Take a look behind one of Albany’s oldest industries at PortFest
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Albany
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Community
- Published: 2 March 2026
Families will have a rare chance to explore behind the scenes of WA’s first port when Southern Ports throws open the Port of Albany gates for PortFest on Saturday 11 April.
The free celebration of the Port’s 200th anniversary will have something for everyone, from maritime enthusiasts to curious kids.
Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said it’s an important celebration for both Albany and the Port, which together mark their bicentenaries, and goes to show how pivotal regional ports are in building strong regions.
“For 200 years the Port of Albany has connected Australia’s west coast to the world,” Mr Wilks said.
“We’ve been shaping opportunities for the region and the community since before Western Australia even became a state, so it’s only natural we invite the community to celebrate this milestone with us.”
The action-packed event will bring together port operations, with giant family-friendly entertainment, live music, food vans and plenty more to do for all ages.
For those looking for an extra adventure, bus and boat tours will be available on the day, as well as the opportunity to take a self-guided walking tour.
“We’ve held open days across our ports many times, but this will be one of our biggest and most memorable yet,” Mr Wilks said.
“As well as encouraging our port users to get involved, a range of organisations and community groups are on board and there a few more special attractions we’ll announce over the coming month.
“The story of Albany and the Port go hand-in-hand so we’re bringing community together to discover more about the impact of that enduring connection.”
Southern Ports Regional Manager – Albany Paul McSweeney said the Port continues to build on its significant legacy each day.
“Our team is incredibly proud of the role it plays enabling our regional industries to thrive and we love being able to give people a glimpse behind the scenes,” he said.
“During our recent community boat tours one of the questions we got the most was about when they could next get onto the berth, we’re really excited to tell everyone it’s only a couple of months away.”
PortFest will be held at the Port of Albany from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 11 April, and while it’s a free event, tickets are essential and can be secured by visiting https://events.humanitix.com/portfest-2026
