The Rocks, Heritage site in Albany, Australia

The Rocks is a two-storey residence built in 1882 on the side of Mount Melville, set in 8,196 square metres of gardens overlooking Albany and Princess Royal Harbour. It has seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a billiard room and a library with jarrah floorboards, in a Federation filigree style.

William Grills Knight, Albany's mayor from 1886 to 1888, built the house in 1882; his family kept it until 1910. The state government bought it in 1912 as a summer cottage for vice-regal dignitaries, and during World War I it served as a convalescent home for wounded servicemen until 1921. By 1937 the governor no longer needed it, and it was used as a school, maternity and general hospital, and from 1950 a hostel for 30 to 40 girls of Albany Senior High School.

The house is also known as Government House or Government Cottage, names that recall its use as a summer cottage for vice regal dignitaries after the state government bought it in 1912. From 1950 it housed girls attending Albany Senior High School, first 30 and later 40, run by the Country Women's Association.

The estate now functions as accommodation with guided tours and educational programs for visitors of all ages. Plan to spend time exploring both the buildings and the gardens at a comfortable pace.

During both World Wars the building served as a recovery home for wounded soldiers, offering them shelter in a scenic setting. This wartime role remains part of local memory and storytelling.