Discover Albany
Your Guide to Albany
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Discover Albany’s Hidden Gems
Experience the beauty of Albany, Western Australia. From stunning beaches to rich history and vibrant events, explore the best accommodations, attractions, and community highlights. Your journey starts here!

Breathtaking Beaches

Scenic Hiking Trails

Historic Landmarks

Local Events & Festivals

Comfortable Accommodations
Exploring Brisbane: City Tours That Show You a Different Side of the City
There’s more to Queensland’s capital than meets the eye. While South Bank, the Story Bridge, and the Brisbane River are well-known highlights, brisbane city tours are now going beyond the usual landmarks to offer deeper, more immersive experiences. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time local, exploring the city through guided tours can reveal hidden gems, fascinating stories, and unique perspectives you won’t find in a typical travel brochure.
1. Walking Tours for History Buffs
Walking tours remain one of the best ways to experience Brisbane’s history up close. Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours weave through laneways, colonial buildings, and heritage-listed sites while sharing tales of the city’s early settlers, Indigenous heritage, and convict past. Ghost tours, in particular, are popular for those who want a spooky (but fun) twist on Brisbane’s colonial roots.
2. Street Art and Cultural Tours
For art lovers, Brisbane’s ever-growing street art scene offers a vibrant canvas of colour and expression. Guided street art tours take visitors through Fortitude Valley, West End, and Woolloongabba—showcasing everything from large-scale murals to thought-provoking political art. These tours often touch on local culture, community initiatives, and the role of art in public spaces.
3. River Cruises and Kayak Adventures
To see the city from a fresh angle, hop on a river tour. Brisbane River cruises offer a relaxing way to view the skyline, historic homes, and parklands. For something more active, guided kayaking tours at dusk or night reveal the city lights and Story Bridge from a unique vantage point. These water-based experiences highlight Brisbane’s connection to its river and the natural beauty woven throughout the urban landscape.
4. Food and Brewery Tours
Foodies can dive into Brisbane’s culinary scene with food and brewery tours through suburbs like New Farm, South Bank, and the CBD. Sample craft beers at local breweries, taste gourmet street food, or enjoy behind-the-scenes access to kitchens and roasteries. These tours offer both flavor and storytelling, connecting you to the people and history behind the dishes.
Final Thoughts
Brisbane city tours are no longer just about checking off famous sites—they’re about connection, discovery, and seeing the city through new eyes. Whether by foot, river, or bite, there’s a tour that will leave you appreciating Brisbane in a whole new light.

Exhibition commemorates enduring Aussie spirit
To commemorate 80 years since the Siege of Tobruk, the Princess Royal Fortress is hosting a free exhibition which explores the Australian story that emerged from this 242-day long siege.
The Rats of Tobruk captures the unique story of the Australian-led garrison that held the Libyan port against the Afrika Corps in World War II.
After the 6th Australian Division had captured the city from the Italians on 21 January 1941, one of Germany’s best generals, Erwin Rommel, surrounded Tobruk with the Afrika Corps.
By April, the Australians and British Army were besieged by German forces.
These soldiers played a prominent role in the town’s defence, with those who served there becoming known as the ‘Rats of Tobruk’.
The 24-panel exhibition tells the tale of how the 35,000 allies, 14,000 of which being Australian soldiers, gained their name and weathered the unrelenting forces of one of the longest sieges in British military history.
Princess Royal Fortress Curator David Theodore encouraged the Albany community to visit the exhibition and learn about this defining historical moment in Australian history.
“The Rats of Tobruk exhibition embodies the core of the Australian spirit,” he said.
“It is important that we recognise these historical events, even 80 years on, as they form the foundations of our national identity and can work to inform our future.”
This exhibition is available to view from 9am to 4pm in the Barracks Building of the Princess Royal Fortress, from 28 August 2021 through to 13 February 2022.

Great Southern join festival of pre-loved stuff
Great Southern residents are encouraged to join the Garage Sale Trail, Australia’s largest sustainability and community festival, when it returns bigger than ever in November 2021.
Garage Sale Trail will take place across the first three weekends in November, encouraging residents, schools and groups to join over 400,000 others nationwide in hosting or shopping the trail.
A series of online workshops will be delivered across the first weekend in November, followed by two weekends where residents can sell the items they no longer need or snag a guilt-free bargain.
Shire of Denmark Chief Executive Officer David Schober said the Shire was glad to be once again bringing the popular event to the region, encouraging locals to get involved.
“Our community here in Denmark and the wider Great Southern is passionate about the environment and getting behind reduce, reuse, recycle activities locally so the Garage Sale Trail is a very welcome event on our community calendar,” Mr Schober said.
“Now that registrations for the nation-wide event are open for 2021, we encourage our community to get behind the initiative and to sign up to take part.”
Alongside the Garage Sale Trail, Fossicker’s Tip Shop will be hosting a second-hand market on Sunday 21 November 2021.
City of Albany Coordinator Sustainability and Waste Strategy Julie Passmore said joining the second-hand market will be a fun way for schools, community groups and individuals to participate.
“This is a great opportunity for sellers to come together and collectively attract more shoppers, while having fun and being part of the circular economy,” she said.
“In a circular economy items are kept in use for as long as possible, making the most of the resources that go into making them.”
“It includes buying items built to last, caring for and repairing your things, and passing things on to someone else when you don’t need them anymore.”
To register a sale or shop the trail, head to garagesaletrail.com.au/albany. Those interested in hosting a stall at the Fossicker’s second-hand market are encouraged to contact the City of Albany Waste team on 68203000.

National Anzac Centre finalist in WA Tourism Awards
The National Anzac Centre has been selected as a finalist in the 2021 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards, continuing the museum’s long list of tourism industry accolades.
Since opening in 2014, the National Anzac Centre has had a proud history of excellence – winning 26 awards and certificates across several different award categories.
These accolades include being a Gold Medallist in the 2015 Western Australian Heritage Awards – Heritage Tourism Project, achieving silver in the Australian Tourism Awards for Best New Tourism Asset, and being awarded 11 Trip Advisor Certificates of Excellence.
City of Albany Executive Director Community Services Nathan Watson said the National Anzac Centre’s track record recognised its significance as a national cultural asset.
“Being a finalist is an excellent outcome, and is a credit to the passion and ongoing commitment of the whole Albany Heritage Park team in providing a visitor experience of national quality,” he said.
“It takes a whole team of dedicated staff and volunteers to create the environment for reflection and learning for which the National Anzac Centre is renowned.”
A full list of finalists can be found on the Tourism Council Western Australia’s website.
Winners will be announced on 13 November 2021.

City of Albany lights up for Christmas
The City of Albany’s Christmas festivities are double in size this year, combining the community’s traditional pageant with a new Christmas attraction that is sure to engage the whole family.
The inaugural Christmas Lights Trail is coming to Albany, with 14 twinkling life-size installations spreading the Christmas spirit throughout Albany’s CBD.
From Saturday 27 November, the lights will shine every night at various locations to form a trail from the top of York Street down to Anzac Peace Park.
As part of the City’s Support Local initiative, attendees have an opportunity to win one of three shopping vouchers from a business of their choice.
To enter, participants must upload a selfie of themselves with any of the Christmas Lights Trail installations to Instagram or Facebook, with the hashtag #albanychristmaslightstrail.
Adding to the festivities, on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 December, the City will welcome the return of the popular Twilight Markets in the Town Square and Alison Hartman Gardens.
The Markets will celebrate the unique crafts of local artisans from 4pm on Friday and 3pm on Saturday.
The highlight of the Christmas Festival will be the Christmas Pageant, which will bring its festive cheer to York Street from 6pm on Saturday 4 December.
A variety of community groups will set the town aglow with their sparkling, moving floats.
Kids of all ages can meet Santa who will be available for photos on both Friday and Saturday, with times and locations to be announced.
City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington welcomed the return of the moving pageant.
“The Christmas Festival and Pageant provides a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to come together at this special time of year,” he said.
“We are fortunate to have the pageant back for 2021 with a moving float parade again for everyone to enjoy.”
For more information on all events, head to www.cityofalbanyevents.com
The Christmas Festival and Pageant is proudly supported by Lotterywest, the Road Safety Commission and Rio Tinto.

Emotional exhibition arrives at Town Hall
An emotional and reflective collective exhibition Eight: The Shift and Saudade will open from 9 November at the Albany Town Hall.
Featuring Margaret River artists Christopher Young and Elisa Markes-Young, the exhibitions explore challenging topics including the complexity of end-of-life and lifelong migrant experiences.
Young’s exhibition of photographic work Eight: The Shift considers how individuals respond to the experiences they encounter when faced with death.
The project was realised when Young’s father was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and the subsequent experiences Young faced as he dealt with his father’s passing.
Young said his relationship with his father was distant and often dysfunctional.
“Our collective apathy left us with limited shared adult experiences as well as an inability to communicate,” he said.
“Despite his diagnosis and the associated ‘deadline’, we never found the language to sit down to discuss his looming death.”
Saudade is a journey through Markes-Young’s life as a resident of multiple countries including Poland, Germany and Australia.
Markes-Young’s work is inspired by memories from her childhood and the resultant feelings of displacement and loss as she moved from country to country from a young age.
Her textile and paper works are made almost entirely by hand and intend to convey a feeling of a bitter-sweet melancholy that the Polish call ‘tesknota’.
This exhibition runs until 7 December 2021 at the Albany Town Hall.

Warbirds return to Princess Royal Fortress
Explore the militarised skies of Great Britain, Japan, Germany and more at the Princess Royal Fortress exhibition Warbirds; Aircraft of the Second World War.
This unique exhibition returns to the Princess Royal Fortress with more than 65 model aircraft, each hand-built and painted by Kendenup resident John Wilson.
Princess Royal Fortress Curator David Theodore said he was pleased to have the opportunity to redisplay the exhibition over the busy tourist season.
“The models take visitors on a journey to their own childhood, when they may have made similar model replicas,” he said.
“That sense of nostalgia while in the historical site of the Princess Royal Fortress makes for a unique exhibition.”
Warbirds; Aircraft of the Second World War is a free exhibition, and will be available for viewing from 1 December 2021 in the West Wing of the Married Quarters of the Princess Royal Fortress, between 9am and 4pm.

Life’s a Beach with new all-terrain wheelchair
People with a disability will be able to enjoy the sand and surf at Binalup / Middleton Beach thanks to a new all-terrain beach wheelchair funded by the Department of Communities.
A Beach Trekker All-Terrain Wheelchair purchased by the City in 2012 has proven popular and prompted the purchase of another wheelchair to meet demand.
The new Hippocampe All-Terrain Beach Wheelchair has interchangeable floating and neutral buoyancy wheels for beach and water use to support people with varying abilities and preferences.
The chair also allows self-transfer with additional assistance, and the City is now seeking funding to purchase a hoist to maximise accessibility to the chair.
Manager Community Relations Louise Paterson said the chair was important in achieving access and inclusion at the enhanced Binalup / Middleton Beach precinct.
“The precinct already has accessibility infrastructure such as a beach accessibility ramp, beach matting and accessible toilets so the new all-terrain wheelchair is a welcome addition,” she said.
“We’re very thankful for the funding from the Department of Communities to purchase the chair.
With more than 2000 residents who identify as needing daily assistance due to disability within our community, initiatives like this make a big difference.”
The All-Terrain Wheelchair will be available for the public to use from February 2022. The Beach Wheelchair Safety Guide and User Manual and how to gain access the All-Terrain Beach Wheel can be found here.
To access the City’s beach wheelchairs contact South Coast Security’s 24-hour mobile service on 0417 964 102

National Anzac Centre secures Silver in tourism awards
The National Anzac Centre joined some of the State’s best tourism providers in the industry on Saturday night, securing Silver in the 2021 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards.
The industry’s premier awards night showcased the innovation and commitment to business excellence of Western Australia’s leading tourism operators across 27 categories.
The National Anzac Centre entered Category 2 – Tourist Attractions, competing with six other finalists across a variety of tourism services and products to achieve a winning result.
The Great Southern was well-represented on the night, with Cheynes Beach Caravan Park and Singlefile Wines also winning Silver in their respective categories of Caravan & Holiday Parks and Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries.
City of Albany Deputy Mayor Sandie Smith said it was an honour to collect the award on behalf of the National Anzac Centre’s team.
“Since opening in 2014, the National Anzac Centre has been a leader in historical interpretation, telling the Anzac story through its immersive experience,” she said.
“This story takes visitors on a journey of courage, bravery and loyalty through a dedicated soldier’s perspective.
“This could not be achieved without the passionate team of staff and volunteers who proudly represent the Anzac legend every day.”
For a full list of winners and medallists, head to www.tourismcouncilwa.com.au

Bald Head Trail Upgrade
From February 2022, the Parks and Wildlife Service (DBCA) will commence a notable upgrade project to the iconic Bald Head walk trail within the Torndirrup National Park.
The Bald Head trail is a physically demanding 12.5km return trail crossing the ridgeline of the Flinders Peninsula, which provides incredible views of the Southern Ocean around King George Sound.
Parks and Wildlife staff have noted concerns around increasing sand blowouts, loss of vegetation caused by wind and water erosion, and widening trail surface. These planned works will protect against further erosion and address existing impacts, including stabilising trail edges for regeneration.
This work is expected to be complete by August 2022.
For more information, head to https://projects.trailswa.com.au/bald-head-trail-upgrade/


Experience Albany

Pristine Beaches
Relax on Albany’s stunning white-sand shores, perfect for swimming, surfing, and sunsets.

Scenic Trails
Explore breathtaking coastal and bushwalks, including Bald Head Trail and Bluff Knoll.

Historic Landmarks
Visit the National Anzac Centre and Albany’s rich colonial and maritime heritage sites.

Vibrant Events
Enjoy film festivals, local markets, and community celebrations all year round.

Local Cuisine
Savor fresh seafood, gourmet local produce, and Albany’s best dining experiences.

Cozy Stays
Find comfortable accommodations, from luxury hotels to charming beachside retreats.

About The Author
Stephanie Arnold is a passionate travel writer and local expert dedicated to showcasing the beauty of Albany, Western Australia. With a deep love for coastal landscapes, rich history, and vibrant community events, she curates engaging content to help visitors explore the best of Albany. Whether it’s uncovering hidden gems, recommending must-visit attractions, or highlighting unique local experiences, Stephanie’s insights make every traveler’s journey unforgettable.
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221 York Street, Albany, WA 6330
PO Box 484, Albany, WA 6331