GateWAy Blog

There have been many whale sightings reported close to Albany over the past few weeks.  Some are seen from the shore and others out near the islands, tour operator, Albany Whale Tours can’t wait any longer, so their season is underway.

A perfect place for lunch is at the Pepper and Salt Restaurant in Denmark. Surrounded by beautfiul gardens, vineyards and water fountains all seen through the most amazing clean windows. The service was outstanding during the entire meal and the table visits from Chef Silas were appreciated and enjoyed. The food was delicious and the presentation meticulous. We loved the origin of the name of the restaurant and the pepper and salt grinder on the table. Chef Silas is Mr Pepper and his wife Ange is Mrs Salt.
We enjoyed the Pepper & Salt Regional Producers Platter and Blue Manna Crab Wontons,Scotsdale Marron in a Shitake and Bacon Hock Broth.

The White Star Hotel is hosting a gala charity dinner on Saturday 21st May 2011 with the theme of the night to be based on the R.M.S. Titanic and the proceeds of the evening to be donated to a great local organisation, the Albany Community Hospice. (more…)

Click on the link below to find out Where to Eat over Easter

We at Albany Gateway wish you all a Safe & Relaxing Easter

Find out what to do over the Easter Long Weekend in our Region.

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Big prizes are on offer for photographers who can capture top pictures on the
theme of ‘Great Southern Life’.

The Great Southern Development Commission (GSDC), Albany Gateway and Albany Camera House (ACH) are offering a prize pool of more than $1500 for digital photos showing ‘why we like to live and work in the Great Southern’.

The Great Southern Life digital photography competition is the third in a series that has showcased outstanding photographic talent from the region over the past two years.

GSDC Chief Executive Officer Bruce Manning said it was a great time of the year to get out and about taking photos for the competition.
“Now is the Great Southern’s festival season, with PIAF events and others providing plenty of photo opportunities,” Mr Manning said. “Apart from that, it is a time for outdoor activities and enjoying the many reasons we like to live and workin the Great Southern.”

The prizes are a mix of cash and vouchers:

• First prize $400 (GSDC) plus $149 ACH voucher for framed canvas print
• Second prize $200 (GSDC) plus $99 ACH voucher for framed print
• Third prize $100 (GSDC) plus $100 ACH print voucher
• Fourth prize $60 (GSDC) plus $100 ACH print voucher
• Eight encouragement prizes of $30 (GSDC)
• Two people’s choice prizes of $50 (Albany Gateway)

The Terms and Conditions can be found on the following link:
http://www.albanygateway.com.au/legal/photo-competition.html

A Tree Top walk was first proposed in this area in 1994 to protect the tingle forest. Construction began a year later.  The construction consists of 60 metre lightweight bridge spans on seven pylons.  It reaches a maximum of 40 metres at the highest point.   It is a world most people never see.  The spans were especially designed to sway slightly as you walk to create the sensation of being in the canopy of the forest.  Well it certainly swayed brilliantly today.   The life of a Red Tingle is approx 400 years and they can reach a height of 75 metres.  They are some of most enormous trees in the world and can only be found in this region.  A distinctive feature of the Red Tingle is the large, hollowed out base.  These have been caused over a long period of time by fire, fungal and insect attack.  Most of the plant life is unique to this area and the tingle forest hosts an abundant food source for native animals such as quokkas, bandicoots, possums and the western grey kangaroo.  As most of these animals only come out at night we need to do a Forest by Night Tour.  Here you get to explore the forest by torchlight beneath a blanket of stars.  The Ancient Empire Walk meanders through a grove of veteran trees at ground level and gives another perspective of the magnificent giants
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Thirty three passengers, floating….. still….. in Princess Royal Harbour channel yesterday morning.  Some may have been on board ‘Sail-A-Way’ as a result of your recommendation:  thank you.

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As luxury accommodation providers, our aim is to give our guests the ultimate experience while in Albany.  We like to recommend places to eat, so we are trying the many restaurants in Albany.

Tonight we headed off to the ‘new’ Rustlers Steak House. The minute we walked through the door we were immediately impressed by the gorgeous surroundings. Rustlers have chosen their colours wisely and used the space well of what used to be a Health Club. (more…)