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
Misery Beach Named Tourism Australia Best Beach 2022
Misery beach, located just 20 kilometres south of Albany has been named the best beach in the country by Tourism Australia. Described as a “picture perfect” beach, Misery Beach was praised for its uncrowded white sand, turquoise water, noticeable granite outcrop and interesting historic backstory.
Beating award winning spots along New South Wales, Queensland and even Tasmanian coastline, Tourism Australia’s beach ambassador, Brad Farmer, said Misery Beach was world-class.
The list below shows the winners of this years 2022 Tourism Australia award.
AUSTRALIA’S BEST BEACHES
1. Misery Beach, WA
2. Horseshoe Bay, NSW
3. The Spit, Queensland
4. Flaherty’s Beach, SA
5. Loch Ard Gorge, Victoria
6. The Neck, Tasmania
7. Blue Pearl Bay, Queensland
8. Depot Beach, NSW
9. Murray Beach, NSW
10. Dundee Beach, NT
For more information on this award check out ABC’s article here
Albany’s coastline is one of Western Australia’s most spectacular, already hosting award winning beach, Little Beach within Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve.
If you’d like more information on other beaches surrounding Albany, check out Beaches and Coastline on our website. Or visit us for a detailed map of our beaches and their locations.
Ten “Other” Great Walks
With the Bald Head walk trail currently closed, here are several other great walks for you to enjoy.
2. Two Peoples Bay Heritage Walk trail – Two peoples Bay Albany
3. Mt Hassel – Stirling ranges
5. Monkey rock and Mt Hallowell – Denmark
6. Wilderness Ocean Walk “WOW” Trail Denmark
Local delicacies put on the Maritime map
The City of Albany and the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry are calling on all local hospitality venues to develop maritime themed dishes or drinks to feature in the Maritime Menu Map as part of this year’s Albany Maritime Festival.
Showcasing Albany’s unique produce and providores, the Maritime Menu Map will lead locals and visitors on a culinary adventure around the city.
City of Albany Manager Community Relations Louise Paterson said all food and beverage businesses were welcome to participate.
“The Maritime Menu Map is all about promoting our fantastic local hospitality venues and fabulous Albany produce to locals and visitors,” she said.
“We want businesses to have fun, get creative and come up with a maritime themed dish or drink like Pirate Pete’s Paella, Mermaid Martha’s Milkshake, or maybe accompany your dish with a snippet of Albany maritime history.
“It could be as simple as featuring an amazing locally sourced surf ‘n’ turf – the opportunities are endless.”
Participating in the Maritime Menu is open to any business that serves food or drinks, the only conditions is that your dish or drink must fit a maritime theme and be served through the month of July.
“There is no cost to be involved and all participating businesses will be included in the Maritime Menu Map which will be promoted far and wide to attract visitors to Albany for the festival,” Ms Paterson said.
Local hospitality venues can visit https://www.cityofalbanyevents.com/ to register their interest in being included in the Maritime Menu Map. Registrations close on March 15.
New event at Cinefest Oz Albany shines spotlight on Albany film
Following a successful debut festival, the program is expanding to include a new instalment which will become the beating centre of the 2022 festival.
CinefestOZ Albany is very pleased to announce the addition of “Koort”, an Albany-focussed event that celebrates Albany and the Great Southern as a film-making hotspot. Menang Noongar Elder, Vernice Gillies, speaks about naming of the event “For us Menang Noongars, koort means heart, and I’m pleased that CinefestOZ Albany is calling its celebration of Albany films and film-makers “Koort.” It is about being at the heart of Menang country.”
The centrepiece for this must-see event takes shape with a screening of multiple award-winning film Edward and Isabella by local Albany writer/director Adam Morris. Starring Hollywood-fame Chloe Hurst, the film is a momentous achievement for Adam and his production team.
Edward and Isabella joins Breath, H is for Happiness and Rams on the expanding list of films that make the most of Albany’s beautiful town and surrounding scenery. The inimitable Albany flavour continues with music from the Albany Shantymen featured, as well as several local film practitioners engaged in the making of the film.
Edward and Isabella will be screened publicly for the first time to Albany audiences during CinefestOZ Albany festivities on Saturday 30 April with special performance by Albany Shantymen.
To register your interest for this event visit cinefestoz.wufoo.com/forms/edward-and-isabella-special-event-screening/
Keep an eye out for the CinefestOZ Albany full program announcement in late March. For more information visit cinefestoz.com and follow CinefestOZ Albany on Facebook.
In Cahoots at the Town Hall
Artists in remote and regional Aboriginal art centres and independent artists from across Australia have come together to develop the In Cahoots exhibition coming to Albany Town Hall in March.
When six Aboriginal art centres across Western Australia, Northern Territory and Victoria invited independent Australian artists to work with their community, it fostered genuine collaboration and skill exchange to produce a significant body of work.
The centres included Baluk Arts (VIC), Buku-Larrnggay Mulk Arts Centre (NT), Mangkaja Arts (WA), Martumili Artists (WA), Papulankutja Artists (WA), Warakurna Artists (WA).
In Cahoots exhibits the diverse partnerships that were formed through large-scale woven installations, reclaimed tin sculptures, wooden objects, contemporary furniture, photography and paintings.
Each piece speaks to the distinct themes and issues of each community whilst uncovering the perspective and skills of the individual artist.
In Cahoots curator Erin Coates said it was an ambitious and complex undertaking.
“Asking artists from diverse cultural backgrounds across Australia to develop new ways of art making, and in doing so to accept one another into their practices and communities was a challenge,” she said.
“I’m thrilled audiences all over Australia will now have the chance to witness the results of these exchanges – they’re bold, materially rich, fascinating artworks.”
Manager Arts and Culture Paul Nielsen said the City was looking forward to hosting the exhibition.
“Language barriers, distance, extreme weather and travelling challenges didn’t stop the artists working together to deliver the project,” he said.
“It has received praise from critics for producing such captivating artworks and it is a pleasure to welcome this collaboration across country to the Town Hall.”
In Cahoots will be exhibited in Albany Town Hall from March 4 to April 21. Exhibiting artist Neil Aldrum will be discussing his works at 11am on Saturday, March 5 at Albany Town Hall.
The exhibition is supported by Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest and Australia Council for the Arts, and delivered with the Fremantle Arts Centre.
City welcomes Bicentenary ambassadors
Today the City of Albany welcomes its newly appointed Bicentenary Ambassadors with a civic function at the Town Hall as the community’s journey to 2026 officially commenced.
With the Bicentenary of Albany four years away, the City has enlisted the experience, knowledge and skillsets of Albany residents to play a key role in informing the planning and programming for 2026.
Mayor of Albany Dennis Wellington said multiple communities and sectors within Albany are represented among the Bicentenary Ambassadors.
“Our history is incredibly rich and diverse, from our Menang-Noongar culture and their centuries old connection to country, through to the more recent Anzac history and our vibrant arts, culture and heritage sectors,” he said.
“The Bicentenary is an opportunity to come together as a whole community to reflect on our past, connect with culture and recognise the strong and vibrant community Albany is today.
“Milestones such as 2026 are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create lasting legacies for places and communities, and our Bicentenary ambassadors will have the opportunity to contribute to defining what this legacy looks like for Albany.”
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sharpe said expectations for the Bicentenary were high following the success of the Anzac Centenary and Field of Light experience.
“Those events really demonstrated how our community can unite and we’re looking forward to working with our community again on the Bicentenary,” he said.
“We are excited about what we as a community can achieve in 2026 because we know in Albany anything is possible, and we thank the ambassadors who have come on board to work with us on this very important occasion.”
The Bicentenary Ambassadors were appointed through an Expression of Interest process and endorsed by Council.
Their role is to work with the City of Albany, stakeholders and consultants to support collating the ideas, aspirations and needs of the community and various sectors that will inform the Bicentenary.
ALAC Covid Update
Albany Leisure & Aquatic Centre has undergone a comprehensive clean following notification from Albany Basketball Association that a player had returned a positive Covid test.
ALAC was closed and cleaned on Thursday 24 February as a precaution and has returned to normal operations at 5.45am Friday, February 25.
The community are encouraged to monitor updates from the Department of Health at health.wa.gov.au and follow their advice.
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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