Australia’s oldest skate park, the heritage-listed Albany Snake Run, has marked its 50th anniversary, with the site also recognised as the second-oldest surviving skate park in the world.
Built in an old quarry, the park was created through strong community effort in the mid-1970s, with local children and teenagers fundraising thousands of dollars (including selling raffle tickets and working community events) to help make it happen. The surf culture of the region shaped the design, producing a winding downhill track intended to feel like riding a wave.
The park opened to large crowds in February 1976, quickly becoming a major local hub, and later hosted Australia’s first National Skating Championship in 1979. Today, generations of skaters still use the space, with locals reflecting on its role in both community life and the evolution of skateboarding.
