About Albany
Albany, situated 408 kms south east of Perth, is one of the most historically significant towns in Western Australia. The township has more than 50 buildings of great historic interest, many of them faithfully restored and given new life as museums, art centres, restaurants and offices. This together with its rugged granite coastline and close proximity to other destinations such as Mount Barker, Denmark and the Stirling Ranges (one of the oldest ranges in the world), enriches it with rewarding experiences for visitors.
One of the 'must-sees' of any visit to Albany is the natural splendour of Torndirrup National Park, just fifteen minutes south of the town. Here, among rugged coastal scenery, you'll see two of nature's most awesome creations - the mighty Natural Bridge and the narrow, steep-sided ravine known as The Gap. Both have been carved from the granite rock by the massive pounding of huge waves over millions of years. The area is famous for its king waves but as these are extremely dangerous, tourists are advised to view them from a distance. Nearby at the Blowholes, the fierce ocean sends blasts of air gushing up through cracks in the rocks. For contrast, there's the tranquil beauty and turquoise waters of the small inlet called Jimmy Newhills Harbour.
Many different species of native animals live in the varied bushland habitat of Torndirrup National Park. These include pygmy possums, bush rats, short-nosed bandicoots and kangaroos. At the furthest end of the Park are the safe swimming and sandy beaches of Frenchman Bay and Goode Beach.
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The coastline of this region offers many fine beaches for safe family swimming (Ellen Cove at Middleton Beach and Emu Point are close to the town and particularly popular) and good surfing. The fishing in the area is also excellent.
King George Sound and the surrounding ocean is home to whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins and many bird species. Regular cruises take visitors around the coast and out to the islands where seals, dolphins and whales can be seen while Albany’s inland waterways can be explored with smaller boats. To the north and east of the township flow the King and Kalgan Rivers into Oyster Harbour. Further east are the blue waters and sandy beaches of Two Peoples Bay which is a wildlife nature reserve and home to the Gilbert Potaroo and to the rare Noisy Scrub bird, once thought to be extinct, but rediscovered in 1967 and now a protected species.
Golfing enthusiasts will enjoy playing the Albany Golf Club’s professional standard 18-hole links course. Located adjacent to Middleton Beach, it is one of the best links courses in Western Australia. Alternatively, there is the Riverview Country Club, and the course at Little Grove, which has an abundance of kangaroos on the links, or the unique Beau Vista Par 3 in Lower King for patrons of Linscott Studio and Tearooms.
Other first class sports and leisure activities to add to your Albany experience include horse racing at The Albany Racing Club, tennis, squash, ten-pin bowling, fishing and scuba diving.
View the 100 metre high, 12 turbines at the Albany Wind Farm which generates the equivalent of 75% of the power for Albany.
Albany is a focal point for the creative output of the many talented artists and craftspeople that live and work in the region. As such, the town has a vital artistic and cultural life manifesting in galleries, craft shops, art centres and other places where local arts and crafts are displayed and sold. Among these is the Vancouver Arts Centre – a gallery, studio and workshop complex operated by the City of Albany to promote the arts of the region. It is housed in a magnificent historic building, which was first built in 1887 as the Albany Cottage Hospital.
Long sandy beaches and rugged coastal scenery can be enjoyed all year round in a refreshingly mild climate. The many days and sheltered waterways are ideal for boating, diving, sailboarding, water skiing and fishing. Whales were once hunted along the south coast; these days, whale watching is a popular tourist attraction, with Southern Right Whales and Humpbacks to be seen lazing a few hundred metres from shore, usually between the months of July and October.
A visit to the Sandalwood Factory in Albany offers visitors the chance to enjoy the ultimate in relaxation after a free tour of Australia’s only Sandalwood extraction plant. Inside a 16-sided, dimly lit cone, visitors rest on plush cushions as relaxing sandalwood oils are released into the room. The vibrations of a firmly beaten gong reverberate through the cone’s walls and are absorbed by the body. Sandalwood essence and gong sounding have long been considered a supportive remedial tool for self healing and pain management. The showroom at the Sandalwood factory is a shopping experience for both men and women, with an extensive range of skincare and body products, perfumes and therapeutics. There is also a café on site.
Boxing Day 1826 saw Albany established as a penal outpost by Major Edmund Lockyer and his party of convicts and soldiers. This was the first European settlement in Western Australia. It was claimed officially for the British Crown in 1791 by Captain George Vancouver, who landed at Frenchman Bay.
The town overlooks magnificent Princess Royal Harbour, a perfect natural harbour which transformed Albany into a busy trading port, serving as a coaling station for steamers from England and from the original townsite. A whaling station was also developed (the last land based whaling station, now the Whale World museum) and for many years Albany was the international mail depot for Western Australia.
212 Albany Highway, Albany WA 6330
|Bookings: 1800 687 666 | Ph: +61 (0)8 9842 4111 |
Fax: +61 (0)8 9842 5222 | Email