PIONEER PATHWAYS
Honouring our custodians, founders and pioneers and their contribution to the first settlement in Western Australia.
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Pioneer Pathways
Walking through the past to preserve the future.
Albany’s transformation from a small penal outpost and military garrison into a thriving port, helped shape the early identity of Western Australia. Through industries such as whaling, pastoralism, and coastal shipping, Albany became a vital hub of early industrial development.
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To honour this rich legacy, the Albany Historical Society is proud to announce Pioneer Pathways—an interpretive walking trail designed to educate and inspire. This initiative, proudly supported by Rio Tinto, will offer locals, visitors, and school groups the chance to step into the stories of the past and explore the lives of custodians, pioneers and community builders who shaped Albany from its earliest days.
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Through carefully curated signage and storytelling, Pioneer Pathways will shine a light on the hidden contributions of men, women, and families whose efforts laid the foundations of the vibrant community we know today.
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The project aims to build a stronger connection between present and past, encouraging deeper engagement with Albany’s unique heritage and ensuring these important stories are preserved for future generations.
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Expected to launched in December 2025, in honour of the traditional custodians of Kinjarling's, the Menang People, Pioneer Pathways will become a lasting feature of the city’s historical landscape.
Duke St Park
Duke Street Park Commemorative Plaque Project.
Established in 2006, to compliment the historic Patrick Taylor Cottage, the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia, the Duke Street Park features a winding rammed earth path with landscaped garden beds. The Duke Street Park is 100 metres from Major Edmund Lockyer’s 1826 King George Sound settlement and on land of deep cultural significance to the Menang Noongar people. The park offers a meaningful site for public remembrance.
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Up to 20 commemorative plaques will be installed along the winding pathway, each honouring individuals or families who contributed to Albany’s development. The first plaque, funded by the Albany Historical Society, will pay tribute to the Menang Noongar people and their vital role in the region’s early history.​​​