anzac Centre is open 7 days a week, from 9:00am to 5:00pm (with last entry to the Centre at 4:00pm).
The National Anzac Centre is open during all public holidays, with the only exception being Christmas Day.
Princess Royal Fortress
The National Anzac Centre is located within the grounds of the heritage listed Princess Royal Fortress, one of only two
pre-federation fortresses built to protect intercontinental trade routes.
At the time all main-land Australian colonies contributed to the cost, demonstrating rare pre-federation cooperation between the colonies.
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The convoys which left King George Sound as interpreted within the National Anzac Centre chose Albany as a place to gather due to the defences and protection the Fortress was able to provide the fleet. If it was not for the Princess Royal Fortress, the convoys would never have gathered in such numbers in one position.
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Wander the grounds of the Fortress and experience what it was like to protect Australia’s shores at times of war. Explore original gun batteries, large coastal gun defences and the barracks where officers lived and worked.
Timeline of events at Princess Royal Fortress
The Forts Store
Located in what was once the Military Institute at the Princess Royal Fortress, the Forts Store is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Sunday.
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The Forts Store boasts great value giftware, memorabilia, military themed toys and the best collection of military fiction and non fiction books you'll find in WA.
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We also now have an online store for all your shopping needs!
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Head to www.thefortsstore.com.au to browse our unique products.
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Debbie and the team look forward to seeing you soon.
Dining & Public Amenities
Garrison Restaurant & Bar
The Princess Royal Fortress is also host to Garrison Restaurant and Bar. Enjoy the best view in Albany while enjoying world-class fine dining. Find out when they're open, book a table or order takeaway from Garrison's website.
Public Amenities
The Princess Royal Fortress has a number of facilities to make your experience comfortable.
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A water fountain is available outside the Forts Store to fill up your waterbottle. We encourage you to bring a waterbottle on your visit to the National Anzac Centre and Princess Royal Fortress to reduce waste in our environment.
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Picnic tables and barbecues are available in a covered shelter at the rear of The Forts Store all year around. Please bring your own cooking utensils and clean up the facilities after use.
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Toilets are available in the National Anzac Centre or in an ablution block between The Forts Store and Main Barracks Gallery. Toilets are also available in the carpark of the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial on Mt Clarence.
Disability Access and Inclusion
National Anzac Centre
The National Anzac Centre works to be accessible for people living with impairments and disabilities. We have the following facilities available to make your visit as comfortable and hassle-free as possible.
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We accept the Companion Card
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Information provided in an audio format
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Step free outdoor pathways,
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Step free entrance to the National Anzac Centre and no interior steps
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Wheelchair accessible toilet and change room
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Wheelchair accessible parking with ACROD permit
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Princess Royal Fortress
The Princess Royal Fortress Convoy Walk & Lookout is paved and wheelchair friendly, however is still steep. People who use a wheelchair may require assistance to reach the top.
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The Main Barracks Gallery is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and wide doors. Exhibitions in the Princess Royal Fortress buildings do not have information in an audio format or a hearing loop.
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HMAS Perth Exhibit has a bitumen path and ramp, and both doors can be opened to allow a wheelchair. The exhibit has enough room for a wheelchair to move freely around the room.
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The Guard House has a ramp and the doorway can fit a manual wheelchair. Electronic wheelchairs may struggle.
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The remaining Princess Royal Fortress buildings, due to their heritage nature, may be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair.