Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Albany Australia

The initial settlement in Western Australia was established in 1826 at a secure anchorage, protected from the challenging Southern Ocean.

Albany resides within a naturally perfect harbor, discovered in 1791 by Captain George Vancouver, and nestled in the contours of the Torndirrup Peninsula.

For approximately seven months each year, humpback, southern right, and blue whales migrate past Albany, which historically supported a thriving whaling industry.

Furthermore, Albany served as the last glimpse of the Australian mainland for many soldiers and nurses departing for the First World War. The reflective Anzac Centre, commemorating this historical event, opened a century after the conflict began.

Stunning coastal vistas can be found along the Albany shoreline, where dramatic granite formations are shaped by the relentless ocean waves.

1. Whale Watching

Once hunted, whales are now a primary point of interest in Albany.

The Great Southern Region boasts the longest whale migration season in Australia, lasting from May to December. During this period, southern right whales, humpback whales, and blue whales travel from the Southern Ocean to breeding areas along the northern Kimberley coast.

As we shall explore, both southern right and humpback whales can often be spotted from the shore.

However, for those desiring closer encounters and expert commentary, joining a tour is recommended.

Consider the eco-certified King George Sound Whale Watching Tour, which lasts for 2.5 hours.

Typically, participants witness a whale within seven minutes of departing the marina, often approaching so closely that binoculars are unnecessary.

2. National Anzac Centre

Situated at the elevated Prince Royal Fortress in Albany, this contemporary museum serves as a poignant memorial to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzacs) of the First World War.

Throughout this conflict, Albany functioned as the final port of call for troopships en route to the frontlines, establishing its unique significance in Anzac history.

The museum, designed in an iconic structure with panoramic views, opened in 2014 and recounts the narratives of 32 individuals, ranging from nurses to infantry members.

The meticulously researched exhibitions utilize films, audio recordings, photographs, diary entries, and numerous documents, guiding visitors through the journey from pre-war life to WWI recruitment, engagement in the Western Front, the Middle East, and Gallipoli, culminating with post-war reflections.

3. Albany’s Historic Whaling Station

The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company operated until relatively recently, with its last catch occurring in 1978. Their station, located on the Torndirrup Peninsula, was constructed in the 1950s and processed 14,695 sperm whales and 1,136 humpbacks over the subsequent 25 years.

With this industry now firmly in the past, visitors can tour the only remaining intact whaling station in the country and the only complete attraction of its kind globally.

Knowledgeable guides provide a 40-minute exploration of the processing facility and converted whale oil tanks, detailing the daily operations at the station.

Afterward, guests can browse historic footage, marine art, and a wide array of whaling artifacts and skeletons, evidencing the substantial size of these marine mammals.

Additionally, admissions to the whale chaser ship Cheynes IV, the Regional Wildflower Garden, and the Australian Wildlife Park, showcasing various native animals, are also included.

4. Middleton Beach

Favored for swimming, Albany’s Middleton Beach features a five-kilometer stretch of pristine white sand, bordered by the low dunes of the Middleton Reserve alongside modest holiday accommodations.

Middleton Beach is characterized by a gentle slope and waves that break far from the shore.

As you relax on the sand, you can enjoy breathtaking views back across King George Sound towards Gull Rock and Torndirrup National Park, as well as the islands of Frenchman Bay.

Notably, the more sheltered southern area includes Ellen Cove, which features a jetty and pontoon for swimmers.

This part of the beach also provides a tiered grassy area for shaded picnics.

Moreover, this location is excellent for observing migrating humpback and southern right whales, occasionally approaching within 20 meters of the shore.

5. Emu Point

Emu Point is located where King George Sound converges with the expansive, enclosed bay of Oyster Harbour.

Serving as both a suburb name and a small cape culminating in a rocky groyne, Emu Point is cherished by families due to its sheltered beach and grassy foreshore.

This tranquil area can be found on the northern side, facing Oyster Harbour, where the crystalline water resembles a lagoon, making it ideal for young swimmers.

A short distance offshore lies a pontoon equipped with ropes marking swimming lanes for those wishing to swim laps.

The shoreline features a crescent of white sand complemented by a sandy terrace, providing ample opportunity to relax under the shade of trees.

Nearby, picnic areas and a café are available, while the Emu Point Boat Sheds cater to boats measuring up to 20 meters.

Emu Point is also inhabited by several pelicans, which can be seen waddling about and diving for fish.

6. The Gap and Natural Bridge

Along the dynamic ocean side of the Torndirrup Peninsula, two remarkable granite formations are situated adjacent to each other, accessible via viewing platforms and walkways.

The Natural Bridge is a large arch carved by the unyielding forces of the Southern Ocean waves, which crash against the headland and surge into the hollow.

A short stroll south leads to The Gap, characterized by a granite channel with smooth, sheer walls eroded by the elements.

From the lookout, you can observe the tumultuous ocean below, where a rainbow may appear in the mist if sunlight strikes just right.

The water bears a dangerous aspect, so it is crucial to heed all warning signs.

7. Albany Wind Farm

Around three quarters of Albany’s electricity is sourced renewably, thanks to the twelve colossal turbines positioned at a height of 80 meters on the Torndirrup Peninsula facing the Southern Ocean.

These turbines, which measure 100 meters from top to bottom, have become a tourist attraction due to their scenic placement along a windswept escarpment, where the Southern Ocean crashes below.

Boardwalks and the Sand Patch Coastal Platform provide breathtaking vistas of the ocean, particularly stunning at sunset, and offer a high probability of observing whales from May to December.

8. Greens Pool

Head approximately 45 minutes west of Albany to discover Greens Pool.

Here, the Southern Ocean is effectively halted by a wall of granite boulders, creating a large pool of transparent waters that spans approximately 550 meters long and 300 meters wide.

The beach features a gentle slope, ensuring even less confident swimmers find comfort.

Remarkably, the water at Greens Pool is so safe that a swim school operates each summer, in stark contrast to the powerful waves observed at the nearby Mazzoletti Beach.

Be sure to bring a snorkel to explore the vibrant marine life nestled among the rocks.

9. Little Beach

An additional captivating location can be found approximately 35 kilometers east of Albany in the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve.

Between two headlands, this stunning crescent of luminous white sand, partially shielded from the ocean surf, is accentuated by two large granite boulders in the center.

Though not fully isolated from the ocean’s currents, Little Beach exhibits gentle waves and enchanting turquoise waters that beckon to visitors.

This remarkable site lies along the four-kilometer Two Peoples Bay Heritage Trail, which commences at the reserve’s visitor center, offering impressive perspectives towards North Point across the vast expanse of Two Peoples Bay.

10. Brig Amity Replica

In Peace Park, located at Princess Royal Harbour, you will find a replica of the notable 148-ton brig that played a crucial role in the European exploration and settlement of Australia in the early 19th century.

The original Brig Amity was launched in New Brunswick, Canada in 1816, and from the 1820s onwards, it facilitated the transport of people (including convicts), livestock, and provisions to colonies, ultimately meeting its demise off the coast of Tasmania in 1845. The vessel reached what is now Albany in 1826 after a challenging six-week journey from Sydney, unloading a small contingent of soldiers and various imprisoned tradesmen.

Within a few years, a port was established, named Albany in 1831. Constructed in the 1970s, the replica was built using details sourced from a local historian, employing methods and materials almost identical to those utilized by the original shipyard.

For a nominal fee, visitors can board the ship, explore the decks through an audio guide, and experience the conditions endured during those lengthy voyages.

11. Museum of the Great Southern

Located at the site of the original settlement by Princess Royal Harbour, this museum explores the region’s Indigenous history, natural history, and European settlement.

Here, visitors can uncover the stories of the Menang and Noongar peoples, learning about their traditional lifestyle and discovering where they fished and cooked.

This location is historically significant as the site declared Western Australia in 1826. It provides fascinating insights into over two centuries of maritime activity alongside the extraordinary diversity of the southern seas.

The museum’s grounds are also rich in natural beauty, teeming with various bird species, King’s skinks, and multiple frog varieties.

12. Albany Convict Gaol & Museum

Delve deeper into Albany’s early history at a preserved gaol established in 1852 for convicts transported to Albany as skilled labor.

Numerous convicts sentenced to transportation during the period from 1850 to 1868 were incarcerated here for a time.

Rehabilitation was a central tenet; once convicts obtained their Ticket of Leave, they were often enlisted in projects like constructing the town jetty and the road to Perth.

The gaol transitioned to a public prison in 1873, expanding to include women’s cells and larger accommodations for the warden shortly thereafter.

By the 1940s, marked unfit for prisoner housing, the facility, then a police lock-up, became a museum after extensive restoration roughly half a century later.

Visitors can explore the site any day of the week and observe captivating relics such as Aboriginal cell art crafted from timber as early as the 1870s.

13. Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

In the 19th century, the strategic value of Princess Royal Harbour prompted the decision to fortify it to safeguard intercontinental trade routes.

Completed in 1893 at the summit of Mount Adelaide, this fortress remained armed until 1956. While the fortress now houses the National Anzac Centre, it offers much more to explore.

Visitors can wander through heritage buildings from before federation and military structures, including the underground magazine, caretaker’s cottage, barracks, batteries, and a repository store, all while enjoying collections of artillery and torpedoes.

The Ellam-Innes Collection showcases numerous artifacts related to both the 11th Battalion and the 10th Light Horse regiments.

The grounds afford stunning views of Princess Royal Harbour, Oyster Harbour, Middleton Beach, and King George Sound.

14. Chainsaw Sculpture Drive

In the nearby Walmsley suburb of Albany, an unconventional attraction awaits to be explored just a short drive into the hinterland.

Resident Darrel Radcliffe has created a drive-through sculpture park featuring intricately designed creations carved from wood using a chainsaw.

Radcliffe primarily utilizes dense, durable jarrah wood, commonly employed in flooring and cabinetry.

Among the many unique works are a chainsaw embedded in a tree, a dragonfly, grandfather clock, violin, pouring bucket, a family of turtles, a bear, an octopus, and various human figures.

A donation box is situated along the drive for contributions.

15. Dog Rock

Located on Middleton Road, connecting Albany with Middleton Beach, is a uniquely shaped granite boulder.

From the western perspective, particularly on St Werberghs Lane, the formation resembles the profile of a dog’s head, tilting upwards, resembling a scent hound.

In commemoration, a collar has been artistically painted around its “neck.”

This rock has held enduring significance, possibly serving as an ancient boundary marker, and is referred to by the Noongar People as “Yacka” (wild dog tamed). Attempts to remove the rock for road widening in the 1920s met spirited resistance, culminating in a heated council meeting.