Albany Beach Camping Guide | Everything You Need To Know

Albany Region is a place where the powerful beauty of nature crashes against stunning coastlines with dramatic cliffs and rock formation. Located on the south coast of Western Australia, Albany features one of the world’s best harbours. Why should you choose Albany Beach as your next destination?

Albany has diverse attractions, which is enough for everyone to cater. The range of activities it offers is vast, whether you like swimming in beaches, hiking or walking, nature or wineries, Albany has everything for everyone. Not only that, but Albany is also rich in cultural diversity and its history seeped in the Aboriginal culture and the pioneering early settlers. Nature, beach, and rich culture and history in one destination is something you would never expect in your holiday, and Albany has it all. Pack your bags and camping gears and drive your way to Albany Beach.

Here is an overview of beach campgrounds in Albany Beach:

Shelly Beach, West Cape Howe National Park
Cosy Corner Beach

Albany Gardens Tourist Park
Betty’s Beach, Manypeaks
Norman’s Beach, Manypeaks

BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park
East Bay Road Campground
Waychinicup Inlet Camping Area

Still not convinced going to Albany Beach? Read this article and learn more!

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How Do I Get to Albany Beach?

You can either ride a bus or drive your car to get there. Direct flight to Albany from Perth is also an option. Driving from Perth is around 4 hours and an approximate 597 km distance, on a single carriageway road with 110 km/hr speed limit. There are overtaking lanes every 5 to 10 km or so. Riding the bus is another way to get there. It is a six hours drive from Perth, Transwa offers daily services to Albany. If you opt to fly directly to Albany, Regional Express Airlines flies daily between Albany and Perth.

What Should I Know About Albany?

Albany is situated between the waterways of the Princess Royal Harbour to the south, the King George Sound to the south and west, and the Kalgan River and Oyster Harbour in the north-west. It is also among the peaks of Mount Melville, Mount Clarence, and Mount Adelaide, 450 km south-east of Perth. For 18,000 years, the area was inhabited by Minang Noongar Aboriginal people before any European Settlements.

Before the British arrived, there were already several other European traders observed. It was during 1826 when the first European settlement was recorded. A penal colony called Fredericktown, in the name of Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and Albany, was established there by British. In 1832, it was known as Albany and became a vital whaling base during the 1840s.

The first recorded migrants were during 1829 and were mainly retired service members on half-pay, professional men that brought their families, and artisans and servants from Britain. The population was enhanced between 1850 and 1868 when convicts were sent to the colony. There were also indentured workers from Asia significantly populating the far north-west of the settlement.

The Port of Fremantle became the gateway to Western Australia not only for migrants but for traders too. Fremantle is situated at the mouth of Swan River, and it is where visitors and locals made business transactions and cultural exchange before Europeans arrived. When Fremantle was improved and opened in 1900, Albany began a temporary decline.

At the top of Mount Adelaide is the Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum. It is where the Albany Barracks and the Princess Royal Battery, the Military Heritage Centre and many more historical buildings are found during the 1900s and World War I & II.

Today, Albany is a popular location for watching humpback and southern right whales during their annual migration and has a whaling museum housed in a former whaling station. There are also National Parks and many beaches in and around Albany. Middleton Beach being the most popular and the closest to the town centre.

How Are the Campgrounds at Albany Beach?

One of the best things when travelling Western Australia, especially in Albany, is that you have the choice to stay in a fancy hotel or camping under the stars. There are free campsites that offer limited accommodations, but of course, you have the option to stay in parks where it is more comfortable.

Shelly Beach, West Cape Howe National Park

Shelly Beach bush is a small natural coastal campsite and is located in the west of Albany. It has limited space, but this area is spectacularly beautiful with a pristine sandy beach and walking trails all around. Caravans, trailers, large vehicles, and dogs are not allowed. They have activities like hang- gliding and paragliding. Entry and camping fees apply.

Cosy Corner Beach

This campsite is situated close to the beach. Cosy Corner Beach is located 30 km west of Albany. The place is a popular campsite during main holidays and challenging to get a site here because it’s too known. This site is best suited for campervans, camper trailers and other RVs. Also, they have a boat launch, beach shower, composting toilets, and bins around. Restrictions also include fire bans, no fires within the shire reserves at any time. Free camping of maximum stay of three nights is allowed.

Albany Gardens Tourist Park

Albany Gardens is the best for you if you are looking for a relaxing holiday or wants to go surfing. The place has powered and unpowered campsites. They have spacious campgrounds, so caravans, camper trailers, and motorhomes are also welcome. This park is pet friendly. Albany Gardens is located in the heart of Albany in the far south of Western Australia.

Bettys Beach, Manypeaks

This place has two camping areas, and at least 6 to 8 caravans are catered. You are also allowed to camp near the beach past the rocks that divide the beach and cove area. Safety precautions should be followed as the place has steep descent. You can camp at the beach for free, but the site is closed from February to April because of the salmon fishing season.

Norman’s Beach, Manypeaks

Located 49 km east of Albany at Manypeaks, this place offers free camping. However, Norman’s Beach is not suitable for big rigs. Its foreshore campground provides a secluded beach setting surrounded by coastal scrub. You can stay here for at least three nights, and the place is dog friendly.

BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park

Big4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park offers powered campsites for caravan and camping. The place is 500 metres of pristine beach frontage. It is a great place to start exploring the beautiful Great Southern.

East Bay Road Campground

East Bay Road Campground is a secluded camping area located 52 km north-east of Albany on Two People’s Bay. They have the basic facilities that suit self-sufficient campers. Caravans are not allowed in this campground since the roads here can be rough. They offer free camping.

Waychinicup Inlet Camping Area

The campground address is Off Cheyne Beach Rd, 60 km east of Albany and it is a National Park site. Dogs are not allowed, and neither are big caravans. Their facilities are basic, so you need to bring your water, but the coastal location is picturesque, and that should be able to compensate for the camping fees you will pay. Activities like fishing, swimming, and canoeing are offered.

If you want to know more about the campgrounds in the area, you can visit their website.

Where Can I Take Bushwalk in Albany Beach?

Albany is a paradise for you if you love hiking and walking. Below are some of the best trails you would like to tackle when in Albany:

Emu Point to Ellen Cove and Port Albany

The difficulty level of this walk is Grade 2, suitable for families with young children. This walk is about 2 to 3 hours one- way and the distance is 8 km. The distance between Emu point and Ellen Cove is 4.6 km which follows to Middleton Beach. Distance from Ellen Cove to Albany port is 3.5 km. The path is relatively flat and well-formed, but you will share it with cyclists so always keep left.

Point Possession Heritage Trail

This walk is about 1 to 3 hours with a distance of 5 km. This spectacular 5 km loop provides some great views of Albany port and has a Grade 3 difficulty level, which means for people with some bushwalking experience. The walk will take you along the narrow isthmus between Princess Royal Harbour and King George sound from Whalers Cove. The trail includes two sections of beach walking.

Bald Head Torndirrup National Park

The Bald Head Walking Trail is 6 to 7 hours of the walk with 16 km return distance. It has a Grade 4 level of difficulty, recommended for experienced bushwalkers. Along the trail, a spectacular view of the striking coastal scenery of the Flinders Peninsula in Torndirrup National Park. The path is very rough and has many obstacles.

What Are the Other Things I Should Do in Albany Beach?

There are other activities and places you should try when in Albany. Following are the places and events you should try:

Explore Albany Whale Museum

Visit the National Anzac Centre
A tour in Brig Amity
Learn about Great Southern Distilling

Wine tasting in Oranje Tractor, Great Southern Wine Region
Short drive to Torndirrup National Park
Embark on the Public Silo Trail

Scenic viewing in Albany Heritage Park

What Are Other Camping Enthusiasts Saying About Albany Beach?

‘’BIG4 Emu Beach Holiday Park is very clean and well presented. Facilities are new and clean. Camping areas are well grassed. The staff are friendly, and the beach is only 50 m away. Fantastic in every way.’’- Dennis S (TripAdvisor)