Mount Barker

Mount Barker
Mt. Barker is 47km north of Albany along the Albany Highway, is the sleepy gateway to the floral paradise of Porongurup National Park. There are a number of wineries in the area; ask the tourist office about free tastings. The Porongurup Range is the oldest volcanic formation in the world. To get there from town, follow Lowood Rd north and turn right on Albany Hwy, then turn left on Porongurup Road (tourist drive 252). Two of the most popular hikes are the short but very photogenic Castle Rock walk and the slightly longer Tree in the Rock. Both are accessible by right-hand turns from Porongurup Road. Hundreds of varieties of wildflowers, many endemic, have been identified in Porongurup and the nearby Stirling Range National Park. Peak viewing times are September through November. (more…)

Walpole

Walpole
Tiny and friendly, Walpole is experiencing a tourism boom because of its proximity to Walpole-Nornalup National Park and the recently constaicted Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk 14km out of town. The friendly, volunteer-run tourist bureau, on the north side of the liighway, hands out information on the surrounding tingle and karri forest and the beautiful coast of Walpole and Nortia-lup Inlets, and sells Tree Top Walk tickets (open daily 9am-4pm, 5pm in holiday sea¬son). Walpole’s post office and grocery store can be found across the street, alone with a handful of shops and balcony cafes.
The Top Deck Cafe serves coffee and lunch (spinach pie and salad; hours vary). The newly renovated Tingle All Over boasts clean accommodations, a barbecue, free tea and coffee, and a spiffy new paint job (more…)

Denmark

Denmark
Located 66km east of Walpole along the South Coast Highway, Denmark is green, squeaky clean, and proud of it. Though originally a timber town, Denmark rapidly exhausted its trees and has since turned into quite an earth-friendly place. Today the town has a thriving organic farming scene and won the 1998 national “Tidy Town� title for its appearance and progressive environmental policies. Denmark has more organic produce shops, health food stores, and whole grain bakeries than you’d expect to find in a town of its size, and town folks are a friendly, crunchy lot.
Denmark’s coastline is impressive, and has spots for good fishing, surfing, boating and swimming. The tourist office gives out a good map of die area and has info on West Cape Howe, William Bay and Walpole-Nonalup National Parks. Hikes for all skill levels abound, and the extensive Bibbulmun Track runs along the coast.. (more…)

Albany

Albany
Established in 1826, Albany was the first colonial settlement in what is now WA. Albany is proud of its history; the tourist office has information on the dozens of buildings of historic interest. Though surrounded by gorgeous, uncrowded beaches, the city itself is the commercial center of the Great Southern region. Albany offers all of the conveniences—and annoyances—of a small city, with plenty of shops and cafes, but also increasing traffic and congestion, making Stirling Range perhaps a better choice for an overnight stay.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION Albany’s main drag is York St. The tourist office is in the Old Railway Station, just east of the Southern end of York St near Stirling Tee The railway station is not operative, but there is bus transportation to Albany, coordinated by the tourist office. (more…)