Albany's Historic Whaling Station

Albany's Historic Whaling Station provides a fascinating insight into the industry, and all whose livelihood depended on it.  Whales are now a focus of the local tourism industry.  In 1952,  the Cheynes Beach Whaling Company commenced operations with a second-hand chaser obtained from Norway and a small quota of humpback whales.  As the humpback whale season was limited to June, July, and August each year the company also chased sperm whales.  Eventually, due to declining populations, and decrease market for whale oil, and pressure from conservation groups the company ceased operations in 1978.   The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company, the last to close in Australia. We were able to climb  aboard the famous whale chaser to experience life on board  of an actual whaling ship.  Part of the tour was guided, by a lively and interesting chap.  He then left us to our own devices to meander the whaling grounds, and visit three different theaters that further explained about whales, sharks, and everyday life of a whaler.



I have always loved walking up and down beaches collecting shells, something my mother loved to do also.  But, this woman took collecting shells to a different level!  Totally amazing!!

 This is where captured whales were winched up to a platform where flencing began.  The flencers removed the fat from the whale, and cut the whale up into manageable pieces.  A nasty job!!

 Cut up whale pieces were thrown down the covered holes were it was cooked, and processed.

This is the bottom jaw bone of a blue whale.

The whalers worked 9 months of the year with only one weekend off a month.