Albany & Surrounds

Follow Albany Hwy a short distance to York Street, Albany’s main street and town centre overlooking Princess Royal Harbour.

Be sure to stop at the Amazing South Coast’s tourist information centre to get some excellent maps and additional visitor information.  You will also find all the major banks, post office, supermarkets, pharmacies, book stores, speciality stores and some very good restaurants.

At the end of York Street (on the left before the rail crossing) is Stirling Terrace, another great spot with more excellent pubs and eateries, and Albany's renowned historical buildings. Simply continue along Stirling terrace, which connects with Marine Drive to take you to our next stop at the National Anzac Centre.

The National ANZAC Centre is a must see when you visit Albany. Located at Mount Adelaide with stunning views of King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour, this award-winning facility offers an outstanding historical insight and a unique and deeply personal tribute to those who served in World War I.

Albany is the place where the first ANZAC fleet departed in 1914 and is the last sight that many young soldiers had of Australian shores. Albany is also regarded as the birthplace of Australia’s ANZAC dawn service tradition. Located only minutes away is Mount Clarence and offers 360-degree views across the town of Albany, Middleton Beach and across to the historic Whaling Station on the other side of the harbour.

Continuing along Marine Drive, you will soon arrive at Middleton Beach. This is the closest beach to the town centre and is one of the most popular, ideal for swimming with a lovely grassed area, BBQs, as well as a buzzing restaurant and cafe scene.

At the southern end is the starting point for the Ellen Cove boardwalk.  This is just a magnificent, albeit gentle walk; the views over King George Sound are simply stunning. Enjoy a coffee at Three Anchors, or a beer at Hybla Tavern.

Located approximately 10 minutes from Middleton Beach is Emu Point.

The point itself is a rocky gorge with clear protected water, floating pontoon and a white sandy beach. It's ideal for sheltered swimming or fishing, and has a beautiful grassed area with BBQs, a fabulous playground and a café restaurant. At the boat harbour you can purchase oysters or enjoy fish and chips at the Squid Shack.

Head back towards town, Princess Royal Drive and the foreshore to the replica of the tall ship Brig Amity.

The brig is famous for carrying the British party that established the first settlement in Western Australia in December 1826. In 1832 the Governor of the Swan River Colony, Sir James Stirling visited the settlement with the view to moving the Western Australian capital to King George Sound. He renamed the town Albany after the Duke of York and Albany.

Albany became an important port for ships travelling from Europe to the Eastern States, and for hopeful travellers participating in the West Australian gold rush. By 1898, 500 passengers a week were disembarking in Albany from the Eastern States.

The Brig Amity Replica is located close by to the ANZAC Peace Park, the foreshore and the Albany Entertainment centre.

The Albany Wind Farm is one of the most spectacular and largest wind farms in Australia. The coastal views are stunning, and the Wind Farm walk gives you the opportunity to get up close to the giant turbines.

There is also a coastal platform and boardwalk ideal for spotting the Southern Right Humpback Whales between May and October, or dolphins, surfers and windsurfers at all times of the year. The Wind Farm is also a fantastic spot to view the western setting sun.

Approximately a 15 minute drive from the Wind Farm along Frenchman Bay Road, you will find the famous Gap, an impressive rugged granite channel carved by the giant waves of the Great Southern Ocean. The Gap itself features a sheer 25 metre drop. A recently constructed viewing platform allows you to walk out over the edge of the drop and view the tumultuous surf below.

Located in the same area is the Natural Bridge, a fascinating rock formation carved from the turbulent surf over many thousands of years. Both lookouts provide outstanding vantage points to take in the views of the Southern Ocean.

A short distance from the Gap and Natural Bridge lies the Stony Hill lookout. There is a fabulous 500 metre circular walk offering outstanding 360-degree views of the Torndirrup National Park and the Southern Ocean. The Stony Hill rocks are an easy walk, and even better during wildflower season.

The white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters make this an ideal swimming spot.

Goode beach is also a fisherman’s delight with lots of herring, whiting, garfish, salmon, trout, silver bream and squid caught between April and July.

Located at the end of Frenchman’s Bay Road, Albany's Historical Whaling Station offers the only experience of its kind in the world. Apart from its spectacular location and amazing views you will have the opportunity to explore an intact processing factory and a fully restored whaling ship.

There is also a cafe, wildlife park and botanical gardens located within the complex.

On the return to Albany, turn right off Frenchman Bay road on to Quaranup Road and head out to the Vancouver Peninsular.

This is home to the original Quarantine station, and although you cannot access the station, there are some excellent beaches and vantage spots. A favourite of mine is Whalers Cove (also known as Fisheries Beach), a small but beautiful spot. The beach is some 300m long and 25m wide, and at the eastern end the sand gives way to rocks.  It is very pleasant to take a stroll a short distance along this rocky section. The sand on the beach is white and clean. The cove is protected from most of the ocean swell, so the waves are usually small and suitable for family swimming.

Whether you are a fan or not of this famous spirit, its certainly worth calling in at this award-winning distillery. Located on the left as you head along Frenchman Bay Road on the way back to town, you will have the opportunity to sample and do a tour of the distillery. 

And that wraps up our suggestions for seeing Albany in a day or two! 

Do you have more time in our amazing region? Ask the Albany Visitor's Centre, or our local reception staff, for more tips about exploring the amazing history, food, wine and natural sightseeing spots.