Albany Tours

Albany tours in Western Australia run as guided half-day and full-day trips from the south coast town: a whaling station and the National ANZAC Centre, a walk to the Granite Skywalk in Porongurup National Park, winery and distillery days in the Great Southern, and a 4WD trip through the Pemberton forests. Most start with pick-up from Albany accommodation. This page sorts them by what you want from the day, and the things to do in Albany page covers the wider picture.

Wine, whisky and food tours from Albany

The Mt Barker Grape Escape Tour is the full wine day, a 6-hour trip across four wineries around Mt Barker. It starts at Gilbert Wines with Riesling, Shiraz and Chardonnay, then moves to a private tour and tasting at Plantagenet Wines and to West Cape Howe for wine, olive oil and coffee, with a shared platter of local produce for lunch. It departs Friday to Monday at 9.30am, with complimentary pick-up and drop-off in Albany if needed.

The Tastes of the Great Southern Food and Wine Tour is the daily alternative, leaving at 9.30am for a 6-hour trip that mixes cheese and wine tastings with local preserves, a private tour and whisky tasting at Limeburners Great Southern Distillery, and lunch at The Lake House Denmark. Hotel transfers are included.

Choose the Grape Escape for a wine-led day between Friday and Monday, and the Tastes tour for a mix of cheese, wine and whisky on any day of the week.

Porongurup National Park and the Granite Skywalk

The Porongurup National Park and Granite Skywalk Tour is a 5-hour trip that leaves at 9am and is back at 2pm. The granite range is a 45-minute trip from Albany, and a guided 4.2km walk leads to the suspended Granite Skywalk on Castle Rock, with views across farmland to Mt Gardner and the Stirling Range and out towards the Southern Ocean.

Lunch is at Ironwood Estate Wines, entry to the national park and skywalk is included, and the guide talks through the local history, with native birds and plants along the walk. Pick-up within 3km of the Albany CBD can be arranged when you book.

History and whaling tours in Albany

The Albany History and Highlights Tour is a 4-hour tour that leaves daily at 9am. It includes entry to the National ANZAC Centre on Mount Clarence, which overlooks the harbour where thousands of men and women left Australia for the First World War, a visit to the Patrick Taylor Cottage Museum for the early colonial story, and a morning or afternoon tea stop at Middleton Beach.

The Albany's Historic Whale Story Tour is a 4-hour trip, about 9am to 1pm, that follows Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound to Albany's Historic Whaling Station at Discovery Bay. Inside, you step into a whaling ship and see whale skeletons and films about the industry, then drive through Torndirrup National Park, with morning tea included.

A forest and beach 4WD tour from Pemberton

The Pemberton Beach to Forest Eco Adventure Tour leaves from the Pemberton Discovery Centre at 9am or 2pm, so it is a separate trip from the Albany pick-up tours. The 4-hour 4WD tour drives through Warren National Park and its karri forest to D'Entrecasteaux National Park, where Dead Man's Lake is a stop and kangaroos, emus and black cockatoos are the wildlife to look for. Lunch or afternoon tea and the national park fees are included.

For killer whales in season, the Bremer Bay expedition leaves from Bremer Bay and is listed on the Albany page.

Choosing an Albany tour and how pick-up works

Match the tour to the hours you have: the history and whale story tours are 4-hour mornings, the Porongurup walk is a 5-hour trip, and the food and wine days are 6-hour trips. The Albany Tours day trips offer complimentary pick-up and drop-off at Albany accommodation on the History and Highlights, Tastes of the Great Southern and Mt Barker tours, selected hotel pick-ups on the Whale Story tour, and pick-up within 3km of the CBD on the Porongurup tour, which you request when booking. Each Albany Tours trip runs with a minimum of 2 guests.

The Albany Tours day trips suggest a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, warm clothing, a rain jacket and a water bottle.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of tours run from Albany, WA?

Tours from Albany include winery and distillery days in the Great Southern, a guided walk to the Granite Skywalk in Porongurup National Park, history tours of the National ANZAC Centre and Albany's Historic Whaling Station, and a 4WD tour through the Pemberton forests.

Do Albany tours include hotel pick-up?

Most do. The History and Highlights, Tastes of the Great Southern and Mt Barker tours offer complimentary pick-up and drop-off at Albany accommodation if needed, the Whale Story tour has selected hotel pick-ups and the Porongurup tour picks up within 3km of the CBD when requested at booking. The Pemberton tour starts at the Pemberton Discovery Centre.

How long are the Albany day tours?

The History and Highlights and Whale Story tours are 4-hour trips, the Granite Skywalk tour is a 5-hour trip, the Mt Barker and Tastes of the Great Southern tours are 6-hour days, and the Pemberton 4WD tour is a 4-hour trip.

How hard is the Granite Skywalk walk near Albany?

The guided walk is 4.2km return and includes climbing over rocks and a 6m ladder, so moderate fitness is needed. The Porongurup tour is a 5-hour trip that includes lunch at Ironwood Estate Wines.

Can children join Albany tours?

Yes. The Albany Tours day trips sell child tickets for ages 0 to 16, and children aged 16 or under must be accompanied by a paying adult. The Pemberton 4WD tour has a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children.

Which Albany tours include lunch?

The Porongurup tour includes lunch at Ironwood Estate Wines, the Mt Barker Grape Escape includes a shared platter lunch, the Tastes of the Great Southern tour includes lunch at The Lake House Denmark, and the Pemberton tour includes lunch or afternoon tea. The History and Highlights and Whale Story tours include morning tea.

Choose between a wine day, a walk in Porongurup or a morning of Albany history, and book your Albany tour from the list above.