10 Great Rides is a guide to scenic road cycle routes for leisurely touring, and more challenging road bike rides.
Our 10 Great Rides take you to some of Albany’s most breathtaking sites, including isolated, unspoilt beaches, majestic harbours, rugged coastline, native bushland and nature reserves.
Cycle around the Anzac Heritage Park and visit the National Anzac Centre. Discover Albany’s history as the first settlement in Western Australia and the traditional home of the Menang Noongar Aboriginal people.
Albany’s weather is perfect year-round for cycling. Plan a half-day leisurely ride and refresh with a swim, picnic or lunch at a cafe or winery along the way. Or bring your road bike and enjoy a quiet ride on Albany’s scenic country roads.
Click on any of the rides below to be taken to detailed information about each ride, including:
City Circuit & Anzac Discovery
Explore Albany on a leisurely ride around Mount Clarence, to Binalup/ Middleton Beach and back to town. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the way. Visit the Albany Heritage Park and the National Anzac Centre. The incredible 360° views from the Padre White Lookout are worth the steep climb.
Start: Albany Entertainment Centre.
Cross the footbridge into Stirling Terrace. Ride along Brunswick Road, Cuddihy Street and on to Marine Drive. Turn left to the Heritage Park, or continue to Binalup/Middleton Beach – with spectacular views all the way. Return to town on Middleton Road. Cross the roundabout and go down Aberdeen Street. Go right at the T junction, then left down York Street and back to the start. There are many attractions close by.
Grade: Intermediate
Distance: 14 Kms
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Highest Point: 140m
Riding Time @ 15kph: 1hr approx
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Frenchman Bay – locals’ favourite
A fantastic ride around the harbour and on to Frenchman Bay. It is a popular early morning road bike route or a leisurely day trip to visit Albany's Historic Whaling Station and explore the spectacular coastline. The return route is through Torndirrup National Park, with optional detours to the famous Gap/Natural Bridge and the Wind Farm (a very steep climb).
Start: Corner Frenchman Bay Road and Woolstores Place, 3 km from the town centre.
Ride through quiet Little Grove and along the Quaranup Peninsula. A detour to Whaling Cove is an option. Turn into Shoal Bay Retreat and follow back roads over the hill to Goode Beach and Frenchman Bay. The return route diverts into Bramwell Road and a quiet circuit back to Frenchman Bay Road and the start.
Grade: Intermediate
Distance: 36kms (excluding detours)
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Highest Point: 130m
Riding Time @ 15kph: 2 hrs 30 mins approx
Riding Time @ 30kph: 1 hr approx
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Back Road Ramble
A pleasant circuit through quiet semi-rural areas on the outskirts of Albany. Take care on short sections on Albany Highway, Chester Pass Road, and along narrow and hilly Mercer Road.
Start: General store, corner Lancaster Road and Albany Highway, 5 km from the town centre.
Cross over the busy Albany Highway, turn right and then left at Rufus Street. Turn left into Havoc Street and follow the map route to Lower King Road.
Before the bridge turn into Norwood Road and quiet country roads back to Albany Highway. Cross over and ride along Link Road, passing a café/winery on the right. Turn left into Lancaster Road and return to the start.
Grade:
Intermediate
Distance:
31 km
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Highest Point:
65m
Riding Time @ 15kph:
2 hrs approx
Riding Time @ 30kph:
1 hr approx
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Aboriginal [Noongar] Heritage
Visit three significant Aboriginal heritage sites, each with information about the Noongar people of the region.
Start: Yorrl Park on Cumberland Road, Lower King.
From Yorrl Park (walkways and interpretive areas), ride along the waterfront, then into Rae Road, Lower King Road and across the bridge. Turn into Morilla Road and ride down Barameda Road to Wattierup/Oyster Harbour and stone fish traps built over 7500 years ago.
Return back and continue on Nanarup Road across the Kalgan Bridge, to quiet Hunton Road. Towards the end of Hunton, go left into Wheeldon Road to the Upper Kalgan Hall and Bridge – another important Aboriginal heritage site. Return to the start.
Grade: Intermediate
Distance return: 31 km
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Highest Point: 80m
Riding Time @ 15kph: 2 hrs approx
Riding Time @ 30kph: 1 hr approx
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Up River to Millbrook
Starting at the Lower King River, this out and back route is on some of the best back roads around Albany. Millbrook Road is a favourite with Albany cyclists. Take care on short Highway sections, which are marked on the map.
Start: Coraki Park, just after Lower King Bridge.
Turn right out of the park and immediately left into Prideaux Road. Turn left into Bushby Road, which leads into Bon Accord Road and Chester Pass Road. Ride west (carefully) for 1 km and turn into Millbrook Road – a long tree-lined road, far away from traffic and noise. The route ends at Albany Highway.
Return the same way to Chester Pass Road. Turn right, then left into Norwood Road, which leads back to Lower King Road and the start.
Grade: Intermediate
Distance return: 44 km
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Highest Point: 88m
Riding Time @ 15kph: 3 hrs approx
Riding Time @ 30kph: 1hr 30 mins approx
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The Cosiest Corner
A pretty ride to Cosy Corner Beach via quiet roads in Robinson and Grasmere. A Southwest wind sometimes provides a tailwind on the way back.
Start: Corner Frenchman Bay Road and Woolstores Place, 3 km from the town.
Turn right off Frenchman Bay Road into Robinson Road, which joins Lower Denmark Road. Turn left through the peaceful ‘Grasmere Elleker loop’. There is a detour over a very steep hill to Mutton Bird Island (3.6 km), a popular surfing spot.
At Elleker, join Lower Denmark Road and proceed west to Cosy Corner Road. It passes a café and leads to a sheltered beach with picnic tables and BBQs under peppermint trees.
Grade: Intermediate
Distance return:6 1 km (excluding detour)
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Highest Point: 36m
Riding Time @ 15kph: 4 hrs approx
Riding Time @ 30kph: 2 hrs approx
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Nullaki Wilderness
A quiet, peaceful ride along the Wilson Inlet, then through the Nullaki Wilderness Reserve to Anvil Beach. It is well worth the drive to the starting point.
Start: Youngs Siding, on Lower Denmark Road.
Ride towards Denmark and after 1.5 km turn left into Eden Road. Follow the road along the Inlet, where you often see Sea Eagles and other water birds. Pass through the gate into the Wilderness Reserve and through karri and peppermint forests to Anvil Beach. There are spectacular views over the Southern Ocean. Turn right along Nullaki Drive to a pretty sheltered boat ramp on the Inlet. Visit Cosy Corner, Mutton Bird Island and other scenic attractions on the drive back.
Grade: Intermediate
Distance return:
41 km
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Highest Point: 52m
Riding Time @ 15kph: 2 hrs 45 mins approx
Riding Time @ 30kph: 1 hr 20 mins approx
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Two Peoples Bay & Little Beach
A long ride crossing two rivers, some hills, and through a Nature Reserve to Two Peoples Bay and beautiful turquoise ‘Little Beach’ nearby. There are picnic areas and BBQs under trees at Two Peoples Bay (and at the Nanarup Beach detour) and a cafe 3 km along Two People’s Bay Road.
Start: Eyre Park, Binalup/ Middleton Beach.
Follow Golf Links Road cycle lane past Troode Street and turn left at Griffiths Street. Ride along Brewster Street, up the zig-zag to Lower King Road, which crosses the King and Kalgan Rivers. Continue on Nanarup Road and turn left at Two Peoples Bay Road. (Or go another 6.5 km to Nanarup Beach.) After 14 km, there is a road to Little Beach, just before Two Peoples Bay.
Grade: Difficult (long and hilly)
Distance: 74 km (excluding detour
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Highest Point: 81m
Riding Time @ 15kph: 5 hrs approx
Riding Time @ 30kph: 2 hrs 30 mins approx
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Long Circuit for the Young at Heart
A long road bike ride, preferably on the weekend when there is less traffic on the South Coast Hwy.
Start: Town Square, York Street.
Ride up York Street and along Albany Highway (shared path available). Just after the big roundabout, turn left onto the South Coast Highway. Ride for 33 km, passing Marbellup and Rutherford Roads (short-cut options). Turn left into Lower Denmark Road to Youngs Siding (refreshments available).
Continue past Cosy Corner and the small settlements of Elleker and Cuthbert, back to Albany. Return to the start via Princess Royal Drive and Festing Street. Turn into York Street return back to the start.
Grade: Difficult (long, busy road)
Distance: 75 km
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Highest Point: 73m
Riding Time @ 15kph: 5 hours approx
Riding Time @ 30kph: 2 hrs 30 mins approx
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