Western Australia Touring Information

STOP 2: Albany

There is a lot to do here so if time is no object, give your self two or three days to really enjoy it without feeling rushed.

ALBANY HERITAGE PARK and LOOKOUTS

• Mount Clarence Memorial has a short walk up to the summit of Mount Clarence
• ANZAC memorial remembers the ANZACS (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). From here you have stunning views over the Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound.
• Apex Lookout straddles the granite bolder on the summit of Mount Clarence for 360 degree views.
• The Princess Royal Fortress is one of the best outdoor military museums in Australia with underground bunkers and weaponry to explore.
• Convoy Lookout
• Whale Observatory Platform (off Marine Drive)
• Point King Lighthouse (off Marine Drive) is the weathered remains of a lighthouse.
• Marine Drive Lookout.

View from Mount Clarence. Photo: chloedimaria via IG


The Princess Royal Fortress, Albany. Photo: are_we_where_yet via IG


Mount Melville, Albany. Photo: ________me.and.reverie via IG

ELLEN COVE

• Ellen Cove at the south end of Middleton Beach is a calm little nook. It is safe for swimming for three reasons: it is patrolled by surf life savers during summer, it is protected by a headland from the waves, and it has a shark net so you can swim right out to the pontoon without worry.
• Ellen Cove has a pier at the southern end and a boardwalk that will take you to the Whale Observation Deck, the Ataturk Memorial,  Marine Drive Lookout and the Point King Lighthouse.
• At the northern end of Ellen Cove near the Middleton Beach Carpark a tiered grass area is sheltered by tress giving you a shaded place for a picnic with views.
• Facilities include toilets, showers, picnic benches, and a children’s playground.

Ellen Cove pier, Albany. Photo: renaymc via IG

Ellen Cove pier. photo: jolienicole via IG

Middleton Beach, Albany. Photo: janine.tinley_photography via IG

ALBANY MUSEUMS and MORE

• Albany Convict Gaol Museum is a fully restored gaol haunted by the ghosts of its former inmates (apparently).
  ENTRY: $4 adults. $2.50 kids (includes the Patrick Taylor Cottage)
• Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum is a 11 room wattle and daub house furnished as it would have been in its day. It is the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia.
  ENTRY: $4 adults. $2.50 kids (includes the Convict Gaol Museum)
  
• The Museum of the Great Southern shares the stories of the Menang Noongar people and the influence of Mokare, a young Noongar warrior, as well as the stories of the early settlers and convicts. It also informs about the region's unique natural landscape, and its plants and animals. 
  ENTRY: By donation ($5 suggested)
• Take a boat tour out to see the migrating whales (winter) or the coastal wildlife (summer) with Albany Whale Tours. From $58.
• The Alkaline Café has free wifi so you can catch up on emails and social media while powering up on their wholesome and nutrient dense food and beverages.

Museum of the Great Southern, Albany

STOP 3: Torndirrup National Park

Torndirrup is famous for its wild rugged coast and its ancient rock formations. Entry is $13 per vehicle or $6 for concession. The key attractions can be accessed by standard two-wheel drive campervan.

• The Gap – a raised pathway leads from the parking and picnic area over exposed granite to the viewing platform, which juts directly above the surging seas below.
• The Bridge – is a natural granite rock formation that forms a bridge. Access is reached via the same parking area as the Gap.
• Blowholes are the result of water being forced up through cracks in the granite, producing a spray and eerie sounds when the ocean swell is up. When they are blowing, they are a sight not to be missed. Stay well back from the ocean, though. Several lives have been lost.
• There are several great walks in the national park. They’ll give you a map when you pay your entry fee.
• Salmon Holes is the most photographed cove in Tornidirrup National Park. Take the easy walk to the lookout, or take the stairs down to the beach.
• Misery Beach is a sheltered north facing beach which is good for swimming.
• Stony Hill is the highest point in Torndirrup National Park and has great views. You can climb to its summit on the 4.3 km return path. Allow 2 hours.

The Gap. Photo: kedubesaustralia via IG

Bald Hill walk. Photo: eilidhgordongraham via IG

The Gap. Photo: soupstony via IG

Salmon Holes. Photo: rachelsfoley via IG

STOP 4: Gull Rock National Park

Gull Rock is the newest national park in Western Australia and lies 25 km north of Albany. 

• Locals like to swim at Gull Rock Beach on the east side of Ledge Beach which is protected from prevailing southwesterly winds.

Gull Rock National Park. Photo: kaylarowe via IG

Gull Rock National Park. Photo:  road_to_wander via IG

Albany Caravan Parks

• BIG 4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park is right in town on Middleton Beach. It’s a great location. As is usual with BIG 4 caravan parks, they have good facilities – free WiFi, heated swimming pool, camp kitchens, BBQs, kids playground, jumping pillows, showers, laundry. Book exchange, lounge, recreation room, billiard tables, mini movie theatre, tourist information.
  RATES: $43/night for two. $7 additional adults for an unpowered site. $10 powered.
• BIG 4 Emu Beach Holiday Park is also right on the beach. Facilities include camp kitchens, BBQs, kids playground, jumping pillows, showers, laundry. lounge, recreation room, billiard tables, mini movie theatre, tourist information, jumping pillow, mini golf.
  RATES: $30/night for two. $10 additional adults.
• Panorama Caravan Park on Shoal Bay has views across the water to Albany. They don’t have a website, so either call or turn up. 
  RATES: Prices are said to be reasonable. 

Albany Free Camping

• Shelley Beach Car Park is right on the beach of West Cape Howe National Park and has pit toilets but no showers.
  RATES: FREE
• Cozy Corner Camp Ground, just north of West Cape Howe National Park, has picnic tables, BBQs, pit toilets and many campsites by the pristine white sands  of Cosy Corner Beach.
  RATES: FREE

Shelly beach camping.  Photo: chrisparkerone via IG

Shelly beach camping. Photo: 2101josh via IG

Map of the Perth to Adelaide Drive

Look for the purple tags to locate the highlights mentioned in this article.