Albany is a coastal city on the southern coast of Western Australia, west of Denmark, and home to just under 43,000 people.
We're currently living full-time in our campervan, a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter, and exploring Australia, with a plan of "driving the lap" (completing the entire perimeter of the country). I first visited Australia in 2019, following the classic backpacker route, mostly visiting big cities, staying in hostels and traveling by public transport. This time, with the freedom of our campervan, we're trying to hit the lesser known spots and go slower.
For over 50,000 years, the Menang people of the Noongar nation have lived on this land, long before the first Europeans arrived, calling it Kinjarling meaning "place of rain".
The first recorded sighting of Albany was in 1627 by the Dutch mariner Peter Nuyts. The area was claimed by the British in 1791 by British naval officer George Vancouver and later charted by Matthew Flinders in 1802. A British outpost was set up in 1826 and the settlement - the first in Western Australia - officially established in 1827. It quickly became an important port for mail, cargo, coal and passengers from Europe, leading to the growth of the town. Whaling was also very prominent here until the whales were sadly depleted, closing only in 1978, the last in Australia to do so.
→ Read the complete history of Albany.
We first visited Albany in November 2025 and returned in March 2026 and updated the original post with all the new things we did. This post was first published on 28 November 2025; last updated 28 March 2026.
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Useful Information for Albany
Below is some useful information for preparing for your trip to Albany. In all cases, please be sure to check with the relevant local authorities for the latest and accurate information.
Language: The official language of Australia is English. In Albany, the traditional language of the Menang people of the Noongar nation is Mirnang.
→ Learn more about the language of the Menang people of the Noongar nation.
Currency: The currency used in Australia is the Australian dollar, denoted as AUD $. I use a Wise account when I travel which allows me to have a single, free account with multiple currencies. I only have to pay once to convert my money in the app and then I can pay in AUD $!
→ Check the latest currency conversion between AUD $ and your local currency.
Data/WiFi: Before you arrive, I recommend purchasing an eSim on your phone so that you can access data the moment you land. eSims are much more convenient as it means you don't have to put a separate physical Sim into your phone. AirAlo offers great deals for eSims of various data sizes and time lengths with Optus.
→ Load an international eSim on your phone with AirAlo.
If you are visiting Australia long term, you might wish to put a physical Sim in your phone as AirAlo is geared more towards short term visitors on holiday. This way you can access a local phone plan. There are three main mobile phone network providers in Australia: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Telstra has the best coverage across the country whereas Optus and Vodafone are good within cities. I recommend Telstra as it means you have the best coverage while you travel around the country, especially in rural areas.
Free WiFi is available at Albany's Leisure and Aquatic Centre, Visitor Centre, Public Library and in the town square and Youth Challenge Park.
Visa: All passport holders except New Zealand require a visa to visit Australia. All arrivals must fill out an Australian arrival card before landing.
→ Check which visa you need for Australia.
Time of year to visit: Australia can be visited all year-round. Albany, situated on the southwest coast of the country, south of Perth in Western Australia, can get very hot in the summer and cool in the winter months. I recommend visiting in spring (September-November) or autumn (March-May) for pleasant, sunny days.
Length of stay: Across two visits, we spent three days in the Albany area exploring the town, nearby activities and of course the gorgeous beaches.
How to Get to Albany
By flight: The closest major airport is in Perth, a five-hour drive north.
→ Check out my complete guide to visiting Perth!
Albany also has its own smaller regional airport which connects to Perth and other destinations across Western Australia, so if traveling internationally you could fly into Perth and transfer to Albany.
By car: If you're driving around the country as we are in our campervan, then the easiest way to get to Albany is with your own wheels. This gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, stopping whenever and wherever you like.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Perth.
You might want to start in Perth as your base for renting a campervan to explore Australia.
→ Rent a campervan in Perth with Apollo, Camplify, Indie or Juicy.
By coach: Transwa runs a bus between Albany and Bunbury.
By guided tour: You can join a multi-day guided tour from Perth to Esperance via Margaret River, which includes a visit to Albany, a great option if you don't have your own vehicle or simply want to go the guided route.
How to Get Around Albany
On foot: The city of Albany is fairly compact and the main highlights within the city can be seen on foot.
→ Check out the different walking routes in Albany.
→ Join a walking tour with wine tasting through Albany.
By car: The main thing people come to Albany to see are south of the city in the national parks and the beaches. These are best explored with your own wheels. We are traveling around the entire country in our campervan for a year and it gives so much freedom to get around.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Albany.
By bike or ebike: If you don't have a car, a bike or ebike could be a super fun way to get around town and some of the local beaches and coastal paths.
→ Rent a bike or ebike with Albany Bicycle Hire.
By taxi: Uber does not yet operate in Albany but there are a number of local taxi companies in operation throughout the city.
By bus: There is a comprehensive bus network servicing Albany operated by TransAlbany.
By guided tour: There are a few interesting guided tours available in Albany, including in the national parks nearby, boat tours, whale watching and wine tasting.
Where to Stay in Albany
Hotel: Not traveling by campervan? Visiting from nearby Perth or Margaret River? Driving in a car? Whatever your reason for needing a place to stay, there are some great accommodation options in Albany.
→ Check out places to stay to suit your budget and accommodation type.
Camping: We are driving "the lap" around Australia, exploring the country in our campervan. The best way to find camping spots is to use an app. We use Wikicamps Australia, a cheap app that has every single amenity listed (both free and paid) that you might need on the road. This includes things like where to fill up fresh water, where to dump grey water, where to empty toilets, where to stay, gas stations, information points and also has suggestions for things to do as you go.
→ Download the Wikicamps Australia app.
We visited Albany on two different visits. In November, we stayed at a free campground at Betty's Beach which was just fantastic. It's right on the beach overlooking the ocean. There are technically only six spots, but it was crammed full with campers when we visited!
In March, we stayed at a paid campground right on the coast at rainy, cozy Shelley Beach in West Cape Howe National Park. Big waves crash on the shore and is popular for fishing. Entry to the national park incurs a $17 day pass fee (or you can visit if you hold a WA annual national park pass). Camping costs $15 per person per night and is collected by a ranger on site.
Betty's Beach
Shelley Beach
Where to Eat in Albany
Royal Turban is located in the Amity Motel so a bit unassuming but trust me, this was one of our favourite Indian meals in Australia! The service was fast and great, the food was mouthwateringly good (get the paneer curry and some mango lassis) and the interior tastefully decorated with bright colours. Reservations recommended.
Best Beaches to Visit in Albany
The main things people come to Albany to explore are its national parks home to gorgeous beaches and fascinating history. Here are all the spots we visited:
Betty's Beach
A bit further out of Albany after about 40 minutes of driving west, you'll find the stunning Betty's Beach. Incredible granite boulders line the white sand around a secluded cove which is popular for salmon fishing in the autumn.
Salmon Holes
This gorgeous beach is south of Albany in Torndirrup National Park, a region famous for its whaling history. It was a windy, overcast day when we visited but the magic of the beach below the viewpoint near the parking lot was there nonetheless. The waves are pretty wild so swimming is not recommended but this is a popular spot for salmon fishing, hence the name!
Salmon Holes is in Torndirrup National Park so incurs a $17 day pass fee (or you can visit if you hold a WA annual national park pass).
Misery Beach
This gorgeous beach is south of Albany in Torndirrup National Park, a region famous for its whaling history. It was a windy, overcast day when we visited but known for its bright blue waters on a clear, calm day
Salmon Holes is in Torndirrup National Park so incurs a $17 day pass fee (or you can visit if you hold a WA annual national park pass).
Whaling Cove
Whaling Cove is south of Albany on the Vancouver Peninsula, a region famous for its whaling history. It was a windy, overcast day when we visited but we enjoyed walking over the rocks and along the white sand regardless.
→ Combine your trip with a visit to Albany's Historic Whaling Station.
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
