Albany is one of Australia’s most beautiful and inspiring natural playgrounds. It’s a place where towering granite cliffs meet the roaring Southern Ocean, ancient forests shelter hidden paths, and every lookout feels like a chance to encounter something that is bigger than yourself. Here’s how to experience the very best nature in Albany.
Ocean power and ancient granite at Torndirrup National Park
Stretching across almost 4,000 hectares on the rugged Torndirrup Peninsula is the Torndirrup National Park. The dramatic coastline showcases the power of nature on an impressive scale, as some of the oldest rocks on Earth have been shaped into granite outcrops by relentless ocean wind and swell over the last 1800 million years.
Carved out by crashing waves, The Gap is a divide in the granite where the ocean surges with power. A viewing platform stands about 40 meters above the sea, giving visitors a thrilling perspective over the Southern Ocean and headlands. The lookout is accessible for wheelchairs, and just nearby you’ll find a carpark and picnic area.
Further along, another sculpted rock formation known as the Natural Bridge offers a slightly gentler but equally beautiful view.
The Blowholes are another popular stop at Torndirrup National Park. When waves crash into the crevices in the granite, air and water spray upwards to create a whooshing sound. This phenomenon is most common when the ocean swell is high, and there is an easy 1.6 kilometre walk leading to this display. Close to both the Gap and Natural Bridge, the Blowholes offer fantastic views of Bald Head and the Southern Ocean.
If you’re chasing an all-day experience at the park, the Bald Head walk is a 12.6 km trail that threads along the peninsula’s rugged edge. You’ll be met with magnificent views of the headland and sweeping ocean panoramas, along with seasonal wildflowers all along the path.
Pay a $17 per vehicle entry fee to access the park all day long, and you’ll be nothing short of stunned when you leave.
Turquoise waters and granite boulders at Greens Pool
About an hour west of Albany, in William Bay National Park, Greens Pool is a stunning natural mosaic. Painted with beautiful colours, pale white sands, and framed by huge granite boulders that act as a protective barrier, the calm, crystal clear turquoise waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, or simply floating and taking in the beautiful scenery around.
The rocks here hold generations of history. Part of one of Earth’s oldest continental building events, these boulders formed over 1.5 billion years ago, giving the landscape a timeless, sculpted feel.
A short scenic walk from the main lookout leads directly to the water’s edge. If you’re keen to explore further, a trail continues along the coast to Elephant rocks, another set of striking granite formations that resemble a herd of elephants bathing in the sea. The trail then descends into a sheltered cove, where confident swimmers can enjoy a less crowded dip. Be aware, this area is known for its strong currents.
This National Park has free entry, making it the perfect day trip to take during your time in Albany.
Seeing whales and waves at the Albany Wind Farm
Perched on the cliffs east of Albany sits the Albany Wind Farm, responsible for producing 80 percent of Albany’s electricity. The Sand Patch Coastal Platform and boardwalks here are excellent vantage points for spotting Southern Right and Humpback whales during migration season, which falls between the months of May and October. The powerful winds and open ocean exposure make this area popular with surfers and photographers alike.
Here, you can also access a small section of the Bibbulmun Track, which winds through these towering turbines for incredible views. With free entry, the Albany Wind Farm gives families and travellers the perfect daytime activity, with the opportunity to spot whales on your visit.
Explore the pristine beaches and wildlife at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve
Roughly 35 km east of Albany, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is a sanctuary of pristine white beaches and abundant wildlife life. The most popular spot here is Little Beach, which is celebrated for its strikingly clear waters and peaceful setting.
The reserve is also home to a number of endangered animals, including the Gilbert’s potoroo and noisy scrub-bird. In fact, both creatures were thought to be extinct until they were rediscovered here in the 1900s. To learn more, make sure to stop by the visitors centre, where you can also find out about important recovery programs.
A $17 entry fee per vehicle is needed to enter the park, giving you all day access to explore everything the park has to offer, including Little Beach and so much more. It’s the perfect place to relax, swim, or stroll, making this the perfect spot to explore the nature in Albany. Water-lovers can try canoeing, snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming, too.
Trails, landforms & History at Albany Heritage Park
Spanning 250 hectares of bushland rising from the town centre, Albany Heritage Park blends nature with heritage. With a large variety of different walking and bike trails, traverse forests, historic lookouts, and coastal escarpments, Albany Heritage Park offers plenty of unique experiences, all connecting the region’s cultural history with stunning natural scenery. Views from elevated points reward walkers with sweeping panoramic views across King George Sound.
Inside the park, you’ll find the National Anzac Centre. This important building overlooks the actual location where 41,000 Australians and New Zealanders departed for the Great War, and is part of the Princess Royal Fortress. In fact, the fortress is one of only two pre-federation fortresses built to protect intercontinental trade routes.
The Desert Mounted Corps Memorial is located on the summit of Mt Clarence, and is a recast of the original statue erected in the Suez in 1932 to honour the troops who sailed from Australia in 1914. The granite blocks beneath the statue are the originals from Suez.
With free entry, Albany Heritage Park offers views of the breathtaking nature in Albany for everyone to enjoy, keeping participants occupied throughout the day.
A dog-friendly coastal trail at the Ellen Cove to Albany port walk
Have you brought your pup along with you to experience the nature in Albany? Take the leisurely outdoor walk from Ellen Cove to Albany. Delivering waterside views, this 6.1 km stroll follows boardwalks and paths along the shoreline, ideal for a relaxed morning or sunset walk with your pup. Along the way, you’ll find interpretive signs and memorials to past leaders who have shaped the Albany region. Plus, the trail passes several historic buildings, including the lighthouse and bunkers where Aussie troops once kept watch over King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour.
During whale season, you might even spot a Southern Right or rare Blue whale breaching out of the water from these vantage points.
If you work up an appetite along the way, Three Anchors is a restaurant and cafe with comfortable outdoor seating. Every dish is designed to celebrate the freshest local ingredients, with a dedicated kids menu for those travelling with little ones. For breakfast, relax with a barista-made coffee and house-made waffles, or tuck into pork bao buns, prawn toast and chicken burgers for lunch. You can even sip on a cocktail while you soak in the natural beauty around you and consider the historical sights you’ve just encountered.
Granite Peaks and the Skywalk at Porongurup National Park
Inland from Albany, Porongurup National Park is home to towering granite domes and ancient forests. The highlight here is the Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock, a dramatic suspended lookout that rewards climbers with 360 degree views across the Stirling Range and the surrounding countryside, once they reach the top. Reaching the lookout requires weaving over and through rocks, before ascending a 6 metre ladder, but it’s well worth it for the view.
Bushwalkers should try the Castle Rock loop, which takes you on a 4.7 kilometre return trip through jarrah, marri and karri forests. Along the way, you’ll discover the amazing balancing rock, which is a giant round boulder that appears to balance precariously on another rock. You’ll also explore the skywalk, and end with views over Albany, the Stirling Ranges, and Mount Gardner.
As this is a National Park, the entry fee is $17 per vehicle for the day, which gives you full access to the park for the entire day and all the beautiful views it has to offer of the beautiful nature in Albany.
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Rex flies to Albany! Head to the Rex website or check out the route map below for more details.
