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City in Western Australia
Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Albany is a port city on the south coast of Western Australia, 400 km south of Perth, the state capital.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Restored complex of men’s cell blocks and some warders' quarters, built in 1852 for Imperial convicts shipped to Western Australia as artisans and skilled labourers. This is also the town's main museum with extensive historic presentations of the local area including maps, photographs, interesting Aboriginal artifacts, and relics from the penal colony days. Open daily from 10:30AM to 4:30PM. Special night tours are also available on Fridays and Saturdays.
It was built as a store in the 1850s but converted into the Government Residency from 1873-1953. See the jaws of a white pointer shark and the huge rotating lens from the old Eclipse Lighthouse.
Also offers internet access.
Plays, concerts, musicals of all kinds, in one of Western Australia's oldest buildings.
Grasmere Wind Farm
Worth a visit even if you are not into windmills. Twelve 1800 kW wind turbines supply a large percentage of Albany's electrical requirements. The Wind Farm is open every day of the year. There is a large car-parking area, extensive network of boardwalks with views over the southern ocean. There is artwork and information panels containing profound statements as you admire the view. The Bibbulmum Track passes through the area, and there is a staircase down the cliff to the ocean.
In the Albany Historical Precinct, off Princess Royal Drive. Replica of the Brig Amity (built in 1975) which brought Albany's first settlers from Sydney in 1826. Open daily. There is an honour box to pay entry fee onto the ship.
Wattle and daub home, built circa 1832, the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia. Open daily.
The National ANZAC Centre was constructed on the site in 2014. The centre concentrates on providing a history of the site as an assembly point for the convoys to the Middle East during World War 1 and tries to give a glimpse of the troops' fortunes during the war. The visitor is given a card identifying a particular soldier which can then be used to follow that soldier's journey through the war. This technique is very effective and provides a moving experience. The rest of the site outside the centre also has many interesting exhibits and first class views of the sound and the bay. The site has a small shop and tearooms for visitors, a function centre and a covered area with barbecues and tables. Half a day could easily be spent here.
Housed in the former Albany Cottage Hospital, a heritage-listed building built in 1887, the VAC is a focal point for all forms of the arts in the Albany area.
Situated on the site of the iconic and (in)famous Cheynes Beach Whaling Station, closed in 1978. The self guided tour of the site includes an inspection of the whaling ship the Cheynes IV, the old flensing and cutting decks and the boilers where blubber was reduced. The audio tour taking you through the process of flensing, cutting and reducing the whale blubber is particularly impressive and gruesome. There are other interesting exhibits and movies and a cafe with good views. The small but well done native botanic garden attached to the site is good for recuperating. A visit could easily take you 3 hours.
A large rock that looks like a dog's head from certain angles - helped by a collar painted on the base of the rock. The locals love it and many businesses close to the rock are named after it.
Gymnasium for fitness activities, swimming (including swimming lessons), aquarobics, basketball, netball, volleyball, indoor soccer, tennis, indoor hockey, badminton, rollerblading, climbing wall, crèche for minding children, activities for seniors, plus Jamma's Café. Open daily.
Whale watching and harbour cruises.
Long distance walking path running from Kalamunda, east of Perth, to Albany, a distance of 963 km. (The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people.) There is also a parallel bicycle trail, called the Munda Biddi Trail, for part of the distance.
Great coffee using local milk from the Ravenhill Dairy and fresh roasted coffee from the Naked Bean. Homemade cakes, biscuits and gourmet lunches.
Handmade chocolates, hampers, jams & marmalade, tea & coffee, wines, etc.
Near the roundabout at the top end of York Street. Baked in-house gourmet food, cakes and slices, gourmet lunches.
Indoor booths and tables, or busy outdoor alfresco square on York Street. Coffee and cakes as well as an extensive lunch and breakfast menu.
Overlooking Princess Royal Harbour. Breakfast served all day. Excellent food and coffee. Open daily from 7AM until late. In business since 1987.
One of the oldest taverns in Western Australia (since 1874). Four open fires and heritage décor. Light snacks, homemade pies or large country main meals. Open all day (closes midnight). Al fresco dinner in warmer months. Resident ghost.
Historic cottage in the centre of town with French ambience and cuisine. Morning and afternoon teas with homemade cakes & lunches. Open Monday through Friday from 9AM to 4PM; and Friday night for dinner from 6:30PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Gourmet Italian menu. Open Monday through Saturday, from 6:30PM until late.
Many blends of coffee, cakes and slices. Open Monday to Friday from 8AM until 5PM. Located a bit out of town towards Perth.
Japanese take-away food. Open daily.
Fish and chips, burgers, etc. Dine in or takeaway.
Morning and afternoon tea and light lunches. Closed Sundays.
Wood-fire-heated outdoor dining area. Varied menu including steaks, seafood and vegetarian items. Kid's menu. Open 5PM until late.
Quasi-Chinese food.
All day menu including traditional-style Italian pizzas and cuisine, seafood, fresh filled rolls and pastas & delicious home made cakes. Open from 9:30AM till late, six days a week. Closed Sunday.
at Whaleworld, but you don't have to pay the admission to eat there. Nice views of the water. Burgers, seafood platters, dips and kids meals.
Street-side bar right in the centre of town with sheltered outdoor al fresco area. Counter meal menu, plus coffees, as well as a large range of local and international beers. Open daily.
Modern micro brewery with 4-6 brewed. A tasting selection of 4 beers available for $10. Restaurant open daily for lunch from noon until 2:30PM. Then dinner from 6PM until late, but food is available in the bar outside those times. Serves local produce and locally ground Naked Bean coffee.
A boutique whisky distillery, producing premium quality spirits using time honoured techniques and traditional copper pot stills.
Brewpub.
At Emu Point.
54 units, unlicensed restaurant. 3.5 stars.
Self-contained apartments.
Budget accommodation.
Internet available.
Variety of self-contained deluxe units, holiday units, and chalets. Caravan and motor home sites, grassed, with double concrete pads, drive-thru, in garden settings. Ensuite powered sites, powered sites and unpowered sites. Communal showers and toilets. Laundry. (Formerly known as the 'Mt Melville Caravan Park.')
En suite cabins, spa chalets, onsite caravans, grassed van & tent sites. Shop, laundry facilities, canoe hire.
Self-contained apartments.
Chalets, budget cabins, powered sites, camping, free BBQ + campers kitchen, dogs allowed, seasonal discounts.
40 air conditioned units plus restaurant and swimming pool.
Serviced apartments, located a short drive to Albany city centre & Middleton Beach. One, two or three bedroom suites with landscaped gardens. Includes 'Endeavour Restaurant.'
Apartments.
At Torbay.
Budget accommodation.
At Middleton Beach.
At Emu Point.
Located at the corner of Medcalf Avenue and Mermaid Avenue at Emu Point. 27 air conditioned rooms, suites and studio apartments.
Budget hotel rooms plus motel-style units. Counter meals. Beer garden and satellite TV. Views of harbour from upstairs rooms. Price range of rooms: $39 to $74.
Farm holidays in self-contained stone chalet with slow combustion stove. 30 acre property.
4 self-contained chalets on 80 acres. No smoking. No pets.
Boutique complex of six self contained two bedroom apartments and one two bedroom townhouse in the heart of Albany, one block from cafes and shops. Each unit has its own kitchen, laundry and quality bedding. Free onsite and street parking.
By coach
TransWA offers daily services to Albany. Coaches arrive and depart from the Albany Visitor Centre, which also makes bookings and sells tickets.
By plane
By ship
Some cruise ships include Albany on their itinerary, however they are very rare.
By bus
A limited inner-city bus service, operated by Love's Bus Service, runs two routes, collectively servicing residential areas of Albany, as well as Middleton Beach, Emu Point and Little Grove.
By foot
Central Albany, including the historical precinct, shopping area, and port are within walking distance of each other. The Middleton beach area is a few kilometres away from this area.
By bicycle
There is a practical cycleway network connecting the areas of Albany, and several bicycle hire places in town.
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Albany · Regional · ALH
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