National Parks

Torndirrup National Park - On the coast south of Albany and Princess Royal Harbour, this park offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Australia.  Acces park via Frenchman Bay Road Scenic Drive.

The Gap and the Natural Bridge - The Gap, a 24-metre drop to the sea, and the Natural Bridge, a monumental span of granite demonstrates the awesome power of the sea when a heavy swell is running.

Jimmy Newells Harbour - A tiny natural harbour named after a fisherman caught in a sudden storm and driven providentially into  this shelter.

Stoney Hill Lookout - Discover the 360 degree views of the Southern Ocean and the back to the City of Albany. A world War II Australian Naval Radio Station was once located here.

The Blow Holes - The Blow Holes are a series of fissures in the granite rocks on the coast, which make loud hissing noises and act like geysers when water is forced by large waves through the rocks.

Salmon Holes - Easy 300m 15minute return to lookout or steep steps down to the beach.

Bald Head - 6-8 hour bushwalk over Isthmus Hill and Limestone Head, finishing at Bald Head, the eastern extremity of the park.

West Cape Howe National Park - The Southernmost point of Western Australia with spectacular granite and limestone cliffs and great variety of plants.  Copastline from Forsythe Bluff south of Cosy Corner, to Lowlands Beach, 30km west of Albany.  Gravel road access from Torbay Hill.  Extensive four wheel drive tracks through the park.

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve - Unspoilt coastal scenery 35km east of Albany providing a vital habitat for threatened native fauna .  There is an Interpretation Centre on site and a Heritage Trail, a one- hour stroll over the headland and along the beach.  Little Beach is a little gem!

Porongurup National Park - Forty kilometres north of Albany the park rises out of rural farmland with granite outcrops and Karri forest featuring alongside spectacular wildflowers in Spring.  There are several walks from easy to those best tackled by experienced bushwalkers.

Waychinicup National Park - This park covers the lower reaches and estuaryof the Waychinicup River, and a line of granite outcrops extending east to Cheynes Beach.  Access the park 45km east of Albany

Stirling Range National Park - The Chester Pass Road runs through the centre of the park and provides easy access to the mountains, although the overall scenery can be enjoyed from the comfort of your vehicle, in reality you will only experience the flora and fauna at its best by taking advantage of the many walks. The park is one of the worlds most important areas for flora, with 1,500 species. More species occur in the Stirling Range than in the entire British Isles and 87 plant species found in the Stirling Range occur nowhere else on earth.

Bluff Knoll - A word of caution, if you are intent on walking, seek advice from the local Ranger first. Water is often very hard to obtain and parties walking here must be prepared to carry all of their water requirements and to be prepared for sudden change of weather, mists and wind chill. It is also important to understand that rain can occur at any time. Bluff Knoll stands 1,095 metres above sea level The peak can be reached by following a well formed bush track but it does require a reasonable degree of fitness. If in doubt seek medical advice. It takes about four hours (weather and fitness level permitting) to complete the six-kilometre return climb using the pre-formed track. Best time to visit is late spring and early summer (October to December) Winter, between June and August, is cold and wet, and visitors should come prepared. Even in spring the weather can be unpredictable, particularly higher in the range. Sudden cold changes cause the temperature to drop and rain or hail to set in. All visitors are strongly advised not to enter the bush or use footpaths on days of extreme fire danger. The range is one of few places in Western Australia where snow occasionally falls. Snow probably falls on the highest peaks several times each year.