Explore Albany | Albany Historical Society

Sunset from atop Bluff Knoll, a mountain in the Stirling Ranges National Park, located in

Exploring Albany

The ultimate local guide to Albany and discover why the Great Southern region of WA is on every traveller's bucket list.

It's a region full of limitless wonders, rich history and direct admission to some of the most iconic beaches and natural delights in the world.

We like to keep things personal and when you're exploring Albany and the Great Southern Region, you'll want to explore every inch - just like a local!

Experience Albany and the regions rich history, spanning from the dawn of the first settlement of Western Australia. With majestic beaches and every turn providing a stunning vista, then paired with world-class wines, brews, whiskey's and gins and not forgetting the local passion for food, fresh produce and seafood, you'll see why the region is on every travellers bucket list.

Encompassing the ancestral lands of the Menang Noongar people who have lived in the region for tens of thousands of years, Albany is the first British colonial and Aboriginal settlement, the first port in Western Australia and you can understand why - it's bursting with rich cultural and unique history. Visit the Albany Convict Gaol, Patrick Taylor's Cottage, the Gap and the National Anzac Centre that offers a heartfelt connection to our Anzac's.

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Attractions

Albany provides a vast and diverse environment with the ultimate blend of culture, heritage and adventure based experiences. From historic sites, museums, informative walks, trails and lookouts, you are sure to find interesting attractions to suit all ages.

Cafes & Bites

Espresso, flat white, long black or latte, the only thing better than a good brew is a great breakfast, brunch and bites. You’ll find many cafés dishing up favourites and Albany cafés are as diverse as they are widespread.

Restaurants & Bars

With the regions vast offerings, it's no wonder the food producers, farmers’ markets and dining outlets are stacking up all the awards. Discover the authentic taste of the Great Southern with an abundance of the freshest of farm produce to the daily catch of succulent seafood.

Closed up Banksia Coccinea flowers with leaves and stems isolated on natural out of focus

Wildflowers

The south west of Western Australia is widely considered as a plant biodiversity hotspot and is a haven for earth mother and nature lovers alike. An amazing 79 per cent of the 5700 species are only found in Western Australia and over half are endemic to the south west.

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Beaches

Albany is a mecca for its' beaches and if you’re looking for dazzling white sand, majestic waters with a backdrop of nature, then Albany provides a smorgasbord. From serene and beautiful swimming holes to a marine playground, you're sure to find your own slice of paradise.

Early morning _ sunrise from the peak of Bluff Knoll in the Stirling Range National Park,

Hikes & Trails

Picture a place of turquoise waters and sparkling white sandy beaches, where granite formations tumble to the sea, green landscapes litter your vision and where every turn provides a stunning vista with mother nature on display.

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Whale Tours

Come every May to October, Albany is the chosen safe haven for nursing Humpback and Southern Right whales. Go whale watching in the Sound or if you don't have your sea legs, you may be able to spot one from the shores off Marine Drive.

Wine & Sips

The Great Southern region is known for its’ variety of flavoursome vino's and cooler climate wines with zesty Sauvignon Blancs, soft Pinot's and whiskey's, gins and brews that pack a punch. With so many to sample and sip, reserve a day for a tour and don't forget your skipper.

Customary activities

Aboriginal people’s access to Country is the foundation of retaining a connection to culture and keeping Country healthy.

Aboriginal people’s access to Country is the foundation of retaining a connection to culture and keeping Country healthy, which in effect helps to protect and conserve the value of the land to Aboriginal culture and heritage.

The department supports Aboriginal customary activities on CALM Act lands and waters and regards access to Country for customary activities as a fundamental right of Traditional Owners.

Guide to Aboriginal customary activities on Parks and Wildlife-managed lands and waters