Home to some spectacular beaches, this part of Australia combines the beauty of history with the marvelous coastlines and fun filled activities it has to offer, making a complete package for the visitors. The thriving port city of Albany has something or the other to suit your interests, no matter what. Moreover, the city eventually grows on you, making it hard to leave. Read on to learn about the best things to do in Albany, Australia!
If you’re planning a trip here soon, you need the best places to stay. Luckily, the city has the best Airbnb vacation rentals and Stayz accommodations so be sure to check them out.
1. Marvel at various art forms in the Vancouver Arts Centre
Sitting on a heritage site, the Vancouver Arts Centre is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience various art forms. This art center houses workshop rooms and galleries, not to mention studio spaces that can be rented for cultural programs. Apart from the art exhibitions and displays, the Vancouver Arts Centre is also home to different groups dedicated to community arts projects. These groups hold regular meetings and are only too eager to welcome new members!
The center is normally open on weekdays but will welcome guests on the weekends for certain exhibitions.
Vancouver Arts Centre
Address: 85 Vancouver St, Albany WA 6330, Australia
Website: Vancouver Arts Centre
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
2. Buy quality produce at Albany Farmers Market
Nestled in the heart of Albany’s historic CBD, Albany Farmers Market has been providing quality produce to locals and visitors alike since it was founded in 2002. The market is open every Saturday morning from 8am to 12pm. When they’re not browsing through the products from the local growers, visitors can also enjoy a cup of coffee or dine in the calm outdoor atmosphere of the market. The site also features pleasant music, making it a relaxing place to visit in Albany.
Other products found in the market include pastries, jams, sauces, vegetable seedlings, and native plants. Ample parking spaces are also available on site for convenience.
Albany Farmers Market
Address: Collie St, Albany WA 6330, Australia
Website: Albany Farmers Market
Opening hours: Sat: 8am - 12pm
3. Feast at the Taste Great Southern (from USD 131.0)
Nothing ups the whole getaway experience than a culinary journey involving delicious foods and amazing views. While in Albany, join a tasting tour and savor all the cheeses and desserts that you can eat in a day. Divulge in whiskey tastings at a whiskey distillery and enjoy a hearty lunch at a local restaurant.
Taste Great Southern, an 11-day festival, is also a must-try experience for its music events, high teas, and great produce, not to mention award-winning Western Australian wines!
Tasting Delicious Denmark WA
Duration 6 hours 30 minutes
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4. Venture on the Killer Whale Expedition (from 385.45 USD)
Every year, between January and March, the Bremer Bay which is a beautiful, remote habitat becomes a buzzing hub of life as the killer whales appear on the surface. Every journey out to the sea on an expedition has some spectacular sightings to offer and is a unique experience in itself with a variety of other marine species also being spotted. Visitors are advised to dress according to the climate and encouraged to bring cameras. Refreshments are also provided as a part of the trip. In the rare event of there being no sighting, the visitors are also provided a partial refund.
Venture on the Killer Whale Expedition
Price: from 385.45 USD
Duration: 13 hours (approx.)
Visit:
5. Marvel at the beauty of the King George Sound
The King George Sound is one of Australia’s most spectacular natural harbors. The large water body with its inlets and small islands offers majestic views of its surroundings to the visitors on a cruise. The harbor generally hosts ships that arrive for trade as well as local fishing charters which have plenty of opportunities to catch fish.
The King George Sound
Visit: The King George Sound
6. Spend a day among nature at the Torndirrup National Park
Located on the west end, the park is a buzz of activities from walking, fishing to rock climbing. It has numerous lookouts and walking trails with some amazing views and a secluded yet stunning beach. There are also barbecues, shops, caravans and a recreation camp nearby at Quaranup. Visitors can either join a guided tour or walk around by themselves and enjoy some amazing sights such as The Gap and Natural Bridge, the blowholes and sparkling beaches where they can spot whales.
Torndirrup National Park
Address: Frenchman Bay Rd, 6330 Albany WA, Australia
Contact: +61 8 9844 4090
Visit: Torndirrup National Park
7. Gain insight into history at the Albany National Anzac Centre
The center opened for the centenary of the first Australian and New Zealand convoys with over 40 thousand soldiers, set in the Albany Heritage Park. It uses state-of-the-art interactive multi-media displays to provide visitors with an abundance of information about historical artifacts and events. The carefully selected location of the center across from The King George Sound and the dramatic architecture further enhances this audiovisual experience.
Albany National Anzac Centre
Address: 67 Forts Road, 6331 Albany, Western Australia
Timing: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Contact: 08 6820 3500
Website: Albany National Anzac Centre
8. Visit the Gap and the Natural Bridge
From the quiet of the peaceful seas to the powerful surging of the ocean, you can experience it all at the Gap. Visitors to the site can enjoy spectacular views of the ocean, standing on a grated see-through platform designed to match the natural features of the location. It is placed nearly 40 meters (133 feet) above the ocean and extending for 10 meters (33 feet) out from the cliff.
The entire area between the Gap and the bridge is covered with boulders that form a rocky landscape and a boardwalk that offers great lookouts and whale watching spots. A raised pathway also gives visitors access to the car park and the picnic area. While on the way, you can see some rare plants and lichens on the rocky surface.
The Gap and the Natural Bridge
Address: Via Frenchman Bay Road, Torrndirrup National Park, Great Southern Region, Albany
Contact: +61 8 9841 9290
Fee: 12 USD for both attractions
Website: The Gap and the Natural Bridge
9. Camp out at the Big 4 Holiday Park (from USD 194)
Located on the Middleton Beach, Albany’s most popular beach, the place offers family-friendly cabin accommodations, caravan sites, and camping sites in Albany. The place offers free WiFi, a solar-heated swimming pool and hot tub for shared use by all visitors, along with a fully equipped kitchen and a patio/balcony with each accommodation. You could choose from villas, bungalows, and chalets depending on your interest and budget.
Each has on offer a dining setting, outdoor furniture and a lounge area with a sofa, a flat-screen TV, and a DVD player. Some accommodations offer sea views and spa baths as well. A games room with table tennis and a billiards table is also present on-site and there is a kids’ club for the tiny tots. Free parking is available on site.
Big 4 Holiday Park
Address: 28 Flinders Parade, 6330 Middleton Beach, WA, Australia
Website: Big 4 Holiday Park
BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park
Address: 28 Flinders Parade
Accommodates: 8
Parking Meeting/banquet facilities Golf course (within 3 km) Garden Non-smoking rooms Family rooms Games room Free parking
10. Breathe in the waves at Little Beach and Waterfall Beach
True to its name, while the place is small, the Little Beach is a true marvel with some of the most powdery white sand you could see and sparkling turquoise water. Also if you follow the beach around to its very end, you would encounter a little track that leads through the bushes past the boulders. Should you follow it, you’ll arrive at what is a hidden gem, the Waterfall Beach. And thanks to the fact that not many people know of it, you could likely find yourself with little to no company to appreciate the beauty of it just by yourself.
Little Beach and Waterfall Beach
Address: Two Peoples Bay Rd, 6330 Albany, WA, Australia
Contact : +61 8 9842 4500
11. Take a short trip to the Albany Wind Farm
Only 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) southwest of the city center, visiting the wind farm will be worth your while with its beautiful landscapes, several boardwalks, and lookouts in the area. A stroll around the farm also reveals towering turbines and spectacular coastal views. The farm, elevated at 80 meters (262 feet) above the Southern Ocean with 65-meter (213-foot) high turbines, is the perfect place to catch the blowing wind and harness it, thus providing for roughly 80 percent of the power needs at Albany.
Albany Wind Farm
Address: LOT 8141 Sand Patch Rd, 6330 Sandpatch, WA, Australia
Website: Albany Wind Farm
12. Take on the Discovery Bay Tour (from USD 97.0)
The tour, available at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, offers a fascinating insight into Albany’s past through stories of men and women whose livelihood depended on whaling industry. Besides this, visitors can also enjoy a helicopter ride to witness a spectacular view of the Albany coastline and the Breaksea Island, a class A natural reserve for the protection of plants and animals. The Whaling Station also has a gift shop with an extensive range of local art and craft items.
Albany's Whale Story
Duration 3 hours 30 minutes
There's plenty more to do!
There are plenty of things to do waiting for you in Albany, Australia. For a great night out, you could go and catch a show at the Albany Entertainment Centre. The place has a spectacular waterfront location and plays host to various events all throughout the year. Moreover, Albany is also the ideal place for bike riders with various trails taking you to explore untouched and unspoiled beaches, native bushland, and reserves.