Our exploration of Albany continued today, starting with a visit to the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial.
The slightly austere brickwork of the entrance blended into the surrounding bushland and was easy to miss from the main road.
The location is quite striking, perched high above the town. It certainly required a bit of effort to reach; we counted upwards of ninety steps leading to the memorial itself.
A small price to pay, all things considered. The steps were well-maintained and safe, which is always a bonus for slightly creaky knees like ours.
The Desert Mounted Corps Memorial commemorates the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who served in the Middle East during World War I. The history is sobering, but this sort of remembrance is important.
The statue is certainly impressive, depicting a mounted soldier and horse. The detail is striking, particularly when you consider the elements this monument must endure being exposed to the coastal weather. While the stories are heartbreaking, remembering the sacrifices made is important. We always make sure to stop at memorials whenever we travel.
After paying our respects, we took some time to admire the view. The memorial’s elevated position offers panoramic vistas of Albany and the surrounding sound. The harbour was busy, and the islands looked stunning, even under a slightly overcast sky. We spent a good while up there, just taking it all in. It is a fantastic vantage point to watch the port and admire the coastline.
The view, even from a respectful distance, does highlight the industrial aspect of Albany, alongside its obvious natural beauty. The juxtaposition is interesting; the working harbour is an important part of Albany's identity, after all. We are always fascinated by the contrast of industry and nature.
We certainly felt that the view was worth the climb. We thoroughly enjoyed the time at the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial.
