More about hotels in Albany
Albany sits on Western Australia's south coast at the mouth of King George Sound, about 420 kilometres (roughly a 4.5-hour drive) or a 70-minute flight from Perth. It's the state's oldest European-settled town, and it pairs a walkable heritage centre with genuinely dramatic coastline just minutes away, granite headlands, national parks, and one of Australia's better shots at seeing whales from the shore. Whether you're after a beach base, a heritage streetscape to wander, or a launchpad for the Great Southern's national parks, finding the right Albany accommodation sets up the rest of the trip.
Albany's attractions are spread across town and the surrounding coast rather than clustered in one spot, so where you stay changes how far you're driving each day. Here's what to know before you book.
Where to stay in Albany
- Albany town centre: the practical pick for first-timers, walking distance to Stirling Terrace's heritage streetscape, cafes, shops and the Albany Entertainment Centre.
- Middleton Beach and Emu Point: the beach base, good for families, with swimming beaches, parks and walking trails a short stroll from most stays.
- King River: a quieter, more secluded option for nature lovers, with river views and easy kayaking and fishing on the doorstep.
- Torndirrup National Park: staying on this side of town puts The Gap and Natural Bridge within a short drive, worth it if the coastline is the main draw.
What is Albany known for?
The Gap and Natural Bridge, inside Torndirrup National Park, are Albany's best-known natural landmarks: a fenced viewing platform lets you look straight down onto the surging swell about 40 metres below, with the Natural Bridge rock formation just a short walk further along the same stretch of coast. In the sheltered waters of King George Sound, Southern Right and Humpback whales pass close to shore roughly from June to October, and Albany is one of the more reliable places in Western Australia to spot them, including from land-based lookouts.
In town, Dog Rock is a large granite outcrop on Middleton Road shaped like a dog's head, one of Albany's most recognisable roadside landmarks. Stirling Terrace, in the town centre, keeps a run of 19th-century heritage buildings that give Albany's main street its character. A little further out, Albany's Historic Whaling Station at Discovery Bay operates today as a heritage museum alongside a wildlife park and wildflower garden, a popular half-day stop for visitors exploring the coast around town.
How much is Albany accommodation?
Albany's accommodation ranges from hostels and caravan parks through to self-catering apartments and full-service hotels, and prices lift over the summer holidays and through the whale-watching season.
- Hostels and budget stays: the cheapest way to base yourself in town, generally a short walk from Stirling Terrace and the town centre.
- Mid-range hotels and motels: comfortable rooms with everyday amenities like free Wi-Fi and on-site parking, the most common pick for a short stay.
- Self-catering apartments: a kitchen and separate living space, worth it for families or a longer stay.
- Higher-end hotels: the pick for water views or a business trip, usually with the widest range of on-site facilities.
Top-rated hotels in Albany
- Six Degrees Albany CBD Boutique Hotel: set in a heritage building on Stirling Terrace, right in the middle of the historic town centre.
- Dog Rock Motel: on Middleton Road a few minutes from the Dog Rock landmark, a straightforward base between the town centre and the beach.
- Hilton Garden Inn Albany: a modern, business-friendly hotel with free Wi-Fi and parking, a solid pick for a longer or working stay.
- BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park: cabins and powered sites right at Middleton Beach, a family favourite for the summer season.
- The Beach House at Bayside: self-contained stays close to Middleton Beach with views over King George Sound.
- Country Comfort Amity Motel: a well-rated, no-fuss motel within easy reach of the town centre.
Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Albany
- A car makes the most of an Albany trip. The Gap, Natural Bridge, Middleton Beach and the whale-watching lookouts are all a short drive apart rather than walkable from one base.
- Book ahead for the June-to-October whale-watching season and the summer school holidays, when Albany's relatively small number of properties fill up fastest.
- If a national park day trip is the priority, Denmark's William Bay National Park (Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks) is about 40 minutes away, and Porongurup National Park is a similar drive, with Stirling Range National Park roughly an hour further north.
- Self-catering is worth considering for a stay of more than a couple of nights, since Albany's dining options, while good, are concentrated in the town centre.
Ready to book? Explore hotels in Albany for current availability, or check flights to Albany if you're flying in from Perth.
