Best Things to Do in Albany, Australia

Albany Australia: Dramatic Cliffs, Untouched Beaches & Torndirrup

After spending unforgettable days on the squeaky white sands of Esperance, our road trip along the South Coast of Western Australia continues. Behind the wheel of our 4×4 camper van, we swapped the goldfields for peaceful bush campsites and lush pine forests heading further west. Next stop: the historic coastal town of Albany!

Home to roughly 40,000 residents, Albany is a quintessential West Australian coastal hub. Surrounded by scenic bays, rocky peninsulas, and the rugged wilderness of Torndirrup National Park, it is one of South WA’s most captivating destinations. From here, it’s just 400 kilometers to Perth—a short drive by Australian standards, though still wider than entire European nations!

Here is our ultimate guide to the top things to do in Albany Australia, featuring secret coves, national parks, and practical road trip advice!

📍 Quick Guide: Albany Highlights You Can't Miss

Short on time during your South Coast drive? Add these top attractions to your itinerary:

🌊 Torndirrup National Park: Towering granite cliffs, crashing Southern Ocean swells, and panoramic views over Bald Head peninsula.
🏖️ Misery Beach & Salmon Beach: Crowned one of Australia’s best beaches, Misery Beach offers pure, untouched paradise.
🐋 Historic Whaling Station & Whaling Cove: Learn about Albany’s fascinating maritime and whaling heritage.
🏖️ Frenchman Bay & Emu Point: Sheltered, shallow waters perfect for swimming, family picnics, and relaxing days by the sea.
🦘 Spotting Wild Kangaroos: Watch eastern grey kangaroos hop through grassy meadows during the golden hour.

✈️ Planning your Western Australia road trip? Stay connected anywhere along the coast with a Saily eSIM with a 10% discount (use code WOUT15) or grab the Holafly eSIM for unlimited data with a 5% discount (use code WOUTHOLA).

🚗 The Drive to Albany: Outback Camping Adventures

Driving west from Esperance takes just a few hours through changing landscapes. En route, we set up camp at a remote bush campsite near Jeramungup and the Pallinup River. Unwinding by the campfire under a sky full of stars in our rooftop tents remains one of our favorite Outback experiences!

Approaching Albany, the dry terrain gives way to rolling green hills and tall pine forests. We set up our basecamp in the woods along the King River—an ideal spot for families traveling with children!

Getting there from Perth: Driving directly from Perth to Albany takes about 4.5 to 5 hours (around 418 km) inland via the Albany Highway. If you’re taking the coastal route via Margaret River and Denmark, plan for a few extra days to enjoy the stops!

🏙️ Best Coastal Spots Around Albany Town

1. Emu Point & Oyster Harbour

Start your coastal exploration at Emu Point, located on the north side of town. This narrow channel connects Oyster Harbour with King George Sound. Featuring calm, shallow waters and green parklands, it’s an ideal spot for a morning swim or a relaxed family picnic.

2. Middleton Beach & Point King

Heading toward the city center brings you to Middleton Beach. From the shoreline, you can take in views across Shaw Bay and the lush Vancouver Peninsula. Nearby at Point King, you can also explore the historic ruins of Albany’s old lighthouse.

🌿 Exploring Torndirrup National Park

Just across the harbor lies Torndirrup National Park, the region’s main natural drawcard. The drive through the park winds along dramatic headlands, revealing completely different vistas around every bend:

Salmon Beach & The Annual Salmon Run

At the base of the Bald Head peninsula sits Salmon Beach. From July through January, this stretch of coast fills with Australian salmon migrating west toward the Indian Ocean to breed. The contrast between the roaring surf and brilliant blue ocean is breathtaking.

Misery Beach & Murray Boat Ramp

On the sheltered side of Bald Head near the Murray boat ramp, you’ll discover a picturesque cove framed by massive boulders. Just beyond lies Misery Beach. Despite its ironic name, this secluded cove features powdery white sand and turquoise water, making it one of the most pristine beaches on the entire South Coast!

🐋 Whaling History & Whaling Cove

Albany has a rich maritime past shaped by whaling and fishing. Operating from 1800 until 1978, Albany was home to Australia’s last operating whaling station before hunting ceased permanently.

At Whaling Cove Beach, visitors can tour the preserved whaling ship and interactive museum grounds. Between 1952 and its closure, the station caught thousands of humpback and sperm whales. Today, the site serves as an educational museum highlighting marine conservation.

🏖️ Frenchman Bay Beach: Ultimate Beach Day

For a classic, relaxing day by the sea, head straight to Frenchman Bay Beach. Offering easy access, picnic facilities, and shallow, crystal-clear water, it is widely considered the best swimming beach near town.

💡 Creator Tip: Albany is also great for road trip budgets—we found the cheapest diesel in Australia right here ($1.63 AUD per liter!).

🛏️ Practical Tips & Where to Stay

Getting Around: Exploring Western Australia by car instead of a camper van? Compare the best car rental rates via Discover Cars.
Hotels in Albany: Prefer staying right in town near local cafes and heritage sites? Search and compare the best hotel deals in Albany here.
Tours & Activities: Planning to go whale watching (May to October) or take a historical town tour? Explore top-rated Albany tours via GetYourGuide (use code WOUTOFTHEWORLD5 on the GetYourGuide app for 5% off!).

🎧 Road Trip Essential: Long driving stretches fly by with great audiobooks! Grab your free 30-day Storytel trial right here.

TRAVEL TIP! 🚐🇦🇺

Rent a 4×4 camper for the full experience! Use code WOUTOFTHEWORLD

Planning your dream road trip in Australia? To help you map out your adventure, you can use Dutchies Travel. Depending on how you like to travel, you can choose exactly how much guidance you want:

Choose your travel style:

DIY Travel Plan (Free): Perfect if you love to plan and book independently. You’ll receive a strong baseline route packed with highlights, travel times, and transport suggestions to build your own trip.
Custom Travel Plan: Perfect if you want expert guidance. You’ll get a fully personalized itinerary including routes, accommodations, activities, and transport options. They can even handle the entire booking process for you.

Good to know: Booking separate campervans, cars, tours, or activities is also completely possible if you already know what you want!

How to lock in your discount:

Many travelers assume that using a travel agency costs more — but that’s not true here. Thanks to their strong partnerships, Dutchies Travel receives exclusive discounts from local providers. That means you often pay the same price (or even less!) than booking directly.

To activate your exclusive discounts and support our channel, simply follow these steps on their request form:

Under “How did you hear about us?” select Influencer from the dropdown menu.
Mention our code WOUTOFTHEWORLD in your message to secure extra discounts on your bookings or when buying gear in their online shop.

🧭 Whether you want to build it yourself or have them handle the heavy lifting — all you need to do is enjoy the adventure!

🎥 Watch Our Albany Travel Guide

The BIG LAP of Australia

We did it – completed the entire Big Lap of Australia! Our BIG LAP journey took us along the North, East, South, and West coasts of this incredible continent, covering over 25,000 kilometers of diverse landscapes and unforgettable experiences.

From tropical rainforests in Queensland to the most beautiful natural wonders, from the endless Outback to the white beaches of Western Australia – we’ve documented it all.

Watch the complete Australia Big Lap Video Playlist!

What you’ll find in our complete Australia guide:

Detailed route information for every state and territory
Comprehensive budget breakdowns and money-saving tips
Camping recommendations and wild camping spots
Must-see attractions and hidden gems off the beaten path
Practical planning advice for families and solo travelers
Seasonal recommendations and weather considerations
Vehicle preparation and maintenance tips
Border crossing information and permit requirements

Use our complete Australia travel guide as your personal route planner and discover why the BIG LAP is the ultimate Australian experience that will change your perspective on travel forever!

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We’re Wout & Suus, traveling full time around the world with our little globetrotters Jens & Céline.

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