Middleton Beach, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Middleton BeachAlbany, Western Australia |
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Middleton Beach, 2018
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| Postcode(s) | 6330 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | [convert: needs a number] | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 4 km (2 mi) from Albany | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Albany | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Albany | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor | ||||||||||||||
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Binalup/Middleton Beach is a beautiful coastal area in Albany, Western Australia. It is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) east of the city center. The traditional owners, the Noongar people, call this place Binalup. This name means 'the place of first light', because the sun rises over the water here each morning.
You can reach Middleton Beach by driving along Middleton Road. It's a popular spot for visitors, with a caravan park and many holiday homes.
Contents
Exploring Middleton Beach's Location
Middleton Beach is bordered by Wollaston Road and the Albany Golf Course to the north. To the east, you'll find the King George Sound. Heritage Park is to the west and south. About 650 people live in this area.
A Look Back at Middleton Beach's History
Middleton Beach got its name from Captain Middleton in 1834. However, it wasn't officially named a suburb until 1979. In the early days of Albany, Middleton Beach was a useful place. Large boats could not easily enter Princess Royal Harbour. So, they would unload supplies and animals here instead.
The Famous Esplanade Hotels
Middleton Beach is well-known for its Esplanade Hotels.
- The first Esplanade Hotel opened in 1898. Sadly, it burned down in 1908.
- A new hotel was built and finished in 1911. It became very popular, especially after a road connected Albany town to the beach. Before that, people had to travel by boat or a rough bush path.
- In the 1940s, this hotel was replaced by an even bigger one, finished in 1949. It was a huge success!
- In the 1970s, that hotel was also taken down to make way for another new hotel.
In 1990, Paul Terry bought the hotel. He wanted to build a fancy 5-star hotel. He also built a separate building called the Extravaganza. It had shops and a museum for old cars. The museum closed in 1993 after Paul Terry passed away.
Later, in 2006, there were plans to build a new, modern apartment hotel. The Extravaganza building was taken down. The main hotel was demolished in 2007. Many people protested this decision. Today, the site is still empty. In 2014, the land was sold to LandCorp for future development.
Shark Barrier for Safe Swimming
In 2015, the Albany City Council decided to install a shark barrier at the beach. This special barrier helps keep swimmers safe. The A$400,000 barrier was put in place in March 2016.
Fun Things to Do at Middleton Beach
Middleton Beach is Albany's main swimming beach. It's a great place for swimming and other beach activities. The waters are calm because King George Sound protects them from the big waves of the Southern Ocean.
Exploring Ellen Cove
At the southern end of the beach, you'll find a jetty called Ellen Cove. In summer, a floating platform (a pontoon) is placed in the ocean for swimmers to enjoy. Close to the beach, there are cafes, a restaurant, and a fish and chip shop.
You can also walk along the Ellen Cove Boardwalk. It goes up a hill above the jetty. From there, you get amazing views of King George Sound and Middleton Bay.
Whale Watching Opportunities
Middleton Beach is a fantastic spot to see whales! You can often see Southern Right and Humpback whales during their yearly journey to the Southern Ocean. These whales come into the bay to rest. Sometimes, they are very close to the shore, just 20-30 meters away! You might even see them playing in the deeper waters.
ANZAC Memorial Reenactment
In 2014, a special event happened just off Middleton Beach. It was the ANZAC Memorial Reenactment. Warships from all over the world gathered to remember the ANZAC troops. These brave soldiers left for Gallipoli from this area in 1914.
Images for kids
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Middleton Beach at sunset
