Port of Albany celebrates 200 years with PortFest waterfront event bringing history & maritime life together

Albany’s deep connection to the sea will take centre stage on Saturday, as Southern Ports celebrates 200 years of the Port of Albany with a full day waterfront festival bringing history, trade and maritime life into focus. The big event, PortFest, will transform the harbour into a vibrant hub of activity, showcasing everything from the evolution of international trade to the port’s longstanding military ties. A major highlight will be Spare Parts Puppet Theatre’s The Whale, a 10m long interactive marionette set to anchor the adventure zone from 10am to 4pm on April 11. Festival goers will have the chance to help bring the giant puppet to life throughout the day. Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks said PortFest was about celebrating the port, the region and the community alongside each other. “The port itself is always going to be a main attraction at any port open day, but PortFest is bigger than any usual open day,” he said. “Seeing The Whale at the port is going to be an extraordinary experience that ties in so well with our roles as guardians of a vast aquatic playground and to Albany’s own connection with these magnificent animals.” Families can also expect sand sculptures, block art, face painting and bouncy castles with plenty on offer for younger visitors. Throughout the day there will be a chance for visitors to step aboard the HMAS Warramunga, which will dock in Albany, exclusively for the event. Mr Wilks said it was a very exiting opportunity for people to board the HMAS Warramunga vessel at PortFest. “It’s really exciting that an Anzac-class frigate will be alongside PortFest, and even more so that the navy is welcoming visitors aboard during the event,” he said. “Appreciating the scale of these vessels from up close on the berth is one thing, it’s a whole other thing to have the opportunity to go on board.” The harbour zone will give insight into the port’s modern operations, including how large cargo vessels safely navigate the harbour, while the history zone will feature performances by Theatre 180 and displays from the ports archives, bringing Albany’s maritime past to life. Live music and food vendors will keep crowds refreshed in the recharge zone, with further opportunities to explore the port via a discovery trail or guided bus tours. Mr Wilks said PortFest had been designed as a celebration for the whole community, showcasing the port’s past, present and future. “We’re packing a lot into PortFest to celebrate the Port of Albany’s lasting impact on the growth of our State in a fitting manner, which is with our community,” he said. “Because we are so connected globally it can be easy to forget how important the maritime industry has been and continues to be to Australia as an island-nation, PortFest will shine a light on that. “There really is going to be something for everyone, and no matter how many times you see cargo vessels up close, they are still awe-inspiring every time.” While the event is free, tickets are essential and reservations are required for a spot on the HMAS Warramunga tour or the bus tours and can be secured through the Southern Ports website.