Ships re-create first Anzac convoy

Navy ships from Australia, New Zealand and Japan have passed through Albany's Ataturk Channel to commemorate the first Anzac convoy in World War I.

A century ago, almost 30,000 soldiers set sail from King George Sound on Western Australia's southern coast, and on Saturday, the centenary commemorations culminated in the re-creation of that historic event.

Australian warships HMAS Anzac, HMAS Arunta, HMAS Stuart, HMAS Sirius and the submarine HMAS Rankin were joined by New Zealand ship HMNZS Te Kaha and JDS Kirisame from Japan.

Just before the sail-past was the official opening of the National Anzac Centre.

Visitors to the multimedia museum can follow the story of a single soldier, not knowing until they get to the end of the experience whether that serviceman survived or not.

"It is a lasting reminder of those that fell," Albany mayor Dennis Wellington told the large crowd of dignitaries at the opening.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was fitting the centre should be at the jumping-off point for the original Anzacs.

"I wonder at the heroism and I tremble at the suffering of our forebears but I marvel at what they've done for our country," he said.