This year, 2026, is a monumental milestone for Albany, marking its bicentenary as the first place where Aboriginal and British people commenced living together this side of Australia. As the city reflects on a far older story — one deeply rooted in Menang Noongar Boodja — there’s no better time to explore the region’s rich, hidden heritage.

Local Albany historian Malcolm Traill might have just the tool to help you look beyond the obvious tourist sites. While not your standard guide, his story-packed new book, South (UWA Publishing), will enhance the experience of any visitor keen to learn more about the evolving identity of the region.

South’s genesis stems from Malcolm’s deep commitment to public history. Having previously delivered popular “Tuesday Curatorials” to locals at the Museum of the Great Southern, he began writing monthly historical columns for the Albany & Great Southern Weekender in 2017, and later for Southerly magazine in 2019. These beloved articles have now been compiled into a comprehensive monograph, perfectly timed for the bicentenary year.

The response to the book has been immensely rewarding for the author. “It’s already gone into a second print run, which is pretty exciting,” Malcolm says. “I had no idea what to expect, so that’s really very gratifying.”

For Malcolm, Albany’s layered past is one of its greatest, yet often overlooked, assets. “I’ve thought for a long time that it was an unknown advantage — that people didn’t realise that we had all this distinctive history around that would actually attract tourists and travellers,” he says, adding that modern visitors love to engage with historic sites when they are well interpreted.

In South, Malcolm eschews dry chronologies in favour of exploring the quirky, human stories of the region. He loves drawing out unexpected connections, such as the local White Star Hotel’s tenuous link to the ill-fated Titanic, or the popular swimming destination Emu Point’s surprising historical ties to the American War of 1812 and Napoleon Bonaparte.

“History is all about people,” he says. “I think that’s the most interesting part. It’s not about dates and ships and grand structures; it’s more about the people. So if you can tell those stories about the people, then I think that gets people interested in the place.”

With Albany’s year-long bicentenary program already drawing visitors from across the country, Malcolm hopes his writing will inspire tourists to dig a little deeper into the landscape. “I’d like to think that people come here, slow down a bit, look around and think, ‘God, yes, that’s really interesting — I’ll just go and look at that plaque, or check out that QR code,’ or whatever it might be, and see what the backstory to these buildings is,” he says.

Ultimately, Malcolm’s work is an act of community service and awareness-raising. “To show people the value of history in a place, and the value of memory and the value of stories. If we can achieve that with this book and in other ways, then I think Albany is a better place.”

Six things to do in Albany for the bicentenary year

If you’re planning a trip to Albany this year, here are six experiences to add to your itinerary:

1. Attend a bicentenary cultural event. Albany is hosting a generous mix of major events throughout the year. Highlights include the ongoing lecture series The Gift of Truth Telling, featuring Menang Elders and scientists and historians; and a Carrying the Fire lantern procession in November.

2. Discover First Nations history at the Fish Traps. To understand more about the deep history of Menang Noongar Boodja, visit the ancient stone fish traps in Oyster Harbour and the Kalgan River. These sites offer a look into the sustainable fishing technologies used by the Menang people for thousands of years.

3. Explore Albany’s Historic Whaling Station. Located at Discovery Bay, this is the only complete whaling station tourism attraction in the world. Explore interactive exhibits and Australia’s last operational whaling ship to uncover the stories of an industry that once supplied up to 60 per cent of the world’s sperm whale oil.

4. Visit The Gap and Natural Bridge. Around 20km from Albany in Torndirrup National Park is a geological witness to the power of the Southern Ocean. Stand on the accessible viewing platforms to look down into a 40m deep chasm and marvel at the majestic granite archway.

5. Reflect at the National Anzac Centre and Mount Clarence. Experience the Anzac legend through immersive storytelling at the award-winning National Anzac Centre. Afterwards, head up the Avenue of Honour to the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial on Mount Clarence, which boasts panoramic views over King George Sound.

6. Taste Albany’s Historic Brews. Culinary tourism is a huge draw for the region. You can trace Albany’s 19th-century brewing pioneer roots by visiting modern microbreweries like Wilson Brewing, which operates its pub out of the historic White Star Hotel in the CBD.

For more information, visit albany2026.com.au and albany.wa.gov.au.