Top Towns for 2022: Discover the many things to love about Albany

Danielle Norton pens a love letter to Albany, a port town on Western Australia’s southern coast that endears itself with its bookstores, bakeries and beaches to see why it landed at no.22 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

An Albany love affair

My friends are surprised when I tell them a visit to Albany is like a blind date that goes really, really well. The description on the brochure, a port town in WA’s great South West, did little to highlight the revelatory conversation starters the town had in store for me, the surprises and pleasures that spending time with it would bring, and how it would woo me with its bookstores, bakeries and beaches.

Albany has style and sophistication, but it also has a rugged edge, sitting as it does between the coast and the outback. Alongside the blossoming cultural scene, where film and foodie festivals abound, there’s also the possibility of mountains to climb, historical tales to uncover, and adventures to be had.

Fresh local produce available at the Albany Farmers Market — It’s the little things, like freshly-baked croissants, that make Albany so charming. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Wandering the streets of Albany, I am struck by the little details that make this town so charming. It embraces the artistic talents of its community. Tiny mosaic artworks punctuate the footpaths and the town’s laneways are adorned with street art by both Australian and international artists.

Walking between the farmers’ market and my hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn Albany on the foreshore, I feel like I am being romanced by the town. A fancy restaurant, a contemporary store selling quality clothing, homewares and gifts, a worthy rival for any city shopping strip, an unassuming smile before I see behind its facade into another multi-layered part of its personality.

The town is on its best behaviour, but not afraid to show its true self. A litany of pristine beaches surrounds the town and I am nearly giddy choosing between Ellen Cove and Discovery Bay, where the old Whaling Station sits, Misery Beach (named Australia’s best in 2022), Emu Point and Little Beach.

Full of history and charm

Albany knows to give me options and I feel like this date has really done its homework about me. There are not one, but two, bookshops. Paperbark is fully stocked with bestsellers and recently released tomes, and I love the Gemini second-hand bookshop, which has a whole section dedicated to Western Australian authors such as Tim Winton, Rachael Johns and Craig Silvey.

I sink my teeth into a potato galette at Bred Co and start to convince myself that this combination of flaky, sweet and savoury could be a snack that would satisfy me for the rest of my life.

Albany streetscape — Albany has style and sophistication, but it also has a rugged edge. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

My date also knows I didn’t pay close enough attention in school. The pride of Albany is the National ANZAC Centre. I had completely forgotten the fact that every soldier who fought in Gallipoli had been transported to this tiny town in WA to be shipped from the Port of Albany to Turkey.

For history buffs, the gift shop is well-stocked with obscure books and memorabilia. As we climb to the Convoy Lookout at the top of Mt Clarence, the vantage point makes it easy to see why this was such an excellent position for a fort.

Exterior shot of The National Anzac Centre, at night. The National Anzac Centre is located within the Princess Royal Fortress precinct of Albany Heritage Park. — The pride of Albany is the National ANZAC Centre. (Image: National Anzac Centre)

The views of Frenchman Bay and King George Sound are captivating. I love the fresh air in Albany, the beaches at every turn, the tranquillity, the Saturday morning farmers’ market on Collie Street, the Wilson Brewing Company on a Sunday arvo, kids and dogs included.

I love the university options for regional students, the cosmopolitan celebrations like CineFestOz Albany and Taste Great Southern , Sunday sessions with live music in the Hilton Garden Inn, people walking dogs in the early morning on the foreshore lining up to buy coffee at Haz Beanz , whale-spotting tours, the swimming pool platform in the ocean at Middleton Beach where the local kids take their first strokes.

I love the feats of engineering that have constructed walkways over the wild waters of The Gap and the respect for nature that means humans have left the nearby blowholes unfenced. I love learning that the First People of Albany have a history of embracing the white settlers, who arrived on Christmas Day in 1826, and the Noongar population were not imprisoned or embroiled in battles with them.

The Gap, Torndirrup National Park — The walkways over the wild waters of The Gap are feats of engineering. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The two cultures coexisted at a time when fierce wars were being fought around the country. The Noongar philosophy of sharing the spoils of the land was extended to the newcomers. I love that so much evidence of this exists today; I see the fish traps at Oyster Harbour on the Great Southern Outback Eco Tour, where the traditional owners have been catching fish for about 40,000 years.

I love that the local council respects the Noongar calendar of the seasons, which is installed as an artwork in the courtyard at the visitor centre. When people arrive at this, the southern terminus for the Munda Biddi Trail and the Bibbulmun Track, they can look down and see the six seasons depicted. Albany, I am very impressed. I’ll be waiting for your call.

Explore more of Albany in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com