Western Australia’s Great Southern region ripples with rich history, culture and a heart-stealing natural landscape that repeatedly left me dropping my jaw
On WAâs wild southern coast, Albanyâs geography shaped its past and its flourishing present
The idyllic Middleton beach in Albany, Western Australia. Photograph: Carolyn Beasley
The idyllic Middleton beach in Albany, Western Australia. Photograph: Carolyn Beasley
CarolynBeasley
Sun 9 May 2021 13.30 EDT
Last modified on Sun 9 May 2021 21.08 EDT
Perched on Western Australiaâs southern tip, Albany clings to the shores of King George Sound and the sheltered bays of Princess Royal and Oyster harbours. Granite peaks are surrounded by bushland, rich with wildflowers.
Itâs the home town of sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson, two-thirds of folk-rock trio the Waifs.
‘Are we progressive? My oath we are!’ A local’s guide to Albany, Western Australia Carolyn Beasley
Perched on Western Australia’s southern tip, Albany clings to the shores of King George Sound and the sheltered bays of Princess Royal and Oyster harbours. Granite peaks are surrounded by bushland, rich with wildflowers.
It’s the home town of sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson, two-thirds of folk-rock trio the Waifs.
Thorn describes her childhood as idyllic. “That was because of the topography of the place,” she says. “It’s very accessible to a lot of beautiful places.” Thorn married an American and usually lives in the US, but during the pandemic she chose to bunker down in her hometown.