Albany is located on Bibbulmun Track map 8 – Denmark/Albany.
Albany has a population of 32,000 and is the oldest settlement in Western Australia. It became the first British settlement and military outpost on WA soil when 46 people arrived on the brig Amity, under the command of Captain Lockyer, on the 25th of December 1826. In 1832, a pier was built for the sealing industry, and during the 1840s and 1850s, whaling was the main industry. Albany was originally named Fredericks Town after Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. It was renamed Albany by Governor Darling of New South Wales. Presently it is one of the main ports for the south-west of WA.
Albany has one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world, in addition to dramatic mountain ranges, spectacular coastal scenery, dense karri forests, and rich farmlands. Mt Melville and Mt Clarence have stunning views over the beautiful Princess Royal Harbour, and King George Sound. Humpback and Southern Right whales can be observed near the bays and coves of King George Sound from July to October.
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Getting there
Albany is located 420 km south-east of Perth, a drive of approximately four hours and 40 minutes along the Albany Highway. Driving from Albany to Denmark takes approximately 45 minutes along the South Coast Highway. Albany has a domestic airport and Skywest has daily flights from/to Perth that take an hour and five minutes.
Alternatively, take the TransWA Australind train from Perth City Railway Station to the Bunbury Passenger Terminal with a bus connection to Albany, or the coach from the Perth East Terminal to Albany. Check the schedule with the operators beforehand. Taxi services and other licensed transport providers provide transfer to the Track from Albany or Denmark.
Private transport from Perth CBD or country WA can be organised via Business Class Transfers (BCT). Call 1300 763 005 for a quote.
Accommodation & service providers
Albany is a large town with a complete range of accommodation, and all the services walkers could possibly need.
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The Bibbulmun Track Accommodation & Services Guide has extensive information about walker-friendly services, their location in and between towns, and discounts offered to members. The Guide contains 144 pages of essential information at a cost of only $12 RRP.
Along the Track…
The view from the lookout platform at the Mutton Bird car park (28.5km west of Albany) provides ample reward for effort expended in circling the bay for walkers coming west. East of Sandpatch, the Bibbulmun Track features spectacular scenery as it wends its way between the wind farm and the coastal cliffs. Here, much of the Track follows boardwalks for long stretches to protect the cliff tops from erosion.
The Albany coastline, long ago attached to Antarctica_JPG)
, displays some of the oldest rocks in the world. Torndirrup National Park and Princess Royal Harbour offer spectacular scenery, such as the Gap and the Natural Bridge. The views of Albany for southbound walkers become more frequent as the trail descends from the coastal dunes, to the point where it crosses Frenchman Bay Road and joins the dual-use pathway around the foreshore. From here, the Track winds a circuitous but attractive route into town, and ends at the Southern Terminus alongside the visitor centre, which is housed in the old railway station.
Suggested walks
Day walks:
- Sandpatch to Mutton Bird one-way (14km). To get to Sandpatch car park from Albany, take Hanrahan Rd for 2km from the main roundabout, turn right onto Frenchman Bay Road and travel for 3.5km. Turn right on to Princess Road and travel for 2km. Turn left on to Sandpatch Road and travel for 3.5km to the car park at the end.
Overnight walks:
- Shelley Beach lookout car park to Albany one-way (40.7km, two days, one night).
- Lowlands Beach to Albany one-way (58km, four days, three nights).
Denmark is the next town after Albany for walkers heading north – Albany to Denmark is a walk of 83.5km, which takes approximately five days, four nights.
For more information visit our day walk webpage and check out the Denmark/Albany day walk map pack which has further suggestions.