The city of Albany stands near the southwestern tip of Australia in the state of Western Australia, 25 miles southeast of Perth (via the Albany Highway). It stands on the shore of a large natural harbour, which is protected by the wild rocky headland of Torndirrup National Park. Visitors that hire a car in Albany can tour a region that includes the Kalgan River valley, vineyards and aboriginal sites. The old whaling port of Albany is now a base for whale-watching trips. Look out too for popular natural rock formations like 'The Gap' and the 'Natural Rock Bridge' in the surrounding landscape.
The small historic city of Albany serves as a tourist hub for the southwest of the state. It has its own attractions too, and these can be explored if you have a hire car. The popular local beaches include Middleton and Frenchman Bay, and the main tourist sights include the old convicts' jail, the local museum and the old British fortress. Tourists also visit Patrick Taylor Cottage, one of the oldest houses in Western Australia, while divers have the special treat of visiting an old Australian destroyer, HMAS Perth, that was deliberately sunk off the city to provide a dive wreck.
