Albany WA

[Oxenford]

Can anyone suggest things to do in Albany? Are there any private operators running tours? Thanks

[J-D]

We found the old Cheynes Beach whaling station at the tip of the peninsula (now Whale World Museum) to be quite interesting. Commercial whaling occurred here up to 1978. There are scenic lookouts along the rocky shore on the drive out to the whaling station.

 

Closer to town, the military memorials and lookouts commemorating the departure of ships carrying ANZAC troops to Gallipoli almost a century ago are sobering.

 

John

[Aus Traveller]

We found the old Cheynes Beach whaling station at the tip of the peninsula (now Whale World Museum) to be quite interesting. Commercial whaling occurred here up to 1978. There are scenic lookouts along the rocky shore on the drive out to the whaling station.

 

Closer to town, the military memorials and lookouts commemorating the departure of ships carrying ANZAC troops to Gallipoli almost a century ago are sobering.

 

John

 

We went to the Whale World Museum when we were travelling in the area by motorhome and really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to cruiseship visitors but what is the best way to get there? It is a long way out of town.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Whale World is a must when you visit Albany. Do check out their website for the times of the guided tours. They are included in the entrance price and from memory leave every hour on the hour. I think they put on extras for the cruise ship tours. It is a long way out, but the drive is very scenic. We were lucky to pick up a shuttle from the town when we went , but it was just a small van and many were disappointed and got left behind.

A ships tour may be the way to go as at least it would make sure you got there.

The ship will also run a shuttle from the wharf into the town, not very far, only about a 5/10 minute run....like most shuttles you spend more time lining up. We could have walked to town in the time we waited.:D

 

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Bit more on the history of Albany....

 

 

During World War 1, 1914-1918, the ships that carried the ANZAC' soldiers to Europe gathered at Albany. Albany was the last place in Australia that the soldiers saw and is therefore a prominent memorial, with the dedication of the Albany Anzac Peace Park and the pier of remembrance in 2010 a precursor to centenary commemorations planned for 2014-18.

[Oxenford]

Thank you all for your suggestions - they help a lot:)

[GCHAN]

Thank you all for your suggestions - they help a lot:)

 

We were there in February on the Solstice and some friends we met walked off the ship and a local guide took them for a trip at a very reasonable price(they hadn't pre booked). They did put on buses but on our cruise the lines were long from what i heard.

[cassamanda]

Sometimes the ship's are in Albany for half day only in which case Whale World will not put on shuttles.

You actually sail past the old whaling station (at a distance) just after you clear Breaksea Island. It is located near a locality named Frenchmans Bay.

There is a 1 hour town tour that includes the lookouts and Anzac Memorial at Mt Clarence. Departs hourly from near the shuttle drop off in York St.

The tour was put on by Denmark Wine Lovers Tours - maybe check out there web site and email them to get an early tour or pre-book. We used them for our roll call.

There is also a guided town walk tour through the ship that is worthwhile and visits some of the early convict buildings.

 

You sail in through King George Sound where the convoy gathered prior to sailing for Cairo - very daunting.

[Oxenford]

Thank you all for your replies - they are most helpful.:D

[t60]

I would suggest you do not take the Hop on Hop off bus here (Big Blue Bus). We were in Albany on 18th April. There was a free shuttle from the port to the town centre, where there was a sort of visitors market and band on the Green, plus a tourist caravan and several choices of mini tours. We had wanted to do a half day tour, but there wasn´t anything like that on offer. We opted for the HOHO bus. however we were the only ones who ever got off. When we were waiting to get back on the bus, we couldn´t as there were no free seats and it´s against the law to stand. We were stranded at our 1st place (Ellen Cove) for about 90 minutes until a bus was sent back for us, but instead of stopping at the other places we wanted to see we were taken straight back to the town. Where we were expected to get off as we were told the bus had another full tour to go out...you can imagine how pleased we were..not. Eventually we got our money back. We felt the Main street wasn´t very interesting. We walked back to the ship stopping at the Gaol, old school and Heritage site where the replica of the Amity is moored (additonal fee to board)together with an off shoot of the WA museum..which

had an interesting aboriginal history.

Albany has the biggest wind farm in Australia and this was included in the ships tours.

There were rides available on a Harley Davidson, Bentley, RR or old fashioned fire engine.

I would suggest self drive or a ships tour for Albany or pre-arrange something with a local tour operator in advance, perhaps a visit to the Torndirupp national Park to see the natural bridge and gap, there are also wine tasting trips.

I do have more info re ships tours and info from the tourist board in town together with pix if you want to leave me your email

Although people say the whale place is OK people we talked to on board weren´t that impressed

 

Sandy in Spain

[Buckeye 6]

We enjoyed the walking tour with John of "jjtoursalbany" We had a group from our cruise and met at the tourist info center. He does a 2 hour tour for $20. He has a great sense of humor and all the group enjoyed meeting him. Go to his web site and click on walking tour brochure. He will do a special tour time for cruise ships according to their time in port. He has received great reviews on trip advisor Linda