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By: Julie Hosking
Boasting a harbour bigger than Sydney’s, rugged landscapes, beautiful beaches and a rich and varied history, Albany is more than worth the drive.
Here’s a selection of must-do activities for anyone spending time in WA’s southernmost port city.
See Albany shine brighter than ever before at Lighting the Sound. The Australian-first art installation created by world-renowned Finnish light artist Kari Kola, and co-designed and led by Menang Elders, the event is set to transform the city into a vivid spectacle across Albany's coastline, landforms and landmarks.
The immersive nighttime experience - anticipated to be the largest light installation on Earth to date - celebrates the region's traditional custodians, history, and culture. The free event will light up Albany across three weekends: 13 - 15 March, 20 - 22 March, and 27 - 29 March.
Put in the legwork exploring Albany's natural assets on a hiking adventure. Albany and its surrounds are full of spectacular trails, from leisurely coastal walks to mountain climbs. Drop by the visitor centre in York Street, open seven days a week, to discover which trails are right for you, as skill levels, distances, and times vary considerably.
Located in the Torndirrup National Park, a short drive from town, is the Bald Head Walk Trail. Bushwalking experience is recommended to tackle the popular 12.5km scenic trail, which winds all the way to its namesake, Bald Head, a domed granite headland that slopes into the Southern Ocean.
Allow six to eight hours, bring plenty of water, wear sturdy shoes and take extra care on steep sections.
For a less strenuous walk, follow the Albany Windfarm Loop. The nearly 2km beginner trail offers sweeping views of the coastline and traverses wind turbines and intersects the Bibbulmun Track.
An immersive and moving experience, this state-of-the-art museum overlooks King George Sound, from which 40,000 Australians and New Zealanders left for World War I. Upon entering, you’ll receive a card featuring one of the 32 Anzacs documented in the world-class exhibit.
Their journey unfolds through interactive media displays, personally penned letters, artefacts, film, and photographs. By the time you reach the tribute wall to leave a personal message, you’ll be overwhelmed with gratitude for their heroic efforts and sacrifices.
Located on Mount Clarence, the Centre is adjacent to the Princess Royal Fortress, another treasure trove of military history, home to original gun batteries, defences and barracks.
The heritage site is open daily from 9am-5pm (except Christmas Day) with tickets available online.
Albany is blessed with beautiful beaches – but where to make a splash?
The calm waters of Emu Point Beach are great for little ones, while Little Beach at Two Peoples Bay provides a more secluded spot to hunker down with a book amid lush greenery surrounded by granite headlands.
Middleton Beach boasts snow-white sands and a nice playground, and Goode Beach, with its squeaky sand and turquoise waters, is another peaceful hideaway.
Frenchman Bay, on the southern side of King George Sound, has some shaded and sunny tables to enjoy a picnic.
The protected cove at Misery Beach is anything but a sad sight. Located in Torndirrup National Park, this secluded beach, ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and surfing, was crowned Australia's Best Beach in 2022 by Tourism Australia.
A great introduction to Albany’s burgeoning food scene is Taste Great Southern. The three-day food festival in March celebrates the region’s culinary heroes and regional produce with a stellar line-up of events across the region, from gourmet hikes to garden feasts under the stars.
Whether in festive mode or not, there are plenty of places where foodies can whet their appetite in the coastal hotspot. First up, take a trip to bohemian Paris, dining at Liberte. Located in the historic London Hotel, the award-winning restaurant and bar offers a French-Vietnamese-inspired shared menu and a delectable cocktail list, set amid French interiors (red velvet curtains, Renaissance art, kitsch décor).
For the flavours of home, mix Australian pub fare and gorgeous views at Due South. The waterfront tavern plates up the best of Great Southern produce, including aged steaks alongside pub classics.
Modern Australian fusion restaurant Garrison also boasts a similarly impressive outlook from its position atop Mount Clarence (nearby the National Anzac Centre). The intimate space offers ever-changing share plates made with locally sourced ingredients, along with an extensive wine list. Local tip: check their website for mid-week specials.
For a staple road trip snack, visit Bred Co. The central hole-in-the-wall bakehouse likes to keep things hyperlocal, milling flour onsite to craft its sourdough bread and golden pastries. Thankfully, for carb lovers, it is open seven days a week.
Call yourself a wine buff? Visit the darling of Albany’s wine scene, Oranje Tractor Wines. Located a 10-minute drive from Albany centre, the carbon-negative vineyard and organic farm offers an innovative wine flight experience, pairing award-winning wines with cheeses and fresh produce grown onsite. The cellar door is open Sundays from 11am to 5pm. Other days by appointment. Just make sure you have a designated driver or take a taxi or rideshare.
To sample the sweetest handpicked strawberries, drop into Handasydes Strawberry Farm, a family favourite among locals.
Torndirrup National Park is home to some of Albany’s most famous natural attractions: The Gap, Natural Bridge and the Blowholes.
Step out onto the viewing platform 40 metres above sea level at The Gap and watch surging waves crash over the rocks below your toes. You may even get a tad wet from the powerful water blasts. No matter where you’re standing, the views out to the Southern Ocean, Bald Head and West Cape Howe are spectacular.
The Blowholes, as the name suggests, blow water up through a crack in the granite, producing a wondrous (and at times very loud) spray. There is also a popular walking trail to the Blowholes, a 1.6km return trip from the carpark. While it’s a relatively easy walk, it’s important to stay back from the ocean's edge at all times, as the path can get dangerously slippery.
The HMAS Perth II is a must for experienced divers. Located in King George Sound, the vessel once served in the Vietnam War, with its missile destroyer’s equipment still intact, including its captain’s chair alongside eerie shellfire remnants.
Follow the 133m-long wreck’s interpretive trail, which includes plaques detailing the artificial reef’s history and marine life. The wreck, which was deliberately sunk in 2001, now flourishes with coral, attracting fish species such as yellowtails, leatherjackets and kingfish. You’ll need a permit dive this site.
Each May to October, Albany welcomes some very special guests to its great backyard — pods of humpback and southern right whales. The best way to see them is aboard a cruise and you’ll find plenty of operators including Albany Whale Tours and Albany Ocean Adventures.
Alternatively, head to Middleton Beach to get a vantage point from shore or following the coastal boardwalk, for a chance to see these ocean giants.
The Albany's Historic Whaling Station at Discovery Bay is a one-of-a-kind visit to a bygone (and grim) era. After ceasing operations in 1978, Australia's last whaling processing plant has been transformed into a multi-award-winning tourist attraction.
Give yourself a few hours to explore the coastal museum which details the region's whaling history and whales. Take a walk on the heritage-listed Cheynes IV whaling ship and stand under a giant blue whale's skeletal remains. The museum is open 9am to 5pm daily (except Christmas Day).
Locally owned and operated, much-loved brewhouse, Wilson Brewing Co, offers a relaxed pub environment and, most importantly, great hops. The bustling tavern along Stirling Street features its namesake Wilson Brewing Company beers on tap. The boutique beers pay tribute to its maritime roots, with names such as Rough Seas, Light House, and Lost Sailor. Wilson Brewing Tavern is open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday.
Built in 1975, the Brig Amity is a full-scale replica of the ship that brought the first white settlers to Western Australia.
Located on the Princess Royal Harbour foreshore, just a few hundred metres from where Major Edmund Lockyer and 45 passengers landed in 1826, the brig offers a great experience for the whole family. Walk the gangplank to discover what life was like sailing halfway across the world two centuries ago. Young children are just the right size for exploring the lower decks, while the grown-ups will enjoy learning more about the ship’s history. Family tickets are $12.
Part of the Museum of the Great Southern, it is staffed by volunteers and opening hours vary depending on the weather, so it’s best to ring the museum on 9841 4844 before visiting.
The Great Southern Distilling Company is an excellent spot for a unique tipple. The cellar door along Princess Royal Harbour offers tastings of Western Australian-owned Limeburners' premium single malt whisky and Ginversity's gin all under one roof.
Go behind the scenes to discover how whisky is crafted on a distillery tour before enjoying tastings at the bar. If you're more of a gin fan, why not curate your own flavour in a gin blending class, using Ginversity’s renowned botanicals?
And once you have made your drink of choice, kick back and enjoy it with a bite to eat in the cosy tasting room overlooking the water. The Great Southern Distilling Company is open seven days a week, from 10am - 5pm (except Good Friday).
Enjoy a four-hour cruise along the Kalgan River in style on board the Kalgan Queen. Learn about the area’s historical significance and spot wildlife, including hawks, eagles and kangaroos, and marine life under your toes as you journey through time on a glass-bottom vessel.
If you prefer to explore the ancient waterway on the outskirts of Albany at your own pace, hire a canoe or kayak. The full kayak trail length is 10km from the start of the river at Wheeldon Road, to the opening at Oyster Harbour, but you can paddle parts of the river from various starting points. Check the tide timings before you go.
Discover Albany’s rich cultural history with a visit to Strawberry Hill at Barmup, meaning ‘place of tall trees’.
Soak in the stories of this fascinating place, inhabited by local Menang people before it became a British military outpost in 1826. The site later became the first established farm in WA.
Wander through the award-winning Visitor Hub, take a self-guided tour of the grounds, or jump on one of the tours of the main house.
The Visitor Hub and grounds are open daily from 10am to 3.30pm. The entry fee is $10 for adults, and there’s a kiosk open for coffee and snacks.
Discover Albany’s rich cultural history with a visit to Strawberry Hill at Barmup, meaning ‘place of tall trees’.
Soak in the stories of this fascinating place, inhabited by local Menang people before it became a British military outpost in 1826. The site later became the first established farm in WA.
Wander through the award-winning Visitor Hub, take a self-guided tour of the grounds, or jump on one of the tours of the main house.
The Visitor Hub and grounds are open daily from 10am to 3.30pm. The entry fee is $10 for adults, and there’s a kiosk open for coffee and snacks.
