Albany's bicentenary year is the perfect time to delve deeper into the stories that shaped our city, and this July the Maritime Festival offers a rich program of exhibitions, talks and experiences exploring 200 years of maritime history alongside thousands of years of Menang connection to Country and sea.
At the Museum of the Great Southern, Early History of Boatbuilding around Albany and 50 Years of the Amity Replica explores the arrival of the Brig Amity in 1826 and the growth of boatbuilding around King George Sound. Through photographs, ship models, drawings and historical publications, the exhibition reflects on the skilled trades, industries and communities that helped establish the settlement, while celebrating the 50th anniversary of Albany's much-loved Amity replica.
Every Tuesday morning throughout July, free talks at The Co-Op Building will bring Albany's maritime history to life. Topics include daring French women who disguised themselves as sailors aboard exploration voyages, the preservation of the Amity replica, restoration of the historic fishing vessel Wildflower, and the maritime legacy of the Forsyth family.
Complementing these colonial stories is Kalyagul: Connections to Menang Country, a landmark exhibition opening at the Museum of the Great Southern on 4 July. Bringing together nationally and internationally significant collections for the first time, the exhibition places Menang voices and knowledge at its centre, recognising the vital role Menang people played in documenting and sharing knowledge of Country.
Visitors can further explore the stories behind the exhibition at the Kalyagul: Connections to Menang Country – Stories Behind the Exhibition Symposium on Sunday, 5 July, where Menang Elders, researchers and museum practitioners will discuss the relationships, collaboration and cultural knowledge that shaped the exhibition.
Albany's Historic Whaling Station also presents two thought-provoking exhibitions during July. Cats & Dogs: All at Sea offers a glimpse into the companionship between sailors and their animals through historic photography, while the Albany 2026 supported event, The Boneyard by Erin Coates, reflects on Albany's whaling history through immersive contemporary art inspired by family history, memory and the marine environment.
Those keen to hear remarkable stories from the water can also attend two Maritime Exploration Evenings at Six Degrees. One explores the shipwrecks and submerged heritage of Albany's coastline, while the other follows local sailor Nicola Edwards' extraordinary 42,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation of the globe.
Whether you're fascinated by maritime industries, local families, Menang knowledge or the stories hidden beneath the waves, July provides countless opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of Albany's rich and complex history during this landmark bicentenary year.
For the full Maritime Festival program, including sailing events, family activities and entertainment, visit the Maritime Festival website.
