Attractions south-east of Albany...Frenchman Bay and Torndirrup Peninsula.
There is a lovely drive along Frenchman Bay Road right around to the far side of Princess Royal Harbour to the beautiful swimming beaches and spectacular view of the Vancouver and Flinders Peninsulas. So many of the best and most well-known Albany attractions are in this area.
TORNDIRRUP NATIONAL PARK: It is characterised by windswept coastal heath and amazing granite landforms edged by tall cliffs and wild surf, but also has a few beautiful white-sand beaches. Albany attractions within this Park include the Gap, Natural Bridge and the Blowholes.
The Albany Wind Farm: There are 18 massive turbines perched 80m high above the sea and they can generate up to 75% of the city's electricity. Walking paths lead right up to the base of the wind turbines and down to the sea cliffs:-
There is a boardwalk offering some spectacular views of the wild south coast and amazing sunsets. A wooden staircase descends the cliffs beneath the wind farm and at the base is a rocky platform pounded by ferocious surf, and a few small patches of beach. The fishing here is excellent but king waves are extremely dangerous and fishermen have to be very careful. A spectacular sunset:-
The Natural Bridge is an arch of granite beneath which large waves crash. Along with the Gap, it's the most visited feature of the Torndirrup National Park:-
The Gap is only a short walk over the rocks from the Natural Bridge:-
The Gap, a narrow chasm in the tall sheer-sided cliffs is spectacular on a rough day (and even on a relatively calm day as well). Big waves surge into the Gap and crash against the cliffs, sending water and spray high into the air:-
Cable Beach bears the full brunt of the Southern Ocean swells, so is usually a dangerous beach for swimming but a spectacular and spacious beach for long walks and fishing:-
Jimmy Newell's Harbour. This pretty inlet must be the only calm sheltered place on the treacherous south coast. It is an excellent place for fishing and I understand the place was named after a sailor named Jimmy Newell who sought refuge in this natural harbour during a severe storm:-
The Salmon Holes is a beautiful beach - peaceful and good swimming on a calm sunny day, dramatic with crashing waves on a rough windy day. Once again king waves can be dangerous and care must be taken whether swimming or fishing:-
Bald Head and the Flinders Isthmus Walk trail: Bald Head is the very end of Flinders Peninsula. It has a 16km-return walk trail from the Salmon Holes along the isthmus to Bald Head with intersting rocks to explore and spectacular ocean views. Love the rainbow:
Whale World is a museum all about whales, whaling and, in particular the history of Albany's whaling industry. It's location is the site of the old whaling station in King George Sound that ceased operating in 1978. Many of the original buildings and structures remain, including the Cheynes IV, a whaling ship:
Albany is a sub-region of the Great Southern region of Western Australia and has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers; cool, wet winters and very pleasant springs and autumns in between. Summers sometimes have short spells of very hot weather, but the cool breezes off the Southern Ocean bring relief, especially during the nights. The city is situated on what is promoted as the "Rainbow Coast" which is an appropriate title given the significant frequency of days with both sun and drizzle and showers.
There is much more I could show you and talk about but enough is enough. One of our holidays in Albany years ago was with our three eldest granddaughters when they were quite young and in later years with #2 granddaughter and our #1 great-granddaughter. So many, many happy memories.
