Albany to open its own 'Jacob's Ladder' in 2026

By: Lisa Cook 

Perth’s popular fitness hotspot, Jacob’s Ladder, is getting a southern sister, with plans approved for the Albany Botanic Walkway, an elevated stair and walkway experience linking Binalup/Middleton Beach with Ierrup/Mount Adelaide. 

The project will give locals and visitors a new way to explore Albany’s natural beauty, offering panoramic views of King George Sound, Princess Royal Harbour, and the surrounding bushland. 

At the summit, Mount Adelaide is home to the award-winning National ANZAC Centre, an immersive tribute to Australia’s ANZAC history. The mount also features the Princess Royal Fortress, one of the nation’s oldest outdoor military museums, with barracks, gun batteries and historic displays. Visitors can take the Convoy Walk to the Convoy Lookout for sweeping coastal views, or stop in at Garrison restaurant for a meal with a view. 

At the base of Mount Adelaide sits Middleton Beach, one of Albany’s most loved coastal destinations. The sheltered Ellen Cove is perfect for families, with its netted swimming area, pontoon, jetty and playground, plus beachside dining at Three Anchors. A new artificial reef just offshore adds to the list of local drawcards. 

Concept designs for the Albany Botanic Walkway feature a mix of level and stepped sections, with lookouts, yarning spaces, shelters and interpretive signage to celebrate the area’s cultural and environmental heritage. 

The project is jointly funded by local, state and federal governments, including a $3.62 million grant from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program. 

The Albany Botanic Walkway is expected to open to the public by the end of 2026.