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Drive yourself to the Albany gala dinner

Headshot of Stephen Scourfield
Stephen ScourfieldThe West Australian
York Street in Albany.
Camera IconYork Street in Albany. Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian

Authentic and unique experiences give us our most memorable travel moments.

And that’s what we’re working to create at our Maritime Festival Gala Dinner at Albany’s Entertainment Centre on Saturday, July 16.

All the delightful ingredients are lining up for an indelible evening.

Guest chef Costa Simatos is developing the menu, incorporating Great Southern produce.

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Live stories from the stage will set the scene before each course, and these scripted spoken-word performance pieces will be accompanied by musician Steve Richter, who will compose music especially for each and perform live as I tell the stories.

The Maritime Festival Gala Dinner, with its many special courses, all pre-dinner drinks, wine, beer and coffee, and the entertainment is $150 per person.

It will be a huge night, presented in partnership with the City of Albany, Albany Maritime Festival and Plantagenet Wines.

Many readers have joined us at Round the World and Round WA dinners. The gala dinner in Albany is us spreading our wings and creating an event that takes our world, in words, music and, of course, cuisine, to the regions.

GALA DINNER TICKETS

+ Albany Entertainment Centre, Saturday, July 16, 6.30pm arrival for 7pm to 10pm event.

+ Tickets: $150 per person, including food, welcome drinks, wine, beer, soft drinks and sparkling water, tea and coffee, and entertainment.

+ Book at westtravelclub.com.au/events (it’s the third item down), or call 1800 429 000 during office hours.

+ Seats are limited, and some have already been booked.

SELF-DRIVE TO THE EVENT

Make a weekend (or week!) of it and drive to Albany to join us.

Mogens Johansen did the drive last weekend to research and write a drive guide.

For those driving down to join as at the gala dinner, we will share these helpful and interesting drive notes, to make the trip down Albany Highway through Williams, Kojonup and Mt Barker even more interesting.

And Mogens has suggested walks and visits in Albany, to make the trip more rewarding.

STAY IN ALBANY

There are all sorts of options for staying in and around Albany, from cottages to caravan parks, B&Bs to city hotels and motels. The folk at Albany Visitor Centre will help with this, on 6820 3700.

Or visit amazingalbany.com.au, where it is easy to search for and book accommodation.

+ Hilton Garden Inn, Albany has accommodation deals including breakfast for any West Travel Club members. Call 1800 429 000 to book.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

+ Visit the National Anzac Centre.

+ Go to The Gap and Natural Bridge in Torndirrup National Park.

+ Enjoy the view around Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound.

+ Walk the 3.2km Mt Clarence Heritage and Granite Trail.

+ Drive round to Middleton Beach and Ellen Cove.

+ Visit The Old Farm, also known as Strawberry Hill.

+ Drive out to Waychinicup beach.

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