Albany
Albany is surrounded by the beautiful Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound. The city of Albany is renowned for its history, whales and spectacular coastline. With breathtaking views from Mount Clarence and Mount Melville, visitors can spot dolphins and seals frolicking in the waters, and humpback and southern right whales as they migrate south.
Named by Governor Stirling in 1832, after Frederick, the Duke of Albany and York, Albany and its surrounds have attractions diverse enough to cater for everyone. Enjoy relaxing holidays wining and dining in the many gourmet restaurants, exploring the local art galleries and craft shops, catching up on the city’s history, bushwalking, visiting national parks or whale watching. It is a beautiful spot to relax and unwind with its long stretches of white sandy beaches, offering plenty of space to find a quiet spot all to your self.
The Albany Farmers Market is a busy thriving market place - local producers bring their fresh, seasonal product and sell direct to locals and tourists. Every imaginable type of fruit and vegetables together with organic meats, local farmed ostrich and venison, yoghurt, cheeses, extra virgin olive oils and flowers are just some of goods available. Buskers add to the lively atmosphere.
The scenic drive out to Middleton Beach, offers opportunities to pull off the road and enjoy the beautiful seascape. Take in King George Sound with Gull Rock, Michaelmas and Breaksea Islands and Bald Head. Middleton Beach and Ellen Cove are fine swimming beaches with picnic, barbecue and playground facilities. The Middleton Beach Board Walk meanders around the coast from Ellen Cove, whales can often be seen from here between July and October. Golfers will enjoy playing on the Albany Golf Course which is situated at Middleton Beach and overlooks the ocean.
Albany’s past has been carefully restored and preserved, and is now on display to educate, amaze and entertain visitors of all ages. The old whaling station has been transformed into a fascinating museum and information centre that is well worth a visit. At Whale World, visitors can climb aboard the Cheynes IV Whale Chaser. It is not uncommon to see whales breaching and playing only a few hundred metres from the station, where they once were harvested.
The impressive ship on the Albany harbour foreshore is a full-scale replica of the Brig Amity - the ship that brought the first settlers and convicts to Albany in 1826. Get on board, go below decks and follow the story of the Amity’s journey from Sydney to King George Sound.
The Old Gaol, which was built by convicts as their own prison, is today an interesting museum. Also worth a visit is the restored wattle and daub Patrick Taylor Cottage from 1831, considered the oldest building in Albany.
Another fascinating historical attraction is the Princess Royal Fortress. Built on King George Sound, it is one of a series of forts constructed around the coast to defend against invasion by the Russians or French at the end of the 1800’s. Two gun batteries were hidden in the Mount Adelaide hillside and a nearby barracks housed a small garrison. The former Military institute has been refurbished as a visitors centre and tearoom.
Just six kilometres from the town centre is the Albany Wind Farm, one of Australia’s biggest with twelve of the largest wind turbines in the Southern Hemisphere. The rugged coastline on which these turbines are perched is a sight not to be missed.
Torndirrup National Park is only a 15-minute drive from Albany. It is best known for the ‘Natural Bridge’, a rock formation sculpted into a bridge shape by the treacherous seas of the Southern Ocean. Nearby is another spectacular site ‘The Gap’, a 24-metre drop to the sea where the ocean rushes into a large cavern in the rocks.
Stoney Hill Lookout offers 360 degree views of the Southern Ocean and back to the city of Albany. During spring you can see coastal wildflowers which form a colourful blanket along the cliffs. From many vantage points along the cliff tops, seals can be seen playing in the waters below. Whale watching is also a popular attraction from here, and can be land-based or on boat tours that leave from Albany.
King George Sound is home to the spectacular dive wreck, the former HMAS Perth. The purpose-sunk wreck has been here since 2001, and provides a wonderful opportunity for marine enthusiasts to explore. It has already become home to many species of fish and marine life, and is easily accessible to divers and snorkellers.
Emu Point and Oyster Harbour are great for boat-owners, sailboarders and swimmers. The calm, shallow waters of Emu Point are ideal for children, and popular for fishing. River cruises and deep sea fishing charters depart the Emu Point Marina. As the name suggests, Oyster Harbour is used for oyster and mussel farming.
Two Peoples Bay is famous for its small colony of noisy scrub birds which were thought to be extinct until they were re-discovered in 1961. The nature reserve features a new Interpretive Centre with a great deal of information for the avid nature lover. There are some beautiful walks at the breathtaking Little Beach and Waterfall Beach.
Art and culture is also an important part of the visitor experience. Albany hosts a number of festivals, exhibitions and fairs to celebrate occasions and lifestyles, such as the onset of the wildflower season, fine wine, music, art and literature. Wineries, cafes and art galleries complete the areas cultural offerings.
Albany is the perfect place to base your self, and explore the rest of the region. There are wineries of the Great Southern Wine Region, mountains, forests, canola fields and dramatic coastal scenery all within 15 to 60 minutes of the city.