'''Albany''' is a port city on south coast of Western Australia, 400 km south of Perth, the state capital. It is situated on Princess Royal Harbour, a natural inlet of the Southern Ocean, 5 km east west and 3 km north south. Exports are grains, and woodchips. Imports are mainly raw materials for the production of fertilizers. The population is approximately 30,000. Albany is actually the oldest continuous settlement in Western Australia, and was founded in 1826, three years before Perth. Until the construction of Fremantle Port in 1897, Albany was the only deepwater port in Western Australia. Unlike nearly all of Western Australia, Albany is cool and wet, with a Mediterranean climate. It receives an average of 942 mm of rainfall per annum and its average summer temperature is only 22.4__C. Information is available from the City of Albany web site [http://www.albany.wa.gov.au/].
Get in
By car
The direct route on the Albany Highway from Perth is around 4 hours drive, on single carriageway road with 110km/hr speed limit. There are overtaking lanes every 5-10km or so. There is not much in the way of tourist attractions on this road, and the more scenic routes add significant additional kilometres and time to the trip. Most (all?) car hire in Perth has kilometre limits per day, beyond which excess kilometre charges apply.
By bus
Transwa [http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/Default.aspx] offers daily services to Albany. Coaches arrive and depart from the tourism information centre, which also makes bookings and sells tickets. Passenger trains no longer run to Albany.
By air
'''Albany Airport''' is 10km North of Albany on Albany Hwy. There are daily flights from Perth with Skywest. Tel: +61-8-9841-9208.
By ship
Some cruise ships include Albany on their itinerary.
Get around
By foot
Central Albany, including the historical precinct, shopping area, and port are within walking distance of each other. However, the Middleton beach area is a few kilometres away from this area.
By bicycle
There is a practical cycleway network connecting the areas of Albany, and several bicycle hire places in town. In particular the historical area, shopping precinct, Middleton Beach and Emu Point are all linked by a waterfront off-road cycleway.
By car
To get to Whaleworld and the surrounding national parks and other features, you will need have a car, or take a bus tour.
See
'''Albany Convict Gaol''' - corner of Stirling Terrace & Parade Street. Tel: +61-8-9841-5403. Restored complex of men_fs cell blocks and some warders' quarters, built in 1852 for Imperial convicts shipped to WA as artisans and skilled labourers. This is also the town's main museum with extensive historic presentations of the local area including maps, photographs, interesting Aboriginal artifacts, and relics from the penal colony days. Open daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. Special night tours are also available on Fridays and Saturdays.
'''Residency Museum''' - near Stirling Terrace. Originally built as a store in the 1850s but converted into the Government Residency from 1873-1953. Open from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday and from 2 pm to 5 pm on Sundays. See the jaws of a white pointer shark and the huge rotating lens from the old Eclipse Lighthouse.
'''Albany Public Library and Information Service''' - York Street. Tel: +61-9841-9390. Also offers internet access.
'''Albany Tourist Information Centre''' - at the Old Railway Station on Proudlove Parade. Tel: +61-8-9841-1088.
'''Albany Town Hall Theatre''' - York Street. Tel: +61-8-9841-1661. Plays, concerts, musicals of all kinds, located in one of Western Australia's oldest buildings.
'''Albany Wind Farm''' [http://www.verveenergy.com.au/mainContent/sustainableEnergy/ourSustainableEnergyPortfolio/Albany_Wind_Farm.html] - 12km south-west of the city centre. Worth a visit even if you are not into windmills. Twelve 1800kW wind turbines supply a large percentage of Albany's electrical requirements. The Wind Farm is open every day of the year. There is a large car-parking area, extensive network of boardwalks with views over the southern ocean. There is artwork and information panels containing profound statements as you admire the view. The '''Bibbulmum Track''' passes through the area, and there is a staircase down the cliff to the ocean. Entry is free.
'''Brig Amity Replica''' - located in the Albany Historical Precinct, off Princess Royal Drive. Tel: +61-8-9841-5403. Replica of the Brig Amity (built in 1975) which brought Albany's first settlers from Sydney in 1826. Open daily. There is an honour box to pay entry fee onto the ship.
'''Old Post Office Building''', Stirling Terrace. Historic former customs and bond store, with the middle level being a sorting area and post office. The spiral staircase in the tower is magnificent, and the building now houses restaurants, a weaver and a museum.
'''Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum''', 39 Duke Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-6174. Wattle and daub home, built circa 1832, the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia. Open daily.
'''The Princess Royal Fortress''', Forts Road (''off Marine Drive''), Tel: +61-8-9841 9333, [http://www.forts.albany.wa.gov.au/]. The Princess Royal Battery currently functions as a tourist destination and provides an insight into the site and Australian military history generally. Apart from the many exhibits and displays, the site incorporates a small shop and tearooms for visitors; a function centre; and a covered area with barbecues and tables.
'''Vancouver Arts Centre''', Vancouver Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-9260. Housed in the former Albany Cottage Hospital, a heritage-listed building built in 1887, the VAC is a focal point for all forms of the arts in the Albany area.
'''Whale World''', Tel: +61-8-9844-4021, [http://www.whaleworld.org/]. Situated on the site of the old Cheynes Beach Whaling Station, closed in 1978. Includes 'Whalers Galley Cafe-Restaurant,' whale-orientated museum with 20 different exhibits including _eGiants of the Sea_f whale skeleton display, 3D whale movies, souvenir shop and visits to the 'Cheynes IV' an actual former whaling ship, tied up next to the museum.
Do
'''Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre''', Barker Road, Tel: +61-8-9841-2788. Gymnasium for fitness activities, swimming (including swimming lessons), aquarobics, basketball, netball, volleyball, indoor soccer, tennis, indoor hockey, badminton, rollerblading, climbing wall, creche for minding children, activities for seniors, plus Jamma's Cafe. Open daily.
'''Albany Historic Town Trails''' - Two walks which visit 39 places of significant historical interest within a 2 km radius of central business district. One starts from the Gaol and the other from Stirling Terrace. Free maps area available from the tourist information centre.
'''Albany Whale Tours''', 41 Shelley Beach Road, Tel: +61-8-9845-1068. Whale watching and habour cruises.
'''Bibbulmun Track''', [http://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au]. Long distance walking path running from Kalamunda, east of Perth, to Albany, a distance of 963 km. (The name comes from the Bibbulmun, or Noongar people.) There is also a parallel bicycle trail, called the '''Munda Biddi Trail''', for part of the distance.
'''Desert Mounted Corps War Memorial''' - originally located at Port Said in Egypt, unveiled by Prime Minister 'Billy' Hughes in 1932. Shipped back to Australia in 1959. Good views from this point.
'''Mount Clarence Trails''' - from the War Memorial at the end of Apex Drive around the edges of Mount Clarence. Views of the harbour and the town.
'''Quaranup Point Possession Trail''' - 1.6 km walk from Albany's old Quarantine Station to Point Possession where George Vancouver claimed the whole of Western Australia for Great Britain. It is located on the far side of Princess Royal Harbour on the way out to Torndirrup National Park.
Buy
'''Albany Farmers Market''', [http://www.albanyfarmersmarket.com.au/]. Newly re-located to Collie Street. Held every Saturday morning.
Eat
'''Adelaides Restaurant''', Forts Road, Tel: +61-8-9842-1090.
'''Al Fornetto Ristorante & Pizzeria''', York Street, Tel: +61-8-9842-1060.
'''Albany Dog Rock Motel Restaurant & Function Centre''', Middleton Road, Tel: +61-8-9841-1400,[http://www.dogrockmotel.com.au/].
'''Bangkok Rose''', 112 York Street, Tel: +61-8-9842-2366.
'''Bar Cino''', 338 Middleton Loop. Wireless internet hotspot, famous coffee, juice bar, licenced cafe restaurant. Caters for vegetarians. Open for breakfast and lunch daily except Sundays.
'''Bay Merchants Gourmet Deli''', near the beach on Adelaide Crescent, Tel: +61-8-9841-7821. Great coffee using local milk from the Ravenhill Dairy and fresh roasted coffee from the Naked Bean. Homemade cakes, biscuits and gourmet lunches. Open daily from 6:30 am until 6 pm.
'''Beachside Middleton Beach Restaurant''', Flinders Parade, Tel: +61-8-9841-7733.
'''Black Duck Gourmet Pantry''', 34 Peels Place. Tel: +61-8-9842-1433, [http://www.blackduckpantry.com.au/]. Handmade chocolates, hampers, jams & marmalade, tea & coffee, wines, etc.
'''Cafe Sails''', near the roundabout at the top end of York Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-5566. Baked in-house gourmet food, cakes and slices, gourmet lunches. Open Monday to Friday from 8 am until 5 pm.
'''Cafe Sidamo''', Peels Place, Tel: +61-8-9841-1815. Freshly roasted coffee, gourmet food plus cakes and slices. Open from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm; and Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm for breakfast & lunches. Closed Sundays.
'''CBD Central Cafe''', York Street, Tel: +61-8-9842-9551. Open for lunch and dinner. 9 am until 8 pm Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. 9 am until late Wednesday through Saturday.
'''Classics Cafe''', Adelaide Crescent, Tel: +61-8-9842-1281.
'''Cosis Cafe''', corner of York Street and Peels Place, Tel: +61-8-9841-7899. Indoor booths and tables, or busy outdoor alfresco square on York Street. Coffee and cakes as well as an extensive lunch and breakfast menu. Open daily until 5 pm.
'''Dylans On The Terrace Restaurant''', 82-84 Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-8720, [http://www.dylans.com.au/]. Overlooking Princess Royal Harbour. Breakfast served all day. Excellent coffee. Open daily from 7am until late. In business since 1987.
'''Earl of Spencer Historic Inn''', corner of Earl Street & Spencer Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-1322, [http://www.earlofspencer.com.au/index.html]. One of the oldest taverns in Western Australia (since 1874). Four open fires and heritage decor. Light snacks, homemade pies or large country main meals. Open all day. Al fresco dinner in warmer months. Resident ghost.
''' Endeavour Restaurant''', Albany Hwy, situated at Banksia Gardens Resort Motel, open Monday to Saturday from 6:30pm, Tel: +61-8-9842-4111
'''Genevieves Restaurant''', Adelaide Crescent, Tel: +61-8-9842-1711. (no longer open as The Esplanade Hotel has been demolished)
'''Golden Town Restaurant & Takeaway''', corner of Aberdeen Street & Frederick Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-8038.
'''Goshu-ya Japanese Restaurant''', 1 Mermaid Avenue, Emu Point, Tel: +61-8-9844-1111. Traditional Japanese menu with views over Emu Point. Traditional sushi, meat and rice dishes. BYO, snacks and seafood. Open from 10am until late.
'''Hands On Cafe''' - Stirling Terrace Opposite Old Post Office. Open W,Th from 5:30PM until late; Fr 12PM-3PM & from 5:30PM until late; and Sa,Su 9AM-2PM & from 5:30PM until late. Closed M,Tu.
'''Harvest Moon Vegetarian Restaurant''', Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-8833. Various filled foccacias and curries to suit vegetarian needs. Homemade cakes and slices. Open from 10 am until 5 pm Monday to Wednesday; and Thursday from 10 am until 8 pm; Friday from 10 am until 6 pm; and Saturday from 11 am until 4:30 pm. Closed Sundays.
'''Kooka's Restaurant''', Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-5889.
'''Lavender Cottage Restaurant''', Peels Place, Tel: +61-8-9842-2073. Historic cottage in the centre of town with French ambience and cuisine. Morning and afternoon teas with homemade cakes & lunches. Open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm; and Friday night for dinner from 6:30 pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
'''Leonardo's Ristorante''' - Stirling Terrace. Tel: +61-8-9841-1732. Gourmet Italian menu. Open Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 pm until late.
'''Moby Dick's Fish & Chips''', 60 South Coast Highway, Tel: +61-8-9841-6142.
'''Monet_fs Cafe''', at Middleton Beach, Tel: +61-8-9842-6900. Morning and afternoon teas and lunch. Cakes and coffee in a courtyard garden. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 8 am until 5 pm; Friday and Saturday night dinner from 6 pm until late. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
'''Naked Bean Coffee Bean Coffee Roasters''', Sanford Road opposite the Post Office. Tel: +61-8-9841-4225. Many blends of coffee, cakes and slices. Open Monday to Friday from 8 am until 5 pm. Located a bit out of town towards Perth.
'''Nonna's Brasseria''', York Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-4626. Gourmet Italian food. Open from 11 am until late on weekdays and from 5 pm until late on Saturdays. Closed Sundays.
'''O`Ba-San Sushi Bar''', York Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-6820. Japanese take-away food. Open daily.
'''Penny Post Restaurant''', 33 Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-1045.
'''Poppie's Cafe''', Mews Arcade on York Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-7595. Morning and afternoon tea and light lunches. Closed Sundays.
'''Rookley_fs Gourmet Cafe''', Peels Place, Tel: +61-8-9842-2236. Al fresco gourmet dining. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm (winter) & 9 am to 5 pm (summer). Closed Sundays.
'''Rustlers Steak House''', Frederick Street, Tel: +61-8-9842-2454. Wood-fire-heated outdoor dining area. Varied menu including steaks, seafood and vegetarian items. Kid's menu. Open 5 pm until late.
'''Shells Restaurant''', Albany Highway, Tel: +61-8-9841-4144. Open daily from 6:30 pm.
'''Sonatas on Serpentine Restaurant''', Serpentine Road, Tel: +61-8-9842-5772.
'''Stirling Terrace Book Cafe''', Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-4611. Range of gourmet tea and coffee options and a cafe menu. Large range of books. Open 9 am until 5 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am until 12 noon on Saturday. Closed Sundays.
'''The Curry Pot''', 38 Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9842-9399.
'''The Dining Room''', York Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-1544.
'''Three Plenties Palace Restaurant''', 148 York Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-4121. Chinese food.
'''Venice Pizza Bar & Restaurant''', 179 York Street, Tel: +61-8-9842-3978. All day menu including traditional-style Italian pizzas and cuisine, seafood, fresh filled rolls and pastas & delicious home made cakes. Open from 9:30 am till late, six days a week. Closed Sunday.
'''Whalers' Gallery Restaurant''', ''at Whaleworld'', but you don't have to pay the admission to eat there. Nice views of the water. Burgers, seafood platters, dips and kids meals. Tel: +61-8-9844-4347.
'''Wild Duck Restaurant''' - Lower York Street. Tel: +61-8-9842-2554. French nouvelle cuisine. Dinners only, W-Su.
York Street Cafe. 61-8-9842-1666. Contemporary Australian food with great coffee & service. A true sidewalk cafe. Bring your own wine, beer.
Drink
'''Albany Hotel''', York Street, Tel: +61-8-9842-3337. Street-side bar right in the centre of town with sheltered outdoor al fresco area. Counter meal menu, plus coffees, as well as a large range of local and international beers. Open daily.
'''London Hotel''', Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-1048.
'''Premier Hotel''', Lower York Street, (Part of CBC Central Cafe.) Tel: +61-8-9841-11544. Open daily.
'''Tanglehead Brewery''' [http://www.tanglehead.com.au] , Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-1733. Modern micro brewery with 4-6 brewed. A tasting selection of 4 beers available for $10. Restaurant open daily for lunch from 12 noon until until 2:30pm. Then dinner from 6 pm until late, but food is available in the bar outside those times. Serves local produce and locally ground Naked Bean coffee.
Sleep
'''Acacia Grove Holiday House''', 3 Greeble Street at Emu Point, Tel: +61-8-9761-7506.
'''Ace Motor Inn''', 314 Albany Highway, Tel: +61-8-9841-2911, [http://www.acemotorinn.com.au/]. 54 units, unlicensed restaurant. Approximately $75-85 per night. 3.5 stars.
'''Albany Apartments''', 27 Albany Highway, Tel: +61-8-9841-5259. Self-contained apartments.
'''Albany Backpackers Lodge''', Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-8848. Budget accommodation.
'''Albany's Cruize-Inn''', 122 Middleton Road, Tel: +61-8-9842-9599, [http://www.cruizeinn.com/]. Self-contained house with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen and dining area, modern laundry and a spacious living area with island style BYO bar, piano and tile fire.
'''Albany Dog Rock Motel Restaurant & Function Centre''', Middleton Road, Tel: +61-8-9841-1400, [http://www.dogrockmotel.com.au/]. Internet available. Price range of rooms from $86 to $189.
'''Albany Gardens Holiday Resort''', 22 Wellington Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-4616, [http://www.albanygardens.com.au/]. Variety of self-contained deluxe units, holiday units, and chalets. Caravan and motor home sites, grassed, with double concrete pads, drive-thru, in garden settings. Ensuite powered sites, powered sites and unpowered sites. Communal showers and toilets. Laundry. (Formerly known as the 'Mt Melville Caravan Park.')
'''Albany Happy Days Caravan Park''', Lot 21, Millbrook Road, Tel: +61-8-9844-3267, [http://www.albanycaravanpark.com/]. Ensuite cabins, spa chalets, onsite caravans, grassed van & tent sites. Shop, laundry facilities, canoe hire.
'''Albany Harbourside''', 8 Festing Street, Tel: +61-8-9842-1769. Self-contained apartments.
'''Albany Tourist Village''', 550 Albany Highway, Tel: +61-8-9841-3752. On-site vans and powered sites. No dogs.
'''Amity Motor Inn''', 234 Albany Highway, Tel: +61-8-9841-2200, [http://www.amitymotorinn.com.au/]. 40 air conditioned units plus restaurant and swimming pool.
'''Balnearie Seaside Resort Serviced Apartments''', 27 Adelaide Crescent, Tel: +61-8-9842-2877.
'''Banksia Gardens Resort Motel/Apartments''', 212 Albany Highway, Tel: +61-8-9842-4111, [http://www.banksiagardens.com.au/]. Serviced apartments, located a short drive to Albany city centre & Middleton Beach. One, two or three bedroom suites with landscaped gardens. Includes 'Endeavour Restaurant.'
'''Bayview YHA Hostel''', 49 Duke Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-3949.
'''Big Grove Bed & Breakfast''', Lot 10, Panorama Road, Tel: +61-8-9844-4423.
'''Channel Retreat''', 3 Mermaid Avenue, Tel: +61-8-9844-8100. Apartments.
'''Cheyne Beach Caravan Park''', Cheyne Beach, Tel: +61-8-9846-1247.
'''Cosy Corner Eco Village''', 9377 Cosy Corner Road at Torbay, Tel: +61-8-9845-1065.
'''Country Manor Inn''', 369 Albany Highway, Tel: +61-8-9841-1177.
'''Devines Bed & Breakfast''', 20 Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-8050.
'''Discovery Inn Backpackers & Guesthouse''', 9 Middleton Road, Tel: +61-8-9841-3160. Budget accommodation.
'''Dolphin Lodge Holiday Units''', 1 Golf Links Road at Middleton Beach, Tel: +61-8-9841-6600.
'''Emu Beach Caravan Park''', at Emu Point, Tel: +61-8-9844-1147.
'''Emu Point Motel''', located at the corner of Medcalf Avenue and Mermaid Avenue at Emu Point, Tel: +61-8-9844-1001, [http://www.emupointmotel.com.au/]. 27 air conditioned rooms, suites and studio apartments.
'''Flinders Park Lodge Guesthouse''', corner of Harbour Road & Lower King Road, Tel: +61-8-9844- 7062.
'''Foreshore Apartments''', 4/81 Proudlove Parade, Tel: +61-8-9842-8800.
'''Frederickstown Motel''', corner of Fredericks Street & Spencer Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-1600. 36 units, unlicensed restaurant. Approximately $90-100 per night.
'''Frenchman Bay Caravan Park''', Frenchman Bay Road, Tel: +61-8-9844-4015.
'''King River Homestead Bed & Breakfast''', Bushby Road in Lower King, Tel: +61-8-9844-7770.
'''King River Palms Waterfront Caravan Park''', Chester Pass Road, Tel: +61-8-9844-3232.
'''Memories of Albany Bed & Breakfast''', 118 Brunswick Road, Tel: +61-8-9842-9787.
'''Middleton Holiday Apartments''', 180 Middleton Road, Tel: +61-8-9841-4080.
'''Norman House Bed & Breakfast''', 28 Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-5995.
'''Oakview Cottage Bed & Breakfast''', 34 Fredrick Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-4538.
'''Oyster Harbour Caravan Park''', Elizabeth Street, Tel: +61-8-9844-7164.
'''Panorama Caravan Park''', 106 Frenchmans Bay Road, Tel: +61-8-9844-4031.
'''Royal George Hotel/Motel''', 62 Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-1466. Budget hotel rooms plus motel-style units. Counter meals. Beer garden and satellite TV. Views of harbour from upstairs rooms. Price range of rooms: $39 to $74.
'''Ryan's Premier Hotel/Motel''', York Street, Tel: +61-8-9841-1544.
'''Sherrilou Bed & Breakfast''', 104 Middleton Road, Tel: +61-8-9841-4751.
'''The Beach House at Bayside''', 33 Barry Court, Tel: +61-8-9844-8844.
'''The Castlereagh''', 9 Flinders Parade, Tel: +61-8-9842-0500.
'''The Terrace Bed & Breakfast''', 36 Marine Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9842-9901.
'''Torbay Guest House''', Lot 24, Peet Rise, at Cosy Corner Torbay, Tel: +61-8-9845-1327.
'''Valley Pond Farmstay''', 3 Pine Rise at Lower Kalgan, Tel: +61-8-9846-4224. Farm holidays in self-contained stone chalet with slow combustion stove. 30 acre property.
'''View Street Lodge''', 35 View Street, Tel: +61-8-9842-8820.
'''White Star Hotel/Motel''', 72 Stirling Terrace, Tel: +61-8-9841-1733.
'''Woodridge Country Retreat''', Tackenup Road, Napier, Tel: +61-8-9844-3446.
'''Woody Grange Chalets''', 208 Willyung Road, Tel: +61-8-9844-3458, [http://www.woodygrangechalets.com.au/]. 4 self-contained chalets on 80 acres. No smoking. No pets.
Contact
Internet access is available at the library.
Get out
'''Stirling Range National Park''' [http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/national/sites/stirling.html] - about 80 km north of Albany. Rugged peaks rising abruptly to more than 1000m (3281 ft) above sea level, with stark cliff faces, magnificent views and rare plants ranging from tiny orchids and heathland to flowering gums. Most peaks have paths leading from the parking areas to the top. This is the only place in Western Australia to have any snowfall.
'''The Rainbow Coast''' - stretches from the hamlet of Walpole in the west to Bremer Bay in the east, and from Albany in the south to the towns of Kojonup and Katanning in the north. Approaching Walpole is the tree top walk, where you can walk amongst the large red tingle eucalyptus trees.
'''Torndirrup National Park''' - along Frenchman Bay Road, less than a twenty minute drive out of town. Dramatic and beautiful coastline, known for 'the Gap,' 'the Natural Bridge,' 'the Blowholes' and 'Peak Head.' Panoramic views from the '''Stoney Hill Heritage Trail'''. Visit Elephant Rocks and Green Pool for safe swimming, amongst spectacular coastal scenery. Toilets and change facilities are located at some points in the park, but not all. Check the maps, and plan accordingly.