Many of our visitors comment on how they wished they had booked for a longer stay as they discover that there is a lot to see and do in Albany and the surrounding area. For this reason, we have put together some ideas for day trips. You can book a four or five night stay and have plenty to do!
Little Beach and The Old Marron Farm
Little Beach is located approximately 35km east of Albany. It is a beautiful white beach with torquoise waters within the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. There are some nice walks in the area offering some amazing photo opportunities so don't forget your camera. Two People's Bay can be reached by walking around the headland or within a few minutes drive. There are BBQs and picnic areas at Two People's Bay.
The Old Marron Farm is on Two People's Bay Road and makes a great place to stop for coffee or lunch on the way, or return, from Little Beach. The Old Marron Farm offers fresh local produce including marron, yabbies and smoked trout (try out their Farm Feast for Two! as well as homemade cakes/desserts and coffee. They also have a bird and animal park which is home to a variety of native and exotic birds, an animal petting farm, and for those looking for some serious fun, the Segway Adventure Tour. The tour begins with a period of training then will take you off on a journey through the picturesque bush track, field glide and then off to the old sand pit to test out your new skills!
There are other beautiful beaches in the vicinity of The Old Marron Farm; Ledge Beach is approximately 24km from Albany. Boiler Bay is at the other end of Ledge Beach - this makes a nice walk or you can drive along the unsealed road to reach it. Check out the Mount Martin walk on our 'Other things to do' page, this walk starts from Ledge Beach. Nanarup Beach is approximately 20km east of Albany.
Wind Farm, The Gap, Natural Bridge & Discovery Bay (old whaling station)
Discovery Bay is a truly unique attraction, being home to Australia's last operating Whaling Station. You can explore the whaling station's history and/or visit the Botanic Gardens and Australian Wildlife enclosures. Relax and have a coffee or lunch at 'Whalers Galley Cafe Restaurant' which overlooks the pristine King George Sound. Discovery Bay is around 22km from Albany centre.
The Gap and The Natural Bridge are worth a visit if you are planning on driving out to Discovery Bay as they are in the same area and offer some great photograph opportunities! The Gap is a 24 metre chasm to the ocean and when the sea is rough, powerful sprays can be seen. At the time of writing, The Gap is being upgraded to provide an overhanging viewing platform for tourists and this is expected to be completed around November 2015. The Natural Bridge is a granite formation caused by the gradual wearing away of the rock by the Great South Ocean.
The Wind Farm sits 80m above the Southern Ocean and has 18 wind turbines. It is around 12km south-west of Albany centre and is reached from Frenchman's Bay Road. The Great Southern Distilling Company is a short distance from town and en-route to the Wind Farm.
Denmark, Green's Pool, Valley of the Giants - Tree Top Walk
Denmark is around 53km (40 minute drive) from Albany. It is a charming town, located on the banks of the beautiful Denmark River. Denmark offers visitors unforgettable scenery, quality wineries and plenty of other things to see and do. Denmark has become a major wine producing areas, gaining an international reputation for its quality and distinct regional characteristics of its premium wines. Click here to view a list of wineries (also beer, cider and mead producers) to help you make a choice of where to visit. Some of these wineries have cafes/restaurants including The Lake House, Rickety Gate Wines (Kirby's Restaurant & Cooking School), Singlefile Estate, Southern End Restaurant and Willoughby Park Winery. (Check individual websites for directions and opening times).
Ocean Beach is set between the Wilson Inlet and the Great Southern Ocean. It is a few kilometres outside of Denmark along the Ocean Beach Road. The beach is a popular surfing spot and has a lookout to watch the action.
Greens Pool (Elephant Rocks) is 15km west of Denmark; it is a beautiful white beach with calm turquoise waters, and almost completely sheltered from the waves of the Great Southern Ocean.
The Tree Top Walk is located in the heart of the Valley of the Giants, an internationally recognised nature-based tourist attraction. The 600m walk has a gentle gradient and is suitable for children of all ages, and also wheelchairs and strollers. Get up close and personal with the 400-year-old Red Tingle Trees...the giants of the forest! From Denmark, drive west along the South West Coast Highway - around 30 minutes drive.
For further information on things to see and do in Denmark, click here to view the Denmark Visitor's Centre website.
Around Historical Albany
There is plenty to keep you occupied in Albany. You can hire a bike if you'd like to make the most of some of our great cycle paths and see some fabulous scenery. Check out our 'other things to do' page which has details of walking/cycling from Emu Point to Middleton Beach (and beyond). The Forts is a short drive (5 or 6km) from Emu Point, or if you are feeling energetic it is a nice (strenuous!) walk to the top. The National ANZAC Centre is located within The Forts, and close by is Garrison Restaurant which serves coffee/cakes, lunch and dinner (check website for opening times).
Within Albany Centre is The Old Convict Gaol and Museum - now fully restored, the Gaol is a complex of men's cell blocks and some warder's quarters. The Goal was built in 1852 for Imperial convicts shipped to WA as artisans and skilled labourers. Night Tours of the Gaol are operated every Friday and Saturday evening.
The Amity sailed from Sydney on 9th November 1826, carrying a party under the command of Major Edmund Lockyer, who had orders to form a settlement at King George Sound in Albany. A replica of the brig Amity commenced in 1972. You can visit the Amity which is located at Albany Historical Precinct, off Princess Royal Drive. When you visit the full-size replica, try to imagine more than 50 men, together with stores, sheep and pigs, sharing this small vessel on a difficult journey which took over six weeks!
Check out 'What's On' at our Entertainment Centre which is located on Toll Place (off Princess Royal Drive). Have lunch, or dinner at the award-winning 'View Restaurant' which is located within the Entertainment Centre and offers beautiful views of the harbour. Due South is also located on Toll Place, and offers waterfront dining and a bottle shop. Albany has many other cafes and restaurants for you to choose from.
Other places of interest: Albany Peace Park, Old Farm Strawberry Hill, Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany Leisure & Aquatic Centre
Whale Tours - June-October
WA Whale Watching with Albany Whale Tours
- One tour daily, departing Albany Town Jetty
- Cruise around King George Sound, taking in Emu Point, Middleton Beach, Frenchman's Bay, Gull Rock, Breaksea and Michelman's Islands depending on the weather and where the whales may be.
- Qualified, knowledgeable and friendly skipper & crew. Informative &; entertaining commentary from an internationally experienced educator in environmental and wilderness studies.
- Delicious, home-made Devonshire teas, hot coffee and tea included.
- Toilet and hot showers on board.
- Cosy cabin area.
Busy Blue Bus
Busy Blue Bus have Group and Package Tours introducing you to some of the best attractions around Albany and the South West. Click here to view their website for information.