Albany Western Australia trip: coast, forts and whales

An Albany Western Australia trip starts with a long drive south, because Albany is 421 km from Perth by road and the trip takes about 4 hours 35 minutes, according to the Albany visitor centre. Once you arrive, the town offers three big things in a small area: the National Anzac Centre, the wild granite coast of Torndirrup National Park, and some of the best whale watching in the state.

This guide covers how to get there, what to see, when to go and a simple plan for a long weekend.

Sources for this section: Albany Visitor Centre, Getting Here.

How to get to Albany

Most visitors drive. The Albany Visitor Centre gives the distance from Perth as 421 km and the drive time as about 4 hours 35 minutes. The road is mostly a single carriageway, so plan for a break or two.

• By car: the most flexible option, and useful once you want to reach the coast.
• By bus: TransWA runs a Perth to Albany service, with about 11 buses a week. The fastest takes around six hours.
• By air: Regional Express flies from Perth Airport to Albany Airport. The flight takes about 1.25 hours, and flights run every day.

If you fly or take the bus, think about hiring a car in Albany. The national park sights are spread out along the coast.

Sources for this section: Albany Visitor Centre, Getting Here (421 km, drive time, bus and air details).

The National Anzac Centre

Albany was the last port of call for the troopships that left Australia in the First World War. In many cases it was the last time the troops stood on Australian soil. The National Anzac Centre tells that story. It opened on 1 November 2014, the 100th anniversary of the largest convoy leaving King George Sound, and was opened by the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand.

At the start of your visit you take on the identity of a real service man or woman. You follow their path through recruitment, training, life on the convoys and the fighting at Gallipoli, the Middle East and the Western Front. At the end you find out what happened to them.

The centre sits inside the Princess Royal Fortress, so you can also walk the grounds, with their gun batteries and old barracks, for free. The centre is run by the City of Albany. It is open from 9am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, and is closed on Christmas Day. Check the website for current hours and tickets before you go. The Forts Store is open 9am to 4pm, and Garrison's Restaurant and Bar is on site.

Sources for this section: Australian War Memorial, Places of Pride, National Anzac Centre; National Anzac Centre, Visit and home pages; Australia's South West, Albany.

Torndirrup National Park

Torndirrup National Park is 10 km south of Albany. WA Parks says wind and waves of the Southern Ocean have carved several natural wonders here. Viewing platforms at The Gap and Natural Bridge are safe and accessible, and the Blowholes spray water up through the rock when the swell is right.

Other stops worth your time:

• Salmon Holes: the lookout view is one of the most photographed on the peninsula, but the beach itself is treacherous.
• Misery Beach: a small, sheltered beach good for swimming, snorkelling and fishing. Australia's South West says it was named Tourism Australia's Best Beach for 2022.
• Stony Hill: a short walk to the park's highest point, with wildflowers in season.
• Bald Head Walk Trail: a hard 12.5 km return walk with big ocean views.

Park entry costs $17 per standard vehicle, or $10 for a motorcycle, unless you hold a park pass. Dogs are not allowed.

Take the safety warning seriously. WA Parks says this coast has a record of people being washed into the ocean by large waves, wind or swell. Stay behind barriers, follow the signs, and do not rock fish here.

Sources for this section: WA Parks and Wildlife Service (DBCA), Torndirrup National Park; Australia's South West, Albany.

Whales and the old whaling station

Albany is a good place to see whales. Australia's South West lists humpback and southern right whales along the coast, and says the best whale watching in the region runs from May to early December. Harbour tours leave between June and August. In winter you may also spot whales from the cliffs in Torndirrup National Park.

The old whaling station at Discovery Bay is now a museum. You can climb aboard the whale chaser Cheynes IV and visit the Giants of the Sea exhibit. It is a plain look at how the town earned its living in the early 20th century.

Sources for this section: Australia's South West, Albany and Events; WA Parks and Wildlife Service (DBCA), Torndirrup National Park.

When to go

There is no wrong season, but each has a strength.

The south coast is exposed. Pack a windproof jacket even in spring, and check the forecast before you walk the headlands.

Sources for this section: Australia's South West, Albany and Events.

A simple plan for a long weekend

1. Day one: drive from Perth, leaving early. Walk the Albany foreshore and see the full-size replica of the brig Amity, which brought the first settlers to Albany in 1826.
2. Day two, morning: the National Anzac Centre and Princess Royal Fortress. Allow a few hours.
3. Day two, afternoon: Torndirrup National Park: The Gap, Natural Bridge, the Blowholes and Salmon Holes.
4. Day three: the whaling station museum, or a whale tour in season, before the drive back.

If you have extra time, Cheynes Beach is a quiet, protected cove about 45 minutes from Albany.

Sources for this section: Australia's South West, Albany; Albany Visitor Centre, Getting Here.

Sources

1. Albany Visitor Centre, Getting Here: amazingalbany.com.au
2. Australian War Memorial, Places of Pride, National Anzac Centre: placesofpride.awm.gov.au
3. National Anzac Centre, Visit: nationalanzaccentre.com.au
4. WA Parks and Wildlife Service (DBCA), Torndirrup National Park: exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
5. Australia's South West, Albany: australiassouthwest.com