7 Best Albany Tours To Do This Year: Hikes, Orcas, Wine-Tasting, And More!
If you’re heading to Albany, Western Australia, you’re in for something truly special.
The Gap and Natural Bridge are incredible, you’ll see all the force of nature in there. The Kalgan River is filled with wildlife and some friendly pelicans, and don’t get me started on Castle Rock – the views are otherwordly.
Thankfully, there are tours to take you to all of these places. Not that you need them, but having a guide showing you around, sharing tips and information about these spots truly enhances any trip.
So, we rounded up what we think are the 7 best Albany tours! We hope they make your visit unforgettable.
From nature tours to wine-tasting, this list has you fully covered. Let’s get started!
In a hurry? Here are 3 EPIC tours in Albany
Table of Contents
7 Epic tours in Albany, Western Australia
We recognise the traditional owners of this land, the Menang.
Note: Most of the links included are GUARANTEED to have the lowest price available, 24-hour free cancellation, and “Reserve Now, Pay Later” features. Take advantage of that!
1) The Gap and Natural Wonders
3h30m | Big group | Check tour here
Best for: Visiting all the main highlights of Albany in one morning.
This is the perfect tour to do on the first day of your trip! It will take you to the main highlights of Albany – The Gap, Natural Bridge, Albany Wind Farm, and even the summit of Stony Hill.
You can check out those spots with this tour and decide whether to visit them again later and spend more time, or explore something else.
Plus, your knowledgeable guide will give you info about the places visited and can give you tips so you can make the most out of your visit.
One downside is that it’s a big group (57 people max), which can be a turn-off for some.
Pros:
Cons
A great intro to Albany and its sights. Had a great half day tour of the Gap and sights around Albany. Small group. Tim, our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining – a story for all occasions and great fun. Highly recommended.
-Tripadvisor Reviewer
2) Kalgan River Bottom-Glass Cruise
4 hours | Small group | Check tour here
Best for: Nature enthusiasts who want to learn more about the wildlife in Albany, as well as the history of the town.
This is an epic tour to spend a relaxing morning cruising along the Kalgan River, learning about the wildlife of the area.
You’ll see everything from eagles and hawks to kangaroos, as well as fish swimming under the boat. There are pelicans too, which are very curious – don’t be surprised if they join you!
The guide will also share the Aboriginal and European history of the area.
Pros:
Cons
Absolutely awesome day with Captain Jack. Loads of great history and entertaining stories, as well as interaction with lots of local wildlife. Heartily recommend.
-Andrew
3) Granite Skywalk Porongurups
5 hours | Small group | Check tour here
Best for: Visiting the nearby Castle Rock without doing the drive… and going for a wine-tasting plus delicious lunch after the climb!
This is an ideal tour for those who want a mix of a thrilling hike with jaw-dropping views, followed by a delicious wine-tasting and gourmet lunch.
It’s a very convenient tour, as it includes pretty much everything – guide, entry fees, wine tasting, lunch. If you want to enjoy the area while taking a break from driving, book this tour!
Pros:
Cons
A great hike with an excellent guide. Such a beautiful view on the top of the mountain. Bring plenty of water as it is up hill for 2 k’s. Very well engineered skywalk. You need some fitness to make it all the way to the top.
-David
4) Mt Barker Wine-Tasting Tour
7 hours | Small group | Check tour here
Best for: Go winery-hopping in Albany without worrying about driving afterwards.
Go wine-tasting at 4 excellent wineries in Albany and don’t worry about getting behind the wheel!
It’s a small group (7 people tops) – perfect for those travelling in groups. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included, as well as lunch.
Pros:
Cons
We had a great day with Susan visiting several wineries. The bus was very comfortable, the lunch was delicious and the wine was delicious!!
-Jessica
5) Full-Day Killer Whale Expedition from Albany (January to April only)
12 hours | Big group | Check tour here
Best for: Seeing orcas (killer whales) up close in Bremer Bay without driving all the way to and from there.
Hundreds of orcas go to Bremer Bay every year, from January to April. It’s a 2-hour drive from Albany, though. Thankfully with this tour, you won’t have to worry about any of that!
Just go to the meet-up point in Albany and the driver will take you to Bremer Bay, where you’ll go on an orca tour with one of the oldest operators in the area, Naturaliste Charters.
We rated them as the 2nd best orca tour operator in Bremer Bay. They are widely renowned, however, they offer tours for up to 90 people – quite a big group if you ask us.
If you’re planning on spending a few days in Bremer Bay, there’s a better operator that provides tours for smaller groups. We went with them and can’t recommend them enough!
We tell you all about that in this guide with the best orca tours there, things to know, and more.
Pros:
Cons
There’s not more to say than this is an unbelievable experience!! We were picked up and taken early and had a very enjoyable and knowledgable journey to the bay (…) I would recommend this to anyone. Although if you are prone to sickness a warning to get tablets (…) Then picked up and dropped home – thank you so much for a great experience.
-Tripadvisor Reviewer
6) National Anzac Centre Entry Ticket
Full day access | Grab tickets here
Best for: History buffs and anyone wanting to learn more about WWI and Anzac’s story in an unconventional way
The National ANZAC Centre is an award-winning museum, and no wonder why – it’s designed so that you can create a personal connection to the soldiers who served WWI and the ANZAC’s role in the war.
You can “assume” the identity of one of 32 men and women who actually served, follow their footsteps through the war, and learn their fates at the end of your visit.
The museum also has permanent and temporary exhibitions. Plus, it’s located on the grounds of Princess Royal Fortress, which has amazing views of King George Sound!
There’s a lot to see and the views are epic, so it’s recommended to allow for 2 hours!
Pros:
Cons
Amazing experience, a must do if you are nearby
-Johnny
7) 4 Day Tour From Perth To Albany
4 days | Big group | Check itinerary here
Best for: Those who are strapped for time and want to visit Albany plus other highlights of the south west in a carefully planned itinerary.
This tour is the very definition of “jam-packed.” It includes:
Albany: ANZAC Centre, Albany’s historic whaling station, The Gap and Natural Bridge. All the main highlights.
Walpole: Nornalup Inlet, Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk.
Pemberton: Beedelup Falls, Boranup Forest.
Augusta: Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Mammoth Cave.
It’s an intense itinerary but includes all the main highlights of the region. 100% recommended if you’re a first-time visitor and may not have the opportunity to do the road trip yourself in the future.
All accommodations and meals are included, too! The only downside is that it’s quite a bit group – almost 50 travellers.
Pros:
Cons
Varied trip, packing a large amount of sightseeing, history & nature. Highly recommended, hotels and food were good quality.
-Giulia
Things to know before booking an Albany tour
Most tours in Albany are available year-round. But if you want to do the orca tour, know that those are only available from January to April.
You should also consider the guarantees and policies of the tour operator.
Booking with a third party like Viator can give you perks like “Reserve Now and Pay Later” and/or free cancellation.
Life is quite unpredictable and these tours can be pricey. Having these benefits can be a safety net that gives you peace of mind if you need to cancel or reschedule the trip without losing that money.
Thankfully, most of the tours we mentioned have “Reserve Now and Pay Later” PLUS free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. Take advantage of that!
Top Tips
Albany is a 4.5-hour drive from Perth, making it the perfect destination if you’re itching for a road trip that has a little bit of everything.
There are lots of things to do in Albany that aren’t in any tours, like snorkelling at King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour, hiking the Bald Head Walk Trail or seeing the blowholes.
That’s why we created an ultimate guide with 20 things to do in Albany to help you plan your visit – even where to stay, where to eat, and more!
Check our complete guide to Albany here.
FAQs
How many days should I spend in Albany?
You should spend around 3-4 days in Albany. This will allow you to do a little bit of everything:
-Check out the Torndirrup National Park, including The Gap, Natural Bridge, and the blowholes.
-Visit the beaches (don’t skip Misery Beach!).
-Explore the museums, like the ANZAC Centre or the whaling station.
-Stroll around the town centre.
The bottom line
There are plenty of tours in the amazing Albany to choose from!
Maybe you want to pick any of the half-day tours to check out the main highlights of the town. Or prefer a 4-day tour to dive deep into this historically significant region with its incredible landscapes.
Whatever you decide to do, Albany has no shortage of incredible experiences.
But honestly, you don’t need any of these tours to have a blast in Albany. The town’s natural beauty and chill vibes will make your trip unforgettable!
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