Historical Tour
Pack your walking gear, water, snacks, sun protection and a weatherproof jacket. Start your day with a beachside breakfast at Emu Point Cafe. Take your time to enjoy the beautiful view across the ocean towards the Oyster Harbour.
After fuelling up, jump in the car and head to Albany Heritage Park. The National ANZAC Centre opens at 9 am. Start your tour here. Give yourself a few hours to experience the Anzac legend and immerse yourself in the lives of those who served in the First World War.
Explore the barracks and gun emplacements at Princess Royal Fortress. Take a moment to enjoy the view from the Apex Lookout. If you would like to join a tour, ask the National Anzac Centre when the next will be held.
A quick drive to the other side of the Albany Heritage Park will take you to Padre White and Desert Corps Memorials. The birthplace of the Anzac Dawn Service. Sweeping 360-degree-views of Albany and its surroundings will take your breath away.
Follow Marine Drive around Binalup/Middleton Beach and enjoy another beachfront meal at Three Anchors. After lunch, wander up the Ellen Cove Boardwalk. If you're visiting between June and September, keep your eyes peeled for whales!
The second part of your historical tour is based in Albany's CBD. Begin at the Western Australia Museum. The range of exhibits explores various topics that are bound to interest all.
Purchase a ticket from the Museum for a tour of the Brig Amity Replica. The Amity was the first European ship to sail into Albany waters. When you visit this full-size replica, try to imagine more than 50 men, together with stores, sheep and pigs, sharing this small vessel in a difficult journey taking over six weeks.
Next, Albany's Convict Gaol and Museum, established and built by convicts in 1852. The Gaol museum reveals stories about Albany's settlement, the inmates and the Gaol facilities.
A short walk onto Duke Street will take you to Patrick Taylor Cottage, the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia, having been built in 1832, now a beautiful museum displaying lovely artefacts from Albany's history and a huge display of mostly English porcelain and silverware.
Next on the list is the Vancouver Art Centre. The arts centre is housed in the former Albany Cottage Hospital. Pick up a program to discover the self-guided heritage trail and current art exhibitions.
Finish your historical tour with a classic cocktail at the first licensed premises in Western Australia, award-winning Liberte, at the London Hotel. They also have an extensive wine list, craft beers and delicious food with a French / Vietnamese fusion if you're feeling a little hungry. Before heading home, wander up York Street to see the historical Albany Town Hall, which looks particularly special in the evening.
Lower Denmark Road Tour
Grab some breakfast in town, pack your surfboard, wetsuit, bathers, towel and sunscreen and head towards Lower Denmark Rd. Keep your eyes peeled for Elleker Grasmere Road and follow signs towards the beautiful Mutton Bird Beach. Further along Lower Denmark Road you will see the turn off for Cosy Corner Road, head down and enjoy some time at the beach.
Take a moment to explore a wide range of glasswork, from large architectural panels to sculptural pieces and exquisite jewellery, at Torbay Glass Studio. The next stop is Meleah Farrell Photography Studio on Forsyth Glade, showcasing Meleah's stunning regional imagery.
Head West and turn left at Shelley Beach Rd, taking you into West Cape Howe National Park and towards some epic views from Shelley Beach lookout, a prime launching site for hang-gliders. Four-wheel drives can continue out to the most southern point of Western Australia, West Cape Howe.
Head back towards town, stopping along the way at the many farm gate sales of local produce. Turn left into George Street, continue across South Coast Highway to Link Road to find a certified organic producer, Oranje Tractor Wines. Experiences are available on Sundays or by appointment.
Frenchman Bay Tour
Start your day with a delicious breakfast and coffee at one of our many cafes (head to the Albany Visitor Centre to grab a Dining Out Guide).
After you've filled your bellies, head out towards Frenchman Bay Rd and into Torndirrup National Park. Enjoy a scenic drive to the end of the peninsular and begin your adventure at Discovery Bay.
Explore the world's only Historic Whaling Station. Spend some time marvelling at giant whale skeletons, galleries and 3D feature presentations. The area also includes Australian Wildflower Gardens with thousands of stunning plants and flowers, a beautiful Australian Wildlife Park and the relaxing Whaler's Galley Café.
Discover Australian Wildlife in the native animal enclosure. Get up close and personal with wombats, bandicoots, possums, kangaroos and many more enchanting creatures.
You're probably getting hungry by now? Head to the Whaler's Galley Café for lunch with a view. If you're prepared, bring your lunch and enjoy the view from the free bbq & picnic area in the beautiful native Botanic Garden.
Time to get back on the road, head back towards town and turn left for the Gap and Natural Bridge. The Gap is a 24-metre drop to the sea. Are you feeling brave? The new universally accessible viewing platform allows you to stand right above the powerful crashing waves. The Natural Bridge, a monumental span of granite, demonstrates the sea's awesome power when a heavy swell is running.
Keep heading towards town, turning off for the Windfarm. The farm consists of eighteen 1800kW wind turbines connected to the Albany electrical system and control network. A network of boardwalks and trails leads you right beneath the giant turbines. Don't miss the incredible views of Albany's epic coastline.
You deserve a drink now, and it's been a long day! Pop into the Great Southern Distilling Company For a guided tour of the distillery, call ahead, otherwise enjoy a tasting of award-winning single malt whisky, tiger snake sour mash, gin, vodka and a variety of other spirits.
Head back to town for dinner. There's a variety of restaurants, pubs and bars on offer and takeaway options. Maybe you could head to Due South for dinner with a view or pick up some fish and chips and enjoy them at the Binalup/Middleton Beach foreshore; We have dining out options for everyone. For a comprehensive list of options click here.
Riverside to Seaside Tour
Fill your tummies with a big breakfast at a local café and fuel up for a big day of exploring. Pack your walking gear, bathers, towel, water, a snack and if you've got it, fishing gear.
Follow Lower King Road across the Lower King Bridge onto Nanarup Road. Turn right into Morilla Road, then left into Barrameda Road to find the Wattierup/Oyster Harbour Fish Traps. The Fishtraps are one of the best known and most accessible Aboriginal stone structures on the south coast. There are eight semi-circles of low loose stone walls along the shore. As the tide moved, fish would be trapped inside the course of deliberately placed stones, which would have been topped by brush and small branches so that the local Menang people could collect the trapped fish.
Continue back to Nanarup Road, turn right to travel, and head out to Two People's Bay Nature Reserve following signs to Little Beach. Be prepared to be blown away by the bright turquoise water and white sandy beach. Make sure you find the secret beach Waterfall Beach. A perfect spot to relax for a little while.
Heading away from Little Beach on foot, you may like to follow the Two Peoples Bay Heritage Trail. The trail provides spectacular views across the waters to North Point – the northern point of Two People's Bay. Time permitting, follow the track through to Two Peoples Bay; otherwise, head back to your car.
You must be hungry by now? It must be lunchtime. Heading back along Two Peoples Bay Rd, stop off at The Old Marron Farm to sample some Marron at Little Beach Store. After eating, visit the bird and animal farm, or book in advance and take a one hour Segway Tour of their farmland.
If you are visiting in summer, make sure you stop off at Nicklup Orchard on Moonlight Rd near the Kalgan River and pick up some delicious local, seasonal stone fruit.
Walk part or the entire length of the Luke Pen Walk along the banks on the Kalgan River, one of the oldest river systems in the world.
Porongurup Tour
Fuel up with a big breakfast at one of Albany's many cafés. Pack your hiking gear, lots of water, snacks, sun protection and a weatherproof jacket (in case!). Pile into the car and head out to the Porongurp National Park.
Turn off for Castle Rock and the Granite Skywalk, and prepare yourself for an hour to two-hour hike. Immerse yourselves in the wonder of Mother Nature. Check out the views along the way and the fascinating Balancing Rock. You will have to scramble to get to the tippy-top, but the views from the Granite Skywalk are well worth it. Take your time to enjoy.
After hiking back down, you're going to be a bit thirsty and probably quite hungry! Stop in at Castle Rock Wines and Dukes Vineyard to quench your thirst with beautiful Porongurup Riesling and Pinot Noir. After wine tasting, head to either Karri on Bar or Maleeya's Thai Café for a truly unique food experience, home-style Thai food right here in the Great Southern. Also, take some time to explore Maleeya's bamboo garden and nursery.
It's been a big day, and you'll probably be craving some downtime. Daily sessions run at 2 pm. Refresh, recharge and replenish at The Sandalwood Shop. The Cone, The Gong and the Bowl is an authentic experience of combining Gongs and Sandalwood. Book ahead.
Once you come back into reality, head back to town and relax with a tea at the lovely Kate's Place. When you start to feel a little peckish in the evening, check out the Amazing Albany Dining Out Guide. You will be sure to find exactly what you feel like!