Now fully restored, the Gaol is a complex of men’s cell blocks and some warders' quarters, built in 1852 for Imperial convicts shipped to WA as artisans and skilled labourers.
Women’s cells, the Great Hall and more warders' quarters were constructed of brick between 1872 and 1875. At this time the complex was also used as a colonial prison.
The Gaol was last used as a police lockup in the Great Depression of the 1930s. Extensive restoration from 1989 to 1996 returned the Gaol's condition to its original state. Cells, warders' quarters and the Great Hall contain displays pertinent to the times and usage of these stark quarters. Click here for opening times & prices
This eleven room wattle and daub home is the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia.
The cottage is the pride and joy of the Albany Historical Society and a must-see attraction.
Built circa 1832, the cottage consists of an entry, boxroom, parlour, nursery, bedroom, dining room, family room, sewing room, kitchen, laundry and side verandah. Many beautiful artefacts, covering several eras, are displayed in the various rooms.
The cottage is surrounded by a neat English cottage garden.
The Amity sailed from Sydney on 9th November 1826, carrying a party under the command of Major Edmund Lockyer, who had orders to form a settlement at King George Sound.
After a difficult voyage, the first half battling through heavy weather in Bass Strait and the second enduring the summer heat of the westward run, the brig reached Princess Royal Harbour on Christmas Day. The replica
The project to build a replica of the brig Amity commenced in 1972. After much discussion and research, construction started in 1975, with local boat builder Mr Stan Austin as project supervisor and Mr Pieter van de Brugge as leading shipwright. Other local craftsmen joined the team, with the aim of making the replica the focal point of celebratins of the 150th anniversary of the brig's arrival.
When you visit this full-size replica, try to imagine more than 50 men, together with stores, sheep and pigs, sharing this small vessel in a difficult journey taking over six weeks. Click here for opening times & prices
Albany Bicycle Hire provides free bicycle drop off and pick up service to any accommodation in the Albany City area, Middleton Beach or the Visitors Centre. Short term hire is available at Middleton Beach during the Christmas and Easter School Holidays or every day from Havana Villas, Emu Point.
Full day from $25 2 days from $45 3 days from $55 7 days from $85
Private Tuition by Request - $70 for 2 hours, equipment supplied.
Summer School will start in early January. Lessons run for 2 hours each day - All Equipment Supplied - $120 per person
Family Discounts - Ages 6 to 100
Shark repellents used during lessons
Lessons held at Middleton Beach Surf Club, Mutton Bird Beach, Hopetoun - Main Beach, Nanarup Brach, Cape Ritche, Bremer Bay - Bloosoms & Cheynes Beach. Click her for lesson dates & times
Come down to Albany Ten Pin Bowl and enjoy the cheapest bowling in Australia!
- 12 lanes
- UV lights on Friday & Saturday nights
- Air Hockey table and Pool Tables
- Amusement machines
- Fully catered birthday party packages available (with or without cakes)
- Food and Drink available
- Group bookings
Suitable for all ages and abilities!
For those that need some help we have a ramp available.
Holiday Workshops at Southern Edge Arts
Southern Edge Arts is offering two different workshops for these January holidays. Hip Hop for movers and shakers and Steampunk for those who are creative with their hands and want to make stuff.
There are plenty of family friendly beaches around the Great Southern coastline. Middleton Beach, Frenchman Bay and Emu Point have barbeques, playground, toilets and changing facilities. Other good beaches to visit include Little Beach, Gull Rock, Fisheries Beach and Goode Beach.
Bushwalking
The National Parks in the Great Southern provide a wide range of Bushwalking tracks for all types of walking ability. We also have the Bibbulmun Track winding its way through the region. Take a camera and see how many different types of wildflowers, birds and other native creatures you can find. Click on the links for more about National Parks, wildflowers and birds.
Canoeing/ Paddleboats
During summer at Emu Point and you will find canoes and paddleboats, its such a great family friendly beach and a playing in boats is a great activity the whole family can enjoy.
Cycling
With Albany's many beautiful cycle paths, especially the Middleton Beach boardwalk and from Emu Point to Middleton Beach as well as along the foreshore along Frenchman Bay Road.
Ride your own bike or hire a bike and take time out to explore them all is a cheap, fun day out.
Fishing can be enjoyed by everyone, with a great range of accessible fishing spots all around the Great Southern. For the insider knowledge on all the spots in Albany, go to our article Where to fish near Albany WA, or to get all the gear you need go to our Boating, Camping & Caravaning section.
The Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre has many a thing for kids to do. With a leisure pool with beach entry, rapid river ride, in-pool spa, 25m pool, tot's pool with interactive toys, spa & steam room, pool-side cafe, gymnasium, aerobics room and child minding facilities; everyone's happy.
At the Albany Public Library everyone is welcome to come and borrow books, DVDs, videos, magazines, jigsaw puzzles and the like.
Various programs are conducted during school holidays including crafts and story time. Contact the library direct for more information. Visitors card available
The Princess Royal Fortress boasts restored shore batteries, armories, barracks, the 10th Light Horse display, trails and a collection of naval guns and torpedoes. The fortess is also home to the SE Asia Memorial, US Submariners Memorial and Merchant Navy Memorial.
There's a BBQ area and playground perfect for families.
Kids can climb aboard The Brig Amity. It is an exact replica of the original vessel which brought the first settlers to Albany. For a gold coin donation, both above and below deck can be explored.
Albany has a great choice in parks and beaches with playgrounds in some very attractive surroundings for both kids and parents. You can bring a picnic, or pack and bbq, some even have a cafe close by.
Sandboarding
Cheynes Beach and Nanarup are good places to give Sandboarding a go if the kids are game. Before long you'll see the parents joining in too! Sandboards can be hired through Albany Bicycle Hire.
Skateboarding
Skate Parks in Albany:
Sanford Rd (all ages/abilities)
Features: tight configuration of bowls, spine, quarter pipes, hips or rails.
There is also a small section for the beginners.
The Snake Run, Corner of Hare St & Hay St (intermediate/ advanced)
Features: fast runs wtih vertical walls and hip. Reputedly the oldest park in the world still in use.
Mill Park, Little Grove,(juniors and seniors)
Features: small bowl with flat banks, grind rail and grind box. Surrounded by park area with swings for the younger ones.
Lake Weerlara, Parker St, Lockyer (beginners)
Features: small bowl. Right next door is a climbing frame/ playground for the littlies
Snorkelling
Fisheries and Nanarup beaches provides the opportunity for the kids to explore the world underwater and be exposed to many different types of fish and sealife. For where to go, see Coastline and Beaches
Surfing/ Body Boarding
Click on links for more information
If the kids want to try their hand at body boarding, fun waves can be found at Middleton Beach, Nanarup, and Ocean Beach in Denmark. Muttonbird beach is also good, but parents should be warned that when the swell is large waves can get a bit too big for the young ones. Learn to Surf in Summer.
