A popular tourist destination on the southern tip of Western Australia, Albany is a place where rugged landscapes meet a stunning coastline, and history comes alive at every corner. With dramatic cliffs and white sand beaches, humpback whales and mountain ranges, you’ll be spoilt for choice with things to do in Albany.
As the oldest settlement in Western Australia, the town’s history is as rich and varied as its landscapes. In just one day, you can explore convict history, Anzac legends, and a gruesome whaling past at one of Albany’s many museums.
From epic hikes to picture-perfect beaches, convict ships to award-winning distilleries, Albany has something to offer every kind of traveller.
No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered with our list of the 15 best things to do in Albany.
Overview
- Climb Bluff Knoll for sunrise
- Get wet at one of Albany’s best beaches
- Board the Brig Amity
- Join the festivities at a local event
- Marvel at nature in Torndirrup National Park
- Go whale watching
- Explore Albany’s rich history
- Grab a fresh pastry from Gourmandise & Co
- Kayak the Kalgan River
- Enjoy English pub fare at the Earl of Spencer
- Stretch your legs on a scenic hike
- Stock up at the Albany Farmers Market
- Tour an award-winning whisky distillery
- Discover ancient culture on an Aboriginal walking tour
- Spend the day in Two Peoples Bay
Climb Bluff Knoll for sunrise
Located an hour north of Albany, Bluff Knoll is the highest peak in Australia’s South West and is one of the most iconic things to do in Albany.
The Bluff Knoll Trail takes around 3-4 hours, and is a challenging incline with a whole lot of stairs and amazing scenery all the way up. It’s best hiked in Autumn or Spring when the weather is milder, and if the conditions are right, it makes for one of the best sunrise hikes you’ll ever do.
Make sure to layer up as the summit is seriously cold!
If you fancy another adventurous hike, check out the Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock in Porongurup National Park.
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
Get wet at one of Albany’s best beaches
The beaches are ridiculously beautiful around here and a day of beach hopping is one of our all-time favourite things to do in Albany.
Goode Beach is one of the rare spots in WA where you can watch the sunrise over the ocean, and Middleton Beach is great for a snorkel and a swim.
Misery Beach was recently rated Australia’s best beach due to its natural beauty and dark history, while Salmon Holes is a great place for fishing.
Head on over to Muttonbird Beach if you’re looking for a great dive spot, or swim over to Shelter Island for a chance to spot little penguins!
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
Credits: Amazing Albany
Board the Brig Amity
We can think of nothing cooler than stepping foot on the convict ship that sailed to King George Sound in 1826 to establish the first settlement on the west coast of Australia. A tour of the Brig Amity will hurl you back in time 200 years and is one of the more unique things to do in Albany.
The Brig Amity is part of the Museum of the Great Southern, where you can also explore an old Settler’s school room, the 1850’s residency building and many more facets of Albany’s history.
Join the festivities at a local event
The locals of Albany love a good festival and it shows. We’ve listed a few of the biggest below but be sure to check their Events Calendar for more local happenings.
Taste Great Southern (May) – 11 days of spectacular culinary experiences showcasing the best of WA’s food and wine culture.
Albany Folk ‘n’ Shanty Festival (changes yearly) – celebrates the heart and soul of maritime culture with pub singing, pirate tales and a range of other free events.
Albany Agricultural Show (November) – similar to Perth’s Royal Show, this fun-fuelled event has sideshow games, thrilling rides, farm animals and plenty of gourmet goodies to fill your belly.
Marvel at Nature in Torndirrup National Park
Albany has an abundance of natural attractions, and Torndirrup National Park is home to a few of the best including The Gap and Natural Bridge and the Blowholes.
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
Witness the power of the Southern Ocean from a 40m high viewing platform as the waves crash into a natural channel formed between the granite cliff face. Then take the Blowholes Trail to see the water gushing through cracks in the granite rock, which sounds surprisingly loud and eerie during high swells.
There is a fee to enter Torndirrup National Park and if you’re planning more travel in Western Australia, it’s probably worth getting a park pass from here.
Go whale watching
Albany’s coast is graced with pods of Humpback and Southern Right Whales from May to October and a whale watching cruise is one of those unmissable things to do in Albany.
Join King George Sound Safari for a whale watching tour in winter, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and seals which can be seen year-round.
If you fancy some old fashioned whale watching from the shore, we recommend heading to Cheynes Beach, Bald Head or Muttonbird Beach.
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
Explore Albany’s rich history
Being the oldest settlement in Western Australia, Albany has an incredibly rich history and an abundance of ways to experience it.
If you like history and you’re looking for the best things to do in Albany, check out one (or all) of these great museums.
Albany’s Historic Whaling Station – the world’s only complete whaling station museum. Immerse yourself in the haunting process of the whaling industry with fully intact equipment rooms, skeletons and historic photographs.
National Anzac Centre – a museum honouring the Anzacs of WWI, this interactive experience puts you in the shoes of an Anzac as you follow their journey from recruitment to Gallipoli.
Albany Convict Gaol Museum – a place built in the 1800’s used to detain English convicts and Aboriginal prisoners, it is said to be home to Australia’s oldest Aboriginal cell art.
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
Grab a fresh pastry from Gourmandise & Co
Gourmandise & Co is a gorgeous little French bakery that serves up the best wood fired pastries in town, making it the perfect spot to spend a slow morning in Albany. The quaint atmosphere and rustic interior will have you feeling like you’re on holiday in Europe.
Cosy up in the corner with a hot coffee and a freshly baked croissant, or chow down on their famous baked eggs followed by some heartwarming rice pudding.
Kayak the Kalgan River
Albany is home to the Kalgan River, which is supposedly the oldest flowing river in the world!
If you’re looking for scenic things to do in Albany, definitely add kayaking or canoeing the Kalgan River to your list. Hire your craft of choice from Albany Getaway Camping and spend the day gliding down this tranquil waterway, spotting pelicans, ducks and even ospreys.
Kalgan Queen Cruises offer daily tours combining history, wildlife and bush poetry, and you can even spot Giant Rays through their glass bottom boat.
Enjoy English pub fare at the Earl of Spencer
The Earl of Spencer Historic Inn is a cosy little pub dating back to 1884 which offers English-style brews and pub grub. Most of the historic charm is maintained in their interior, and with an open fireplace and spacious beer garden, it’s the perfect spot for a dinner and a drink.
P.S. they’re closed Mondays so plan ahead.
Stretch your legs on a scenic hike
We are firm believers that a good view is so much better when you’ve worked for it. Thankfully Albany has a fantastic range of scenic hikes to stretch your legs on.
The Bald Head Walk Trail is one of the most popular things to do in Albany, with 360-degree ocean views the entire way. This 12.5km return walk is considered tough so if you’re looking for something a little easier, we recommend the Peak Head Track for similar views with half the distance.
The bushland and vineyard scenery along the Luke Pen Walk is a nice change from all those coastal views, while the Albany Windfarm Loop mixes wind turbines, rolling hills and ocean lookouts.
Stock up at the Albany Farmers Market
If you’re looking for wholesome weekend things to do in Albany, make sure you pay a visit to the Albany Farmers Market. Open every Saturday morning from 8am until noon, you’ll find fresh fruit and veg, locally caught fish, gourmet jams and chutneys, delicious coffee and hot food.
We suggest stocking up on some seasonal goodies and heading down to the Albany Wind Farm for a sunset picnic like no other!
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
Tour an award-winning whisky distillery
Perched on the edge of the Princess Royal Harbour, the Great Southern Distilling Company offers some of the world’s best handcrafted single malt whisky, alongside sweeping ocean views.
Join their Albany Distillery Tour to watch the master crafters in action before wetting your whistle with some of their famous whisky. If whisky isn’t your thing, they also offer a selection of locally produced gin, beer, and wine.
Tours run daily at 11am and can be pre booked here.
Discover ancient culture on an Aboriginal walking tour
While Albany is rich in historic sites and museums of early convicts and settlers, a trip here wouldn’t be complete without discovering the history and ancient culture of the indigenous people.
Join an Aboriginal Cultural Tour with Kurrah Mia to learn the history of the Menang Noongar People and their inspiring culture which has existed here for over 40,000 years. This is an incredible way to connect with the history of the land, while sampling bush foods and medicines, spotting wildlife, and visiting 7,500 year old fish traps.
Spend the day in Two Peoples Bay
The whole of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is postcard worthy, and a full day spent here is one of the best things to do in Albany.
Swim, snorkel or fish here, before crossing over the headland to the secluded Waterfall Beach for a lovely afternoon picnic.
Credits: Tourism Western Australia
Keen to spend some more time in the south west? Check out our comprehensive Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary to experience all that this region has to offer!
