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 Bluff Knoll |  Little Beach |  Natural Bridge |  Middleton Beach |  Dog Rock |  Stirling Sunrise |  The Gap |
The beautiful City of Albany has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and beautiful scenery. The city offers numerous restaurants, pubs, and all the shopping you would expect in a major city centre. A walk down the main street, York Street provides a haven for shoppers, with a historical feel, with Princess Royal Harbour at the bottom as a bonus! Within the city itself are many "must-sees" most just five minutes from York Street.
Dog Rock: On Middleton Road, adjacent to Dog Rock Shopping Centre, you will find this unique granite formation. You can't miss it!
Mount Clarence Lookout: Spectacular views through to Princess Royal Harbour, the City and Middleton Beach. On a clear day you can see the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges. Be prepared for an 88 step climb to get to the top, although there is a disabled access carpark. Check with Albany Visitor Centre for opening times of disabled access: Freecall: 1800 644 088 or see link at bottom of this page!
Mount Meville Lookout: On the other side of town, this lookout, affectionately known as the "Spark Plug" also offers excellent views. Also has a kiosk.(Kiosk currently closed.)
Middleton Beach: Beautiful sheltered beach on King George Sound, ideal for kiddies. Shady grassed picnic area and BBQ facilities. Or enjoy a beer at the hotel or fish and chips on the beach at sunset.
Boardwalk: Spectacular walk from Middleton Beach through to City of Albany. An absolute must on your holiday. A total of 6km in length, it begins as a boardwalk around the cliff face and then changes to a well maintained path. You will love the view and if you are lucky you may see "Sammy the Seal" perched on his rock. Many viewing and rest areas have been provided and there are historical statues and information along the way.(Update: Sammy the Seal now has a memorial in his honour at Emu Point after passing away in February 2006. He will be missed by locals and tourists alike.)
Brig Amity: On Princess Royal Drive, a replica of the ship that brought the first settlers to Albany. Worth paying a couple of dollars for the self guided tour. Gives real insight into life back in the 1800's aboard a ship.
Emu Point: Another beautiful, sheltered beach on Oyster Harbour, great for the kids. Great jetty for exploring, boat marina and cafe.
Torndirrup National Park: Be amazed at The Gap, Natural Bridge and The Blowholes. Continue to the end of Frenchman Bay Road to Frenchmans Bay, the remains of a whaling station and Vancouver Spring. Also well worth a visit is Whaleworld with museum, guided tour of the old whaling station and whale skeleton.There are many other coves and interesting places to explore in Torndirrup, just watch for the signs.
Albany Wind Farm: Located off Frenchman Bay Road. Don't be deceived by the size of the turbines from a distance, you won't believe how huge they are. Stand underneath and experience it. Numerous viewing platforms and walk tracks through this area.
There are many boat cruises, whale watching and tours available around the Albany area. Please see bottom of this page for further contacts.
The HMAS Perth wreck is a must for the divers, and for the non divers, check out the wreck live from the Dive Cam under the ocean! Dive Cam LIVE!!! Click Here! Awesome!
If you feel like being a bit more casual, Albany offers great shopping, gorgeous beaches, horse riding, sailing, three golf courses and movie cinema.
Also popular with the kids are the Deer-O-Dome and the Gemstone Museum. Mum and Dad might also like to check out Albany Distillery on Frenchman Bay Road, or Tanglehead Brewery in town, or The Sandalwood Factory near the airport.
Denmark River: Peaceful and tranquil, ideal picnic spot, or hire a paddle boat if you are feeling energetic.
Mount Shadforth Road: Quite simply, a spectacular drive for those wanting to see giant karri trees.
Green's Pool: Stunning, safe swimming spot, great for all the family. Take your snorkelling gear, and while you are there, check out nearby Elephant Rocks.
Ocean Beach: Beautiful beach well worth checking out.
Mt Barker Tower: Great views over Porongurup and Stirling Ranges from this tower on Mt Barker Hill. It is much more awesome than you think from a distance. When you get there- look up the tower- pretty amazing!
Wineries, Wineries, Wineries: There are many, many wineries around this area awaiting exploration (See wineries link below).
Food: Lots of great places for coffees,lunch or dinner. Try lunch atThe Grocery Store, the Sail Inn Cafe, the Bretzel or the Station House. For Dinner, try a superb meal at Fio's, or either of the Hotels in town for a great country pub meal.
The Old Police Station Museum: Built by convict labour in 1868. A Courthouse was added in 1919 and the main police duties were to have horses ready for the mail coach from Perth to Albany. They also patrolled as far as Esperance on horseback and performed censes duties, weather reporting and mail deliveries When visiting the Museum today, you will see artifacts from local residents, as well as history from it’s days as a one teacher school. Old wagons, machinery and buildings also feature. Open weekends, public holidays and school holidays, and other times by appointment. Children under 12 are free.
The Mount Barker Visitor Centre can be contacted on 9851 1163 or see the link at the bottom of this page!
Bluff Knoll: The third highest mountain in Western Australia at 1073m above sea level. Estimated climbing time is 4 hours return, and is rated a medium to hard climb. (The record ascent is 28 minutes!) Always be prepared for a change in weather on Bluff Knoll, even in summer. Spectacular view, well worth the climb.
Toolbrunup: The second highest peak in the Stirling Ranges. Again a climb rated medium to hard and 3-4 hours return. Heart pounding scale to peak, not for those afraid of heights, but totally worth it. Amazing rainforest at base of mountain part way into climb. Of a similar difficulty level are Mt Trio and Talyuberlup.
Cascade Falls: Along the walk track to Bluff Knoll, relatively easy walk to these falls. Only flows in winter and spring.
Easier Climbs !!: For those feeling like an easier climb try Toll Peak or Mt Hassell. Both offer magnificent views from their peaks.
The Porongurup National Park is a complete contrast to the Stirling Ranges. Here, huge Karri trees and lush undergrowth forest create a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. There are plenty of walk tracks and the peaks are alot easier to get to!
Castle Rock: Sheer granite rock climbed by a ladder and aerial walkway after a moderate climb and boulder scramble. Still hard work, but achievable by most.1-2 hours return. Amazing views to Stirling Ranges and right through to the coast on a clear day. Not to be missed. Near the peak is Balancing Rock, another amazing granite masterpiece. A good climb for kids through gorgeous Karri forest.
Tree In The Rock: Literally a tree growing out of a granite rock. An easy 100m stroll from the Tree In The Rock picnic area on Bolganup Dam Road.
Wansborough Walk: Easy stroll through magificent Karri forest from Tree In The Rock picnic area to Millinup Road. Great for wildflowers when in season.
Nancy's Peak: Medium level climb, beautiful forest, great views to the Stirling Range. Go the whole hog and do the circuit right throught to Devil's Slide.
Wineries, Wineries, Wineries: All along Porongurup Road and across Chester Pass to Moorialup Road are the award winning wineries. Most have tastings 7 days and glorious views. See link for individual Porongurup, Albany, Denmark and Mt Barker Wineries. Please contact wineries direct for more information.
For more information on the Porongurups click here.or telephone the Mt Barker Tourist Bureau on (08) 9851 1163.
For a listing of the Great Southern Wineries Click Here
Various types of art and craft can be found throughout the entire Great Southern region. Some very gifted artisans create in the Porongurup area and are well worth a visit
Lothlorien Studio: 14km on Takalarup off Chester Pass. Dave Taylor's magnificent creations include wrought iron and wood craft. Also a range of mosaics, glassware and pottery from other West Australian artists.Click here to go to the Lothlorien Studio website or telephone Dave and Janine Taylor on (08)9854 3009.
Jarrah Crafts:1.2km down Spring Road off Porongurup Road. Fine selection of beautiful wood crafts.Open daily 8-4:30pm.
Little Beach: Voted the "Best Beach In Australia" Simply superb beach perfect for children and adults alike. Calm and shallow, with lots of rock pools and stunning surrounds. And, it's own very special squeaky sand that's worth the trip alone! In the Two People Bay Nature Reserve.
Two People Bay: Next to Little Beach, this beach is huge, with ample shaded picnic area and BBQ's. Great views to Mt Manypeaks.
Waychinicup National Park: Enclosed between Norman's Beach and Cheyne Beach with it's highest feature Mt Manypeaks. Cheyne Beach offers beautiful swimming and superb fishing. Waychinicup Inlet is especially beautiful early morning and late afternoon where you can catch mists around the peaks. Also check out the Sealer's Oven, at the Inlet, which has been preserved by the National Trust.
| Albany | Torndirrup National Park | Two People Bay Nature Reserve | Waychiniup National Park | Denmark | Mt Barker | Stirling Range National Park | Porongurup National Park |
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| Dog Rock, Middleton Beach and Boardwalk, Emu Point, Mt Clarence and Mt Melville Lookouts, Amity, The Old Farm, Town Hall, Old Post Office, whale watching and tours galore! | Wind Farm, Natural Bridge, The Gap, Blowholes, Whaleworld, Frenchman Bay, Vancouver Spring | Little Beach, Two People Bay | Cheyne Beach, Norman's Beach, Waychiniup Inlet, Mt Manypeaks, Sealer's Oven | Green's Pool, Denmark River, Wilson Inlet, Mt Shadforth Drive, Ocean Beach, Elephant Rocks, Coalmine Beach | Mt Barker Hill, Wineries | Bluff Knoll Carpark, Cascade Falls, Stirling Range Drive | Castle Rock and Balancing Rock, Tree In The Rock, Wansborough Walk, Wineries, Art and Craft |
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Albany Visitor Centre Freecall:1800 644 088.
Mt Barker Tourist Bureau: Telephone: (08) 9851 1163
Porongurup Promotions Association Information on all there is to see, do and stay in the Porongurups.
Friends of the Porongurup Range including Twin Creeks Nature Reserve
Information compiled and photographs taken by Shelley Sypko of Cloud Nine Spa Chalets.
Click here to send Cloud Nine an email.
