The Southern Ocean

The area immediately east of Albany is one of the most rich, beautiful and diversified in the State. Its main attraction is the fact that it is pristine and largely undiscovered. With craggy mountain ranges, wild coastal scenery tumbling into the vast Southern Ocean and the historical associations of Albany, it has much to offer all tastes and ages.

The Stirling Ranges and Porongurups National Parks

The prime time to visit is between September and November, when the wildflowers are at their best.  However, there is always something to see; the banksia species, for instance, often flower during summer months.

The Stirling Ranges National Park is a world famous biological hot-spot, and is home to a wide variety of unique and rare Western Australian wildflowers.  Over 1,500 plants (82 of which are endemic) and 140 bird species have been recorded.  The Park is traversed by a number of well-defined trails from relatively short and easy to overnight treks involving mountain climbing skills.

The Porongurups Range (2,401 hectares), due south of the Stirlings, is equally well-endowed with unique flora and fauna, as well as being an island relic of the karri forests found further west along the South Coast.  This 1100 million years old landform rises abruptly from the rolling farmland that surrounds it, and offers easy walks that afford wonderful views. Delightful picnic spots and the many local wineries, now established in the foothills, provide ideal rest areas.  

Two Peoples’ Bay Nature Reserve and Waychinicup National Park

Two Peoples’ Bay is an area of outstanding beauty and boasts idyllic beaches. Set aside as a reserve primarily to protect the Noisy Scrub Bird, today you would be unlucky not to hear this  elusive bird’s strident call, and sightings of it are not unknown.  A programme to save the Gilbert’s Potoroo has also been conducted in the Reserve over the last several years and has been very successful.  An excellent visitors’ information centre is located in the Reserve. 

Waychinicup National Park nestles on the eastern flanks of Mt Many Peaks.  Beautiful coastal scenery, wildflowers and birds abound. This is another favourite location with flora and bird lovers

Albany

Settled on the northern shore of a natural harbour that rivals that of Sydney, Albany is a very attractive small city (pop: circa 33,000) and regional centre.

Historic Albany, the earliest European settlement and the oldest town in Western Australia, was the departure point for Anzacs leaving for Gallipoli. Strawberry Hill Farm, WA's oldest farm is a National Trust property, open to the public. St John’s Anglican church, built in 1849, is WA’s oldest church.

Other interesting places to visit include the Old Gaol, the Residency Museum, the Amity Brig replica and the Forts. The recently established Wind Farm demonstrates the local community's commitment to clean, green energy and has become a very popular tourist attraction.

Whaleworld incorporates a fascinating museum of this now banned industry and is located on spectacular coast where you can experience the forces of nature at The Blowholes and The Gap. The magnificent King George Sound can also be explored by a harbour cruise which includes visiting the site of the HMAS Perth dive wreck.

Other activities and attractions include whale watching (between July and October), climbing, bush walking, diving, fishing and sailing. Safe swimming beaches include Gull Rock, Nanarup Beach and Betty's Beach. Take the walk trails along the tranquil Kalgan River, go canoeing and check out the view and excellent coffee at Gorepani Art Gallery. There is hang gliding in the Stirlings.

Excellent boutique wineries include Montgomery's Hill and award-winning Wignalls Winery. Country restaurants are often in delightful and unique settings.  Mayleea's Thai restaurant in the Porongurups is situated on a bamboo farm, and The Lily is a perfect replica of a Dutch windmill, set on a rolling pastoral farm. A plethora of eating establishments are available in Albany.

Mount Barker

Mount Barker is located 50 km north of Albany and is the centre of the Plantagenet Shire.  Here the visitor can absorb the rural atmosphere of a typical country town. It has many points of interest, including its unique Banksia Farm.  A very informative and helpful Tourist Bureau will provide you with a personalised tour itinerary.

Break out!

You are encouraged to break from the usual tourist circuit (South West WA to Albany and return to Perth via the Albany Highway) with a detour slightly eastwards, staying awhile at Charnigup Farm to sample what we know will be a memorable taste of this delightful and as yet undiscovered region.

Charmaine Hickman
Charnigup Farm B & B

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	Homepage - Tourist Information - North and East of Albany

This page last updated 19-Dec-2005