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Friday, November 21, 2008. |
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At Albany Gardens Holiday Resort, we want to make your stay with us as memorable and enjoyable as possible. So we've put together some itineraries so you don't miss out on what this beautiful City and region have to offer. Don't hesitate to ask our friendly staff for maps, brochures, or directions. We can even do the bookings for you!
From Emu Point to Middleton Beach to Princess Royal Harbour
From the centre of town take Middleton Road (spot the Dog Rock!) to Golf Links Rd. Turn left and it will take you to Emu Point and Oyster Harbour.
As well as being one of the safest areas for toddlers to swim, Emu Point is also centre of Albany's fishing and oyster industries. While you are there, sample a cup of squid from the Squid Shack or some local mussels or oysters.
Return to Middleton Beach and take a walk along the broadwalk and Whalehead walk to the Pt. King Lighthouse. For those who would prefer to enjoy the scenery in the comfort of their car, take Marine Drive with its numerous lookout bays over Emu Point, King George Sound and out to the open sea.
From there take the Mount Clarence turnoff and drive through the Avenue of Honour to reach the parking area near the top (elderly and handicapped people may drive right to the top). Mt Clarence is the highest point in Albany and the home of the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial- a recast of the original statute erected at Suez in 1932 - a National War Memorial which looks out over King George Sound. Mt Clarence was the assembly point for World War I Convoys enroute to Anzac Cove in 1914.
Turning left again at the bottom of Mt Clarence will take you to the Princess Royal Fortress. The "Forts" was commissioned in 1893 to protect the strategically valuable port against enemy attack. Two gun batteries were hidden in the Mt Adelaide hillside and a nearby barracks housed a small permanent garrison. The former Military Institute has been refurbished as a visitors centre and tearoom. Allow time to stroll around the "Forts" and enjoy the magnificent views and the military history of Australia.
Coastal Attractions
From the Albany Town Centre, head West along Princess Royal Drive (20 minutes) to Whale World - Albany's Historic Whaling Station - and the only museum in the world created from a working whaling station (www.whaleworld.org)
Don't forget Frenchman's Bay - a popular swimming beach and picnic area with a small natural spring and the favourite "bomby rock".
On the return to Albany, visit a few of the natural and man-made wonders on our spectacular coastline such as the Natural Bridge, The Gap, The Blowholes, Jimmy Newhills Harbour, The Salmon Holes, Stoney Hill Lookout and The Windfarm.
All are clearly sign posted as are the range of craft outlets including The House of Gems.
A Country Trip
Take the Chester Pass Road (visit Wignalls Wines on the way - www.wignallswines.com) to the Porongurup National Park and then onto the Stirling Range National Park.
Try Mountain climbing (Bluff Knoll) for the fit, or wander through the national parks. In the Spring view some of Western Australia's unique wild flowers.
For lunch or morning tea visit The Lily, a replica of a Dutch windmill.
For the not so fit, or those with a liking for gold medal class wines, there is a range of wineries throughout the region at Porongurup and Mt Barker.
Their products also compliment the fine foods available locally - see www.greatsoutherntastewa.com
On your way back along Albany Highway, visit the Sandalwood Factory (www.mtromance.com.au) & Deer-o-Dome and Guinea Pig World.
Beach Scenery
Travel east along Lower King Rd to visit both King and Kalgan Rivers. Fishing, swimming, water skiing and canoeing are popular activities in these tranquil waters or learn about the area on a scenic cruise on the Kalgan Queen.
Taste some of Montgomery's Hill wines (www.montgomeryshill.com.au). Public gas barbecues can be used free of charge.
Traveling further east takes you to Nanarup Beach (where you have the choice of open sea or sheltered bay which is great for families or just relaxing) and Two Peoples Bay where you can find Little Beach and Waterfall Beach.
Located nearby is the Two People's Bay Nature Reserve, famous for its colony of noisy scrub birds and potoroos - thought to be extinct until they were re-discovered in 1961. You can also take in the new Interpretive Centre.
On the way home, visit the Marron Farm and taste their wares or stop in for afternoon tea at Gorepani Gallery and appreciate stunning fine arts and crafts.
Discover Denmark and Walpole
Follow the South Coast Highway (Highway 1) for 50km to reach Denmark, a thriving coastal town and cottage craft centre.
River cruises commence from near the bridge or, for the more adventurous a boat can be hired with either oars or outboard. Details on other attractions such as Wineries or an Alpaca farm can be easily obtained from the Denmark Tourist Bureau situated in the main street (08-98482055).
Continue on towards Walpole and take the amazing Tree Top Walk, one of the world's longest (600metres) and highest (up to 40 metres) above some of the tallest Karri trees in Western Australia (www.naturebase.net/tourism).
On the return trip take the alternate route via Lower Denmark Road which gives access to West Cape Howe National Park and Cosy Corner Beach, Mutton Bird Island, Torbay Head (the most southerly point of Western Australia) and to many local crafts facilities.
Historic Albany
Albany was proclaimed a City on the 1st July 1998 and now has a population of over 31,000. As Western Australia’s premier regional city, it has the distinction of being the site of the first European settlement in WA when Sir Edmund Lockyer arrived in 1826 aboard the Brig Amity and settled a British penal outpost.
Just park near the Residency Museum (built in the 1850s) on Princess Royal Drive, and in easy walking distance of the Brig Amity (a replica of the brig which brought the first settlers from Sydney to Albany in 1826), The Old Gaol (built in 1851), The Courthouse (still in use after over 100 years) and Patrick Taylor Cottage (built in about 1832).
From there via St John's Church to Stirling Terrace and its many fine old buildings including the Old Post Office (opened in 1870).
Back in the car and along Serpentine Rd to the Mount Melville lookout which gives virtually a 360 degree view over the countryside surrounding Albany.
Make your way back to Middleton Road and The Old Farm, Strawberry Hill. The original was built on the site of the Government Farm in 1831. The present two-storey stone structure was built in 1836 of the Government Resident at Albany, Captain Sir Richard Spencer. Try their renowned Devonshire teas during your visit.