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Albany

Albany

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Albany

CHOOSE YOUR PASS, CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE

Explore Albany and its surrounds with the Great Southern Flexi Pass to save up to 25% on attractions, experiences and tours. Create a customised itinerary of activities to make the most of your time while enjoying significant savings. Learn more here.

The beautiful Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound surround the City of Albany in the Great Southern, a historically significant region of Western Australia.

The Menang Noongar people were the first inhabitants of the area known as Kinjarling or ‘place of plenty,’ often interpreted as ‘place of rain’ due to the high rainfall in the region.

The King George Sound was the site of Western Australia’s first European settlement, settled several years before the Swan River Colony in Perth. Albany’s safe anchorages attracted many sailing ships in the early years of exploration of the Australian coastline. European settlement began in 1826 and Albany grew into a thriving port during the 19th and 20th centuries. It served as a gateway to the Eastern Goldfields and, for many years, it was the colony’s only deep-water port and a place of importance for shipping services between Britain and its Australian colonies.

The waterways around Albany have continued to be significant to the town’s trade, with whaling being an important industry in the early 20th century, and Albany now being a prominent spot to watch migrating humpback and southern right whales along the dramatic coastline. Tours depart from the harbour between June and August.

Historic Albany Sights 

Near the mouth of the Kalgan River admire the ingenuity of the Oyster Harbour Fish Traps. Estimated to be over 7,500 years old, they were constructed by the Menang peoples to trap fish after high tide. Take a tour with Kurrah Mia to learn about the fish traps and other ancient stories of the land.

Albany plays a central role in the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) legend, being the last port of call for troopships departing Australia in the First World War. In many cases, it was the last time troops stepped on Australian soil and is, therefore, a prominent memorial. The first ever recorded Dawn Service was conducted by Anglican Chaplain Padre White (44th Battalion AIF) on 25 April 1923 atop Mount Clarence, and has been held ever since with several thousand people participating each year. November 1, 2014 marked 100 years since the largest detachment of ANZAC troops departed Australia, many never to return. Learn all about Albany with Albany Tours.

The impressive ship on the Albany foreshore is a full-scale replica of the Brig Amity, which brought the first settlers and convicts to Albany in 1826 on Christmas Day. Climb aboard and go below the decks to follow the story of the Amity’s journey from Sydney to King George Sound. 

The old whaling station at Discovery Bay is now a fascinating museum and is well worth a visit to discover the region’s recent history. Climb aboard the Cheynes IV whaling vessel or visit the Giants of the Sea exhibit. It is not uncommon to see the protected whales breaching and playing close to the station, where they once were hunted. While here, visit Misery Beach in Torndirrup National Park, named Tourism Australia’s Best Beach for 2022. Here you’ll find 200m of pristine white sandy beach with impressive ocean blues and stunning vistas of King George Sound. 

Where to stay

Take a look at these places to stay when planning your next visit to Australia’s South West.

Emu Beach Chalets

Self-contained chalets just a short walk to Emu Point in Albany.

Latitude 35º5

A private oasis of sensory perfection on WA’s rugged Great Southern coastline

Acclaim Rose Gardens Beachside Holiday Park

Perfectly located on the bay at Emu Point, Albany.

Cape Howe Cottages

Private cottages nestled in pristine bushland midway between Albany and Denmark.

Albany Holiday Units

Holiday units perfectly positioned to enjoy Albany’s pristine coastline.

BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park

Things to Do

Looking for some inspiration on what to do in the South West? Here are some of our top picks!

The Gap and Natural Bridge

Head to The Gap and Natural Bridge to see the power of nature...

The Gap and Natural Bridge

Head to The Gap and Natural Bridge to see the power of nature in action from a spectacular viewing platform over the Southern Ocean.

Strawberry Hill at Barmup on Menang Noongar Country

Long before European settlement, Barmup was an important campsite and place of shelter...

Strawberry Hill at Barmup on Menang Noongar Country

Scenic Helicopters

Take a Scenic Helicopter flight for the best way to see WA!

Scenic Helicopters

Take a Scenic Helicopter flight for the best way to see WA!

Events

Don’t miss out on these great events happening in the region.

Run Bibbulmun Track Stage Run

16 November 2023 - 16 November 2025
3 day trail running stage race along sections of the popular Bibbulmun Track.

Events

Don’t miss out on these great events happening in the region.

Whale Season

01 May 2024 - 31 December 2024
May to early December is the best time for whale watching and tours in the South West.

Events

Don’t miss out on these great events happening in the region.

Orca Season

01 January 2025 - 21 April 2025
January to early April is the best time of year to join an orca tour.

Events

Don’t miss out on these great events happening in the region.

Albany Anzac Day

25 April 2025
Honour Australian service men and women at commemorative services in Albany – the last port of call for many troops during the First World War.

Events

Don’t miss out on these great events happening in the region.

Southern Peaks

26 - 27 April 2025
Weekend festival in Albany for mountain bike enthusiasts and adrenaline-seekers.

Events

Don’t miss out on these great events happening in the region.

Taste Great Southern 2025

01 - 04 May 2025
The heart of Western Australian food and wine – taste the amazing flavours of the Great Southern.

Other ideas for your trip

Looking for some inspiration on what to do in the South West? Read up on the different experiences and trips for the holiday of your dreams.

How to Find Albany’s Hidden Street Art

Open up a world of unexpected art on this guided walking tour of Albany.

8 Epic Rock Formations to Hike, Climb and Gaze at in Wonder

A guide to the region's visit-worthy natural rocky wonders.

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Welcome to Australia’s South West!

Here you can easily enjoy natural beaches beautiful vineyards, forests, caves and more, all in a single day. More than 23,000km make up the south west corner of Western Australia, with 1000 of those kilometres consisting of awe-inspiring coastline just waiting to be explored.

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