May 14, 2024
One of the locations we didn’t visit previously is the Wind Farm, this from Wikipaedia:
“Originally commissioned in 2001 the farm was the largest of its kind in Australia. The farm originally had 12 wind turbines, with 6 extra turbines installed in 2011 as the Grasmere Wind Farm. The original Albany Wind Farm turbines are ENERCON model E66, each with three 35 metres (115 ft) long blades[3] made from fibreglass and kevlar (making them very flexible in order to withstand any conditions) and are fitted to 65 metres (213 ft) towers. The nose cone which the blades attach to weighs around 14 tonnes. At the time of construction these turbines were the largest installed in the southern hemisphere. The turbines operate automatically, with the three blades adjusted to make best use of power output from any wind direction or strength. They have been designed to withstand the strongest winds likely in Albany and incorporate special lightning protection. Each turbine has a rating of 1.8 MW and is able to produce electrical energy at wind speeds of 7–130 kilometres per hour (4–70 kn) at which the turbines are shut down. Maximum output is achieved at a wind speed of 50 kilometres per hour (27 kn). The 6 new turbines installed in 2011 are ENERCON model E70 with a rating of 2.3 MW. The turbines were made in Germany.“
There is a walking trail from the car park by Tower #1 that leads to 3 lookouts with some of the best views around Albany and we were treated to the appearance of a Quenda (local unique species of bandicoot) on the way up the hill. Eventually the trail brings you to the top of the coastal cliffs and the Bibbulmun Track which at this point is a boardwalk and allows you to explore a little more in either direction. Sandpatch Beach Stairs lead down to the beach where we did venture halfway to another lookout platform.
