There is so much to see in Albany. Historic buildings, magnificent beaches, nature reserves, the National ANZAC Centre, a whaling company, and a street art path await visitors.
Albany is a key part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps mythos (ANZAC), as it was the last port of call for troopships leaving Australia during WWI.
The well-known Middleton Beach – the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, east of the city, home to quiet Little Beach – A former whale preparation plant, and Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, which now houses a museum, are some famous spots in Albany.
The city also has the Torndirrup National Park, where high cliffs give way to magnificent rock formations, and migrating whales pass by off the coast.
Below are some tourist destinations in Albany, Western Australia.
1. Torndirrup National Park
Torndirrup National Park is located in Western Australia’s Great Southern area, 400 kilometers (249 miles) southeast of Perth and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) south of Albany via Frenchman Bay Road.
Torndirrup National Park is one of Western Australia’s most visited national parks, with various outstanding natural features. On the coast of Torndirrup National Park, there are several magnificent rock formations.
Torndirrup is a beautiful route that drops directly to the mountainous southern coast. The Bald Head Walk Trail is a tough 12.5km, 4-7 hour hike within Torndirrup National Park.
2. National Anzac Centre
The National Anzac Centre is Australia’s most important museum dedicated to the Anzac story. The Centre, located within Albany Heritage Park, provides visitors with a personal connection to the Anzac experience.
When visitors enter the National Anzac Centre, they take on the role of one of 32 Anzac characters and journey through the First World War with them: from recruitment to training and embarkation, involvement in disputes in the Indian Ocean before entry in Egypt, and on to Gallipoli, Palestine, Sinai, as well as across the Western Front.
3. Emu Point
Emu Point Cafe is a well-known beachside cafe in Albany that serves coffee, cakes, breakfast, and lunch daily.
Emu Point Beach in Albany is ideal for swimming and picnicking with the family. The clean, tranquil, and shallow water, as well as the grassy lawn and trees, make it a great site for youngsters. Pack a lunch and spend the afternoon resting.
Fishing and boating are also popular at Emu Beach. Windsurfers quickly glide along the shallow water when the wind is strong.
4. Cheyne Beach Whaling Station
Cheyne Beach Whaling Station is an Australian whaling station that is no longer operational. The station was built in 1952 and operated until 1978 near Frenchman Bay, King George Sound. Albany’s Historic Whaling Station now serves as a tourist attraction.
Cheynes Beach is a small coastal village 65 kilometers (40 miles) east of Albany, Western Australia, bordered by Waychinicup National.
The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company was the last to close its doors in 1978. It opened in 1980 as Whale World and currently houses an interactive exhibit on whales and whaling.
5. Mount Adelaide
The Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum and the future National Anzac Centre are on Mt Adelaide. The Forts Museum is a rich trove of military history.
The National Anzac Centre is a beautiful and poignant memorial where visitors can reflect on the history of WWI and the sacrifices made by Australians. Mt Clarence, which houses the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial and the Padre White lookout, towers over Mt Adelaide.
6. Goode Beach
Goode Beach is bordered by numerous islands in the King George Sound and has views of Mount Manypeaks.
The surrounding coastline can be explored on various popular stroll trails at Goode Beach. Enjoy the sights of Princess Royal Harbour and the old town of Albany from the lookouts near the shore.
The beautiful southern coastline allows visitors to witness the sunrise over the ocean, which is unusual in Western Australia. It’s an attractive destination because of its sheltered location, tranquil, welcoming waves, and immaculate soft, white sandy beach.
7. Middleton Beach
Middleton Beach is a seaside neighborhood of Albany, Western Australia, about 4 km away east of the city center. The traditional proprietors, the Noongar peoples, refer to the area as Binalup, which means first light; because the sun rises over the waterways in the morning,
Middleton Beach, one of Albany’s most beautiful seascapes, is known for its comfortable swimming, windsurfing, and picnicking. Picnic and grilling areas and play equipment are available at Middleton Beach.
There’s plenty of room with 5 kilometers of beautiful white sand. The jetty is a famous spot for fishing and watching the sunset over the ocean.
8. Castle Rock
Castle Rock is a tourist destination known for its animals and flora. It is located In the Porongurup Range of Western Australia’s Southern area.
A stroll trail leads to the peak, which offers 360-degree views from the Granite Skywalk, 570 feet above sea level.
The Granite Skywalk is a steel overlook attached to a granite cliff at Castle Rock. The result is a stunning platform that weaves its way around the granite, providing panoramic views of the Porongurups’ remaining summits, the Stirling Line to the north, Mount Manypeaks to the south, and the surrounding farms.
9. Albany Visitor Centre
The Albany Visitor Centre is located on York Street, in the center of Albany’s retail sector. This award-winning data and booking service, manned by friendly and helpful locals, can give you in-depth information on the Amazing South Coast region.
The Albany Visitor Centre team can help you choose the ideal lodging to meet your needs. They will assist you in making the most out of your stay in this wonderful city.
10. Kalgan River
The Kalgan River is a river in Western Australia’s Great Southern area. The stream is 140 kilometers long (87 miles) and flows into Oyster Harbour with King River.
The river’s lower 9 kilometers are characterized by steep slopes of forest and agriculture, with the odd outcrop of granite.
The source of the river is west of the Stirling Ranges. It begins north of Kendenup and flows south till it enters Oyster Harbour, about 10 kilometers north of Albany.
The Kalgan River has the third-greatest catchment area in the region and the fourth-largest estimated yearly flow (53,400 megalitres).
11. Waterfall Beach
William Bay, Turquoise Waters lies A few kilometers east of Greens Pool, along the bitumen road. The car park is near to the Madfish Bay carpark. See the map of William Bay National Park to get directions to Waterfall Beach.
In the winter, the waterfall cascades across the heathland and down to the beach, overaged rocks. It carves a path to the sea once it reaches the beach.
The beach is secluded and has stunning blue seas. The waterfall is located on the beach’s far side, to the left of the car park.
12. Natural Bridge
The Gap and Natural Bridge lookouts in the Torndirrup National Park provide amazing views of the Southern Ocean and the coast from Bald Head to West Cape Howe.
For all but the harshest weather, tourists to the Gap can climb onto a new universally accessible observation deck 40 meters above the raging waters. The sensation varies daily, from the soothing and fascinating heaving of calm waves to the turbulence rush of wind and rain of winter storms.
13. Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve
The reserve, only 35 kilometers east of Albany, is most notable for being home to the highly endangered Gilbert’s potoroo and the rare noisy scrub bird, which were thought to be extinct until they were found at Two Peoples Bay.
The Two Peoples Bay Heritage Trail, a one-hour climb over the head and along the beach, is one of the best bushwalking tracks in the area.
Albany is about a half-hour drive from Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, about a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Perth, or just over an hour by plane.
14. Albany Wind Farm
The wind farm comprises 12 massive wind turbines, each measuring 100 meters from base to tip of blades. Around 75% of Albany’s pure, green electricity comes from the turbines.
They’ve also become a major tourist destination, as they rise tall on the coast and provide an intriguing landmark.
The immense size of the turbine will make you feel small. You’ll also be rewarded with panoramic views of Torbay, West Cape Howe National Park, and Albany to the east.
15. Ellen Cove Boardwalk
You can find Ellen Cove Near Albany, Western Australia, with a 7.8-mile out-and-back trail. It requires an average of three hours and 3 minutes to finish this fairly difficult route.
The Ellen Cove Boardwalk ascends from Ellen Cove above the Point King cliffs, following the coast across Princess Royal Harbour to the Albany core business district.
Throughout the whale-watching period (May to November), stop by the lookout to see migratory humpback and southern right whales.
16. Albany Farmers Market
Every week, producers from the Great Southern region offer seasonal, local, and fresh vegetables at this authentic farmers’ market. You’ll find a wide selection to meet your fresh food requirements.
Seasonality determines how many merchants are in the marketplace each week, but even in winter, the market offers a diverse selection of fresh foods.
Because the market focuses on fresh produce, it is small compared to large metropolitan markets, yet it stands out because everything on offer is local, fresh, and in season.
The variety of fruit and varietal selection is extensive, with several offers unavailable in Albany Gardens retail.
17. Albany Entertainment Centre
The new Albany Entertainment Centre is a convention center and state-of-the-art facility for performing. This Center sets the bar nationwide for regional performing arts spaces.
The beautiful design by winner architects Cox Howlett & Bailey Woodland contains a 620-seat 12-meter proscenium arch stage with the adaptable Kalyenup Studio able to seat an extra 200 people from the second-floor Hanover Room with stunning views of Princess Royal Harbour.
The centre can accommodate various events because of its flying equipments, orchestra pit, cutting-edge theatre light, and audio systems.
18. Dog Rock
This massive granite outcropping near Albany’s town center is known as Dog Rock. Dog Rock is a must-see attraction for anybody visiting Albany, and it’s a favorite spot for holiday photos. This famous Albany tourist attraction even has a dog collar colored on it.
Dock Rock is a two-minute trip from the town center on Middleton Beach Road.
19. Albany Gardens
Albany Gardens is a lovely and large tourist park with various high-quality, low-cost lodging alternatives for individuals, couples, families, and groups.
The resort offers various services and amenities and is ideally positioned just 1 km from Albany’s town core and adjacent to Albany’s showgrounds and athletic facilities.
A short drive will take you to Western Australia’s most beautiful natural features and beaches. Relax in one of the best holiday parks with excellent customer service.
Best Restaurants in Albany, Western Australia
1. Dylans On The Terrace
Dylans Restaurant and Café, located in Albany’s historic Stirling Terrace, was founded in 1987. It is a diner that serves an all-day breakfast, lunch, and supper menu.
From hamburgers and crisps to Mediterranean comfort cuisine, chocolate fudge brownies warmed with ice cream, you can savor while looking out over the Princess Royal Harbour.
The opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 7 am – 9:30 pm, and Sunday, 8 am – 4 pm.
2. Mean Fiddler
The owner’s global travels inspire the menu at this inventive new establishment. 5 pork belly, Vietnamese-style prawns, local oysters with a touch of strawberry vinegar, and local Wilson Brewing Company craft beer are among the dishes on the menu.
The opening hours are noon-3 pm & 5.30-10 pm Mon-Sat.
3. Venice Pizza Bar & Restaurant
The Venice Pizza Bar & Restaurant is a lively Italian pizzeria that attracts both residents and visitors. Antipasto, kinds of pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and main courses such as chicken saltimbocca, veal parmigiana, and duck raviolini are available for takeout or dining in.
The opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:30 am – 10 pm.
4. Ocean & Paddock
These folks, who won the ‘best fish and chips in WA’ in 2017 and 2018 awards, deliver wonderfully cooked, gently battered seaside delights. Beef brisket, pulled pork, and southern chicken rolls are also available. There is also a menu for children.
You can visit the place at 3-9 pm Wed & Thu, 11 am-9 pm Fri-Sun.
5. Lime 303 Restaurant
Lime 303 Restaurant is a modern hotel dining and local institution that serves cuisine made with the finest seasonal ingredients sourced locally in Western Australia’s Great Southern Region.
It’s easy to understand why their cream garlic Aussie prawns, Mt Barker chicken ballotine, and Great Southern lamp rump have all been named finalists and winners in some of the state’s most renowned catering competitions.
Time to visit the place is Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 pm.
Wrapping Up
The stunning, craggy coastline of Albany is the ideal location for a South WA adventure. Albany is the site of Western Australia’s first European colony and is rich in colonial history.
Albany and the surrounding region offer a fantastic road trip with must-see landmarks all across town.
It has stunning coastline views, world-class wine, gastronomy, fish, a wind turbine, rock climbing, historical landmarks, and more.
Last Updated on May 13, 2024 by Arnab
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