Historic Whaling Station Discovery Bay Overview

Albany's Historic Whaling Station

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Visit the only complete whaling station tourism attraction in the world!

Looking out from the well-worn flensing deck, the view of King George Sound and its islands is breathtaking. The quiet tranquillity is in sharp contrast to the noisy, steamy, and very odorous scene from its past. The whaling station, which operated here from 1952 to 1978, is now a fascinating historic site, in which the stories of the teams of men who worked on the whaling ships and in processing the catch, bring the place to life. The Historic Whaling Station Collection includes a large photographic collection. Some of this rich visual material can be seen in the Colin Green Heritage Gallery, named after the community-minded businessman who first proposed that the Green Family donate its asset of the abandoned whaling station to the Jaycees Community Foundation to preserve this important industrial heritage. The site, and its fascinating displays, is now one of Albany’s most popular tourist attractions.

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View Collection at Collections WA

Address:

81 Whaling Station Road
Torndirrup WA 6330
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9844 4021

Email:

reception@discoverybay.com.au

Opening Hours

7 days 9am - 5pm

Model of a Whale Chaser

This intricate model of the Cheynes IV vessel, was made by local model boat enthusiast Ian Lunt. The Cheynes IV was one of six whale chasers owned by the Cheynes Beach Whaling Company over its 27...

Flensing Knife and Boots

Wearing rubber boots with metal cleats on them, the flenser would walk up over the whale’s body, using the sharp knife blade to cut into the meat. As one of the flensers said, ‘It’s a dangerous sport...

Sperm Whale Skeleton

This skeleton is of one of the last whales to be caught in Australian waters in 1978. It would have taken two hours for the whale chaser to tow its harpooned catch from the deep waters of the...

Recollections of War

As you walk through this impressive private collection, listening to your hosts Kathryn and John Shapland talk about the story behind each item, you realise that this is a very special experience. An...

Wesley Wedding Gown Collection

a unique collection of historical textiles

The Collection of Bridal Dresses and Historical Clothes is housed in a hall behind the historic buildings of the Wesley Church, the Church Hall and the Manse. Couples have been married here since 1863...

Greenbushes Discovery Centre

Touch the past, live the present, imagine the future

There is a great love of local history in this pretty town. Look out for the purple and orange signs which make up the Heritage Amble. This is an entertaining walk trail which takes you along the...

Margaret River Library

Surrounded by bird-filled native gardens the Library building is a hub of information and ideas. Amongst the book shelves is a collection of materials on grape growing and winery operations, sources...