Albany
Western Australia's First European Settlement, on a Granite Sound Where the Whales Come In and the Anzacs Sailed Out
Explore the Town ↓
Life in Albany
Granite headlands, a natural harbor and whales in the sound give Albany a striking coastal setting. Maritime history, regional services and the Great Southern’s vineyards add reasons to stay longer.
Albany is a harbor city of about 31,000 on King George Sound and the oldest European settlement in Western Australia, with granite headlands, whales in winter, the Great Southern wine region inland and a mild climate all year.
Albany adds a real coastline and Western Australia to the shortlist:
- A working city: a hospital and daily flights to Perth.
- Lighter taxes: a lower foreign duty than the eastern states, and no foreign land tax surcharge.
- Land to buy: new land releases open to a foreign buyer.
Albany is remote: Perth is 4 hr 30 min to 5 hr by road, and the trip from the US is the longest on the list. Much of the area around the city is mapped as bushfire-prone, and exposed beaches face coastal erosion, so check every address.
- Rex flies to Perth about twice a day (13 flights a week) in 1 hr 10 min.
- Perth has no nonstop flights to the US, so connect through Sydney or Melbourne.
- State / Region
- Western Australia · Great Southern · City of Albany
- Population
- 31,128 (ABS 2021 Census, urban center) · the regional capital of the Great Southern
- Setting
- On Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound, between granite hills (Mount Clarence, Mount Melville) · from sea level to about 200 m
- Heritage
- First European settlement in WA (brig Amity, 26 December 1826) · National Anzac Centre · Historic Whaling Station · Old Gaol (1852)
- What Makes It Distinct
- A harbor city on a whale coast, with WA's 7 percent foreign buyer duty and no annual foreign land tax surcharge
- Inside the Full Atlas
- 28 pages on Albany, within the 238-page Australia Atlas.
Albany & Its Surroundings
Wander the streets, waterways and neighboring towns before you go.
The pin marks the town center. The live map needs an internet connection.
A Closer Look at Albany
Look Beyond the View
Fall for the view, then choose with clear eyes. The full Atlas explains the natural risks checked for this town and where a property deserves a closer look.
- See which natural hazards the research covers
- Tell town-wide conditions apart from one address
- Take the right questions to a local specialist
Picture the Journey
The town you love should be easy to reach, again and again. The full Atlas lays out how you get here, from the arrival point to the final stretch.
- Compare the main ways to get here
- Plan for repeat visits and everyday trips
- Weigh the trade-offs before you pick a base
Find Your Reasons to Stay
The places you remember mix scenery, streets and local life. The town chapter takes you past the first impression to the character underneath.
- Explore the setting, landmarks and local culture
- Discover what makes this town its own
- Picture the pleasures of a longer stay
Renting It While You’re Away
Thinking of renting your home out while you’re away? The Atlas sets the rental questions and local context right beside the place itself.
- Learn which rules and permits to check
- Gauge likely visitors and seasonal demand
- Weigh the practical limits on renting it out
Imagine an Ordinary Week
The view draws you in. Everyday life helps you decide. The full chapter covers the services and practical details of living here beyond a vacation.
- Check healthcare and everyday services
- Picture the shops, connections and daily routines
- See what life is like outside the busy season
Albany and Around, in 8 Pictures
Images from the Atlas, each with its own source and edit notes.
Summary of the Australia Atlas, edition of 26 September 2026. The town order is our editorial ranking. About the Dossier.