Albany, Western Australia

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Albany Kinjarling (Noongar: Kinjarling) is a port city in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, about 418 kilometres southeast of Perth. It sits at the northern edge of Princess Royal Harbour, part of King George Sound, with Mount Clarence to the east and Mount Melville to the west. The city is governed by the City of Albany.

History and naming
Albany was founded on 26 December 1826 as Frederick Town, a military outpost of New South Wales to stop French expansion. In 1831 it was renamed Albany as part of the Swan River Colony. The Noongar name Kinjarling means “place of plenty” or “place of rain. In 2020 Albany began officially recognizing Kinjarling as part of its dual naming.

What Albany is known for
- One of Western Australia’s oldest colonial sites and a historic port. For many years it was the colony’s main deep-water port before Fremantle opened in 1897.
- Today Albany is a major tourism hub and the southern gateway to Western Australia’s southwest.
- The National Anzac Centre on Mount Clarence opened in 2014 to mark 100 years since the first Anzac troops left King George Sound; thousands attended the events.
- The harbour area hosted a World War II US Navy auxiliary base and a Royal Australian Navy refuelling installation.

Economy and sights
Albany’s main industries are tourism, fishing, timber and farming. The Whaling Station near Albany is now a museum; Whaling ended in 1978 and is remembered as part of the city’s history. The Western Power Wind Farm at Sand Patch provides a large portion of the town’s electricity.

Land, coast and climate
Albany sits near rugged coastlines and beaches such as Middleton Beach, Frenchman Bay Beach and Misery Beach (named Tourism Australia Best Beach 2022). Misery Beach is famous for its dramatic scenery; Torndirrup National Park nearby features striking coastal rock formations.
The area is home to natural attractions like Natural Bridge and The Gap, plus nearby hills and national parks such as the Porongurups and Stirling Ranges. The Rainbow Coast is a popular nickname for Albany’s beaches.

Climate and weather
Albany has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate: dry, warm summers and mild, wet winters. July is usually the wettest month, and February is often the driest. The town has experienced notable heavy rains, including a major flood in 2008.

Population and services
As of 2021, about 35,000 people live in Albany, making it WA’s sixth-largest population centre. The city offers several primary schools, eight high schools and one university campus. Local transport includes road connections to Perth, a regional airport, and bus services.

Landmarks and culture
Key sites include the Albany Museum, Albany Convict Gaol, The Princess Royal Fortress (The Forts), and Patrick Taylor Cottage. The city preserves many heritage places and celebrates its rich history with festivals and ceremonies tied to its ANZAC heritage.