What you can expect when you visit. The following is only a snapshot of some of the places should you may care to visit, together with things of general interest.

Albany
Albany was the first established European settlement in Western Australia and is now one of the largest cities outside of Perth with a population of approximately 30,000. A thriving City, seaport and the administrative hub for the region. Albany has one of the most attractive coastline settings; endowed with an interesting history and an abundance of attractions and activities. Its about a 4 1/2 hours drive from Perth and less than an hour by air. It offers visitors cooler summers and mild winters.

There are so many attractions in and around Albany it is impossible to do justice to them all; thats why we invite you to tell us what interests you when making a booking, so that we can customise a break around your interests and budget! We have used visitor feedback for the places that they consider a must see whilst in the area, and have listed these below (in no particular order).

Eco walks in and around the region range from 20 minutes to 4 hours and will suit different levels of fitness. The walks can be framed around different interests, for example flora, fauna, bird life and coastline. Albanys natural walking trails are at the heart of what is widely recognised as one of the most incredibly biodiverse environments for walkers anywhere in Australia. A comprehensive guide of safe walks is available on request. The guide costs $5.50 (including post and packaging).

Sea fishing, diving, and river cruises occur throughout the year.

The old convict built gaol, located in the central business area, serves as a museum and is a useful starting point for those interested in the history of the region. The restorations to the gaol have left the period features carefully preserved.

York Street which is one of the main shopping precincts and includes a number historic buildings.

The Gap, situated in the Torndirrup National Park, is a daunting and spectacular, natural rock formation at the oceans edge. It is located 15 minutes from the city and is a wonder of nature; created through the centuries by pounding seas. The roar and crash of the waves are an overwhelming experience.

Whale World serves as a wonderful reminder of our grim past. It is located about 20 minutes from the City on the site of the once operational Cheynes Beach Whaling Station. The old whaling station has been transformed into a museum, and a state of the art entertaining information centre, complete with one of the original whaling vessels which you can climb all over, should you so desire. The site has been authentically preserved, capturing the atmosphere and whaling experiences of yester year, definitely a must see.

Princess Royal Fortress, built in the 19th Century because of its strategic importance in the protection of the King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour. It serves today as a military museum and heritage centre. The various items of military weaponry and heavy gun emplacements are on public display. The view from the Fort is fantastic. If you enjoy a great value hearty breakfast, look no further than the Fortress Cafe.

If old English style of Pubs is high on your agenda, you will need look no further than the Earl of Spencer in the centre of Albany, it is as good as you will see and enjoy any where, complete with English beer and great meals.

The Desert Corps and War Memorial located at Mt Clarence in the heart of Albany, in the same locality as the Fort. It stands as a stark reminder of their valiant war effort and also a reminder that the Australian Army contingent departed from Albany for Gallipoli. The site also provides for some fantastic views of Princess Royal Harbour.

Brig Amity, a full scale replica of the original vessel which brought the first settlers and convicts to Albany in 1826 is located at the Harbours edge, 2 minutes walk from the City.

Cosy Corner and Shelley Beach are about a half hour from the City, as you head towards Denmark. Both are terrific beaches for fishing, picnicing and camping spots. Dont go without your camera!

The Albany Wind Farm is just 12 kilometres from the City centre, it is the site of a $43 million project which is unrivalled in Australia The are 12 turbines, perched high on their 65 metre towers, each turbine has three 35 metre blades, wider than most passenger aircraft wing spans. Even if you have no interest in technology, the wind farm provides an insight into the future in terms of environmentally friendly power generation. Well worth the visit!

Wildflowers are one of the best kept secrets of the region. Of the 10,000 plant species, which naturally occur in Western Australia, over half are found through out the south-west and are easily discovered in walks or when meandering around the region by road. Although there is always something in flower, the main wildflower season extends from August until December, with the peak flowering period usually between September and November.

If you are seeking a more relaxing or indulgent holiday, we suggest you pay a visit to the Mount Romance Sandalwood Factory.

For those who wish to visit the oldest consecrated church in Western Australia, this can be achieved by taking a visit to the St Johns Anglican Church in York Street.

You should also keep in mind Albanys 18 hole public golf course.

Denmark
Denmark, Western Australia. Is a picturesque country town, nestled on the tranquil Denmark River and Wilson Inlet, surrounded by magnificent and a cascading forest which reaches into the waters edge. Named in the early 1800s after Alexander Denmark, a naval physician. The town gained some notoriety in the 1970s with a small a hippy commune which evolved from the idyllic and tranquil life style. The area presents a perfect picture of naturally occurring and stunning contrasts; Denmark remains among one of the most popular tourist destinations in Western Australia and is an absolute must for your travel itinerary.

Must sees include William Bay, Greens Pool and the William Bay National Park.

William Bay is located about 14 kilometres east of Denmark - it can be best described as awe inspiring. The low rock shelves which extend over a hundred metres out to sea and the pools of water that form, create a mosaic of contrasting colours against the dramatic scenery, making the Bay and Greens Pool arguably the prettiest spots on the southern coast. It is also surrounded by a National Park that covers approximately 1800 hectacres.

The Albany and Denmark region has over 50 wineries and these produce some of the finest wines in Australia. Many of the red and white varieties have achieved international recognition, together with other varieties grown in the south west, particularly Margaret River.

The Porongurup Ranges and National Park
Located approximately 40 kilometres north of Albany. The range is 12 kilometres long and up to 670 metres high. The Porongurup National Park covers over 2,500 hectares. There are over 750 plant species including 55 different specie of orchid found in the range together with an abundance of different bird and wildlife

In early spring, the range bursts into every imaginable colour. There are numerous bush tracks which weave through out the park, suiting different fitness and skill levels. The views are fantastic, on a clear day you can see seemingly for ever into the distance with the backdrop of the Southern Ocean

Stirling Ranges
The craggy peaks which stretch for 65 kilometres seem to rise abruptly from nowhere and stand out in contrast to the relatively flat farmland. It was English Captain Mathew Flinders who provided the first recorded sighting of the mountain range in 1802. The range was subsequently named in 1835 in honour of the first Western Australian Governor Captain James Stirling.

The Chester Pass Road runs through the centre of the park and provides easy access to the mountains, although the overall scenery can be enjoyed from the comfort of your vehicle, in reality you will only experience the flora and fauna at its best by taking advantage of the many walks. The park is one of the worlds most important areas for flora, with 1,500 species. More species occur in the Stirling Range than in the entire British Isles and 87 plant species found in the Stirling Range occur nowhere else on earth.

A word of caution, if you are intent on walking, seek advice from the local Ranger first. Water is often very hard to obtain and parties walking here must be prepared to carry all of their water requirements and to be prepared for sudden change of weather, mists and wind chill. It is also important to understand that rain can occur at any time.

Bluff Knoll stands 1,095 metres above sea level

The peak can be reached by following a well formed bush track but it does require a reasonable degree of fitness. If in doubt seek medical advice. It takes about four hours (weather and fitness level permitting) to complete the six-kilometre return climb using the pre-formed track.

Best time to visit is late spring and early summer (October to December) Winter, between June and August, is cold and wet, and visitors should come prepared. Even in spring the weather can be unpredictable, particularly higher in the range. Sudden cold changes cause the temperature to drop and rain or hail to set in. All visitors are strongly advised not to enter the bush or use footpaths on days of extreme fire danger.

The range is one of few places in Western Australia where snow occasionally falls. Snow probably falls on the highest peaks several times each year.

Walpole
The small picturesque town of Walpole was originally established as a group settlement for farmers in the 1930s. This was followed by the development of a timber milling industry.

 

It is better known today for the surrounding Valley of Giants - in the Walpole Nornalup National Park, where it is home to some of the tallest trees in the world, including Jarrah, Karri and Tingle Trees and the world famous Tree top walk. The tree top walk provides the opportunity for visitors to walk safely across a canopy of the tall timbers.

The tranquil rivers, inlets and adjoining wilderness areas also provide a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. These can include fishing, canoeing, white-water rafting, bushwalking, power boating and skiing.