IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE FIRST ANZACS

ONE hundred and six years ago the first Australian and New Zealand troops to fight in WWI assembled in WA. Soon to be named Anzacs, they were transported to Egypt in a convoy of ships sailing from the port of Albany. This scenic coastal town, surrounded by hills, headlands and national parks offers a number of walks exploring Albany’s rich Anzac history.

Albany’s large sheltered harbour made it the first choice for assembling the convoy, with ships starting to arrive in October 1914. Carrying thousands of new recruits that embarked from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Wellington, all voyagers were eager to defend the ‘mother country’ of Great Britain. Each ship resupplied with water and coal before taking an assigned anchorage after