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
Albany is a working port with grain silos and stockpiles of wood chips or silica, but it has no passenger facilities.
A new 250-meter footbridge gives a direct, safe link from Albany's CBD and the Lower York Street tourist precinct to the waterfront. It also provides raised views over Princess Royal harbor, one of the world's most striking natural harbors.
The airport is 11kms away.
From the pier, the lower part of town is about a 20-minute walk. Leave the pier carpark to the left and follow the foreshore path to the Entertainment Centre; use the footbridge (above) across the railway, then turn left onto Stirling Terrace, which meets York Street. This is also the shuttle-bus drop-off point.
Town is 1.5km from the piers on foot. The Port Authority generally arranges free shuttles, taking 10 minutes.
In strong winds, vessels anchor in King George Sound and use tenders to carry passengers between Albany and the ship.
On southern Western Australia's northern Princess Royal harbor shore, Albany is a resort town on one of Australia's most beautiful coastlines and beside one of the world's finest natural deep-water harbors. The Old Gaol, Old Post Office and Old Farmhouse are among its oldest buildings, constructed shortly after the first convicts arrived. The surrounding area includes Torndirrup National Park's rugged coast, forests, arable land and sheep farms.
Albany Wind Farm is among Australia's largest and most spectacular. Its walk gives views of the eco-friendly turbines along the Torndirrup Peninsula at Sand Patch. The turbines stand on an escarpment that is windy every week but one, and currently produce 80% of Albany's needs.
Getting around
Central Albany's historic precinct, shopping area and port are all within easy walking distance of one another.
A hire car is the best way to make the most of the region, particularly its national parks.
Numerous operators run area tours.
Walk along Stirling Tce for Victorian shopfronts, the Old Post Office and the Courthouse, then continue up York St to see Saint John's Anglican Church and the town hall. The visitors center has a guided colonial-buildings walking-tour brochure.