Albany

Albany is a city on the southern coast of Western Australia with rugged shorelines, wide sandy beaches, and open landscapes. The area features cliffs that reach into the sea, calm bays suitable for boats and swimmers, and forests filled with eucalypt trees and wildflowers.

Early European settlers arrived in the 1800s, stopping at the safe harbors before continuing along the coast. The region later became important in Australian war stories, with memorials marking its role in soldiers' journeys to distant conflicts.

Albany sits on land of the Menang Noongar people, whose name Kinjarling means 'place of plenty' or 'rain'. Their connection to the forests, wildflowers, and sea remains visible in local sights and shapes how people relate to this coastal place today.

You can reach Albany by flying from Perth in about an hour and a half, or by driving in roughly five hours. Many visitors rent a car to explore the region at their own pace and discover hidden spots along the coast.

From June to October, humpback and southern right whales come close to the coast, and visitors can often spot them from shore or on boat trips. This regular arrival of these large marine mammals makes the place special for whale watching during these months.