Making the most of Albany
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The working port features grain silos, piles of wood chips or silica but no passenger facilities.
A brand new 250-meter footbridge directly and safely links Albany's CBD and Lower York Street tourist precinct with the heart of the waterfront and offers elevated views of Princess Royal harbor, one of the world's most stunning natural harbors.
Distance to airport 11kms.
The pier is about a 20-minute walk from the bottom of town. Turn left out of the pier carpark and follow the foreshore footpath to the Entertainment Centre, then take the footbridge (above)that spans the railway line. Turn left on Stirling Terrace, which intersects with York Street. Same spot where the shuttle bus drops you off.
Passengers can walk to town from piers 1.5km distance. Free shuttle buses, a 10 minute ride, are generally arranged by the Port Authority.
In the event of strong winds the vessel will go to anchor at King George Sound and use its tenders to ferry passengers to and from Albany.
Albany is a popular resort town located on one of Australia's most beautiful stretches of coast in the south of Western Australia. It lies on the northern shore of Princess Royal harbor - one of the world's best natural deep-water harbors. Built soon after the first convicts arrived, Albany's oldest buildings include the Old Gaol, the Old Post Office, and the Old Farmhouse. In the area around Albany, you can discover the rugged coastline of the Torndirrup National Park, forests, and arable and sheep farms.
The Albany Wind Farm is one of the most spectacular and largest wind farms in Australia. The wind farm walk offers spectacular views of the eco-friendly turbines along the Torndirrup Peninsula at Sand Patch. The turbines sit atop the escarpment which is windy every week but one, which is why they currently produce 80% of Albany's needs!
Getting around
Central Albany, including the historical precinct, shopping area, and port are within walking distance of each other.
To make the most of this region, especially its national parks, a rental car is the best option.
Many operators provide tours of the area.
Take a stroll down Stirling Tce – noted for its Victorian shopfronts, the Old Post Office and the Courthouse – and up York St, where you’ll see the lovely Saint John’s Anglican Church and the town hall. A guided walking-tour brochure of colonial buildings is available from the visitors center.