Itineraries

A journey through culture, history and country charm

Planning your trip to Albany 2026? Take the road less travelled and make the journey part of the adventure, with itinerary inspiration that leads you through the heart of the Great Southern Treasures. Wander character-filled country towns, meet passionate local makers, explore wild, beautiful bushland and uncover the stories that have shaped these communities for generations.

Perth – Katanning (287 km) 

Stay: Premier Mill Hotel, Katanning 

Begin your Albany 2026 adventure in Katanning, a vibrant multicultural hub known for its rich heritage, stunning architecture and thriving food scene. 

Highlights in Katanning: 

  • Premier Mill Hotel – an award-winning boutique hotel built inside a beautifully restored 1890s flour mill. 
  • Katanning Public Art Trail – colourful murals, mosaic installations and community-made artworks. 
  • Katanning Sheep Saleyards – Australia’s largest undercover sheep saleyard. 
  • Heritage Rose Garden – Located opposite the Town Hall and incorporates a Noongar Time Walk, Malay mosaic, the Pioneer Women’s clock and roses dating back to 1830.

    Enjoy dinner at the Premier Mill Hotel’s Cordial Bar, named in honour of F & C Piesse’s aerated water and cordial business. Enjoy an extensive, hand-picked selection of wines from the largest and most diverse wine region in Australia, paired with a carefully curated share-plate food menu before settling in for the night in your character-filled room.

    Premier Mill Hotel Katanning

    Katanning – Albany (173 km) 

    Take the road less travelled and visit three GST towns before reaching Albany. 

     Stop 1: Broomehill 

    Discover the starting point of the iconic Holland Track, first carved out in 1893 for prospectors on their way to the Goldfields. 

    Stop 2: Tambellup 

    A small town with deep Noongar roots. Visit: 

    • Tambellup Heritage Trail – A series of three interconnecting trails that start in the centre of town take in much of the history of the early settlement. 
    • Diprose Park – Perfect for a picnic or coffee break 
    • Gordon River Weir and Picnic Area – Interpretive signage tells the stories of the river’s importance to the Goreng Noongar people.? 

    Stop 3: Cranbrook – Gateway to the Stirling Range 

    Set beneath the peaks of the Stirling Range National Park, Cranbrook is a beautiful stop for nature lovers. 

    • Pink Salt Lakes – Part of a chain of salt lakes north of the Stirling Ranges that sit along the path of an ancient waterway. 
    • Enjoy views across farmland and the rugged mountain silhouettes from Sukey Hill Lookout. 
    • Cranbrook Museum – Built soon after the completion of the railway line in 1889, it is the oldest brick house standing in Cranbrook and served as the stationmaster’s house.  

    Continue on to Albany to immerse yourself in the Albany 2026 program including commemorative events, exhibitions, light installations, community ceremonies and more. 

    Visit the Albany 2026 website to view the range of events on offer throughout the year. 

    Cranbrook pink lakes

    Albany – Frankland River (122 km) 

    Stay in the heart of wine country 

    Make your way inland to Frankland River, one of WA’s most underrated wine regions, known for cool-climate Riesling, award-winning reds and peaceful rural landscapes. 

    Accommodation options: 

    • Frankland River Retreat 
    • Frankland River Chalets 
    • Ferngrove Chalets 
    • Alkoomi Rock Cottage 
    • Frankland River Caravan Park 

           Things to do: 

          • Visit Frankland Estate, Alkoomi Wines, Swinney, Ferngrove and Lange Estate 
          • Picnic among the vines or wander peaceful bush trails 
          • Catch a glowing Great Southern sunset over rolling hills with a glass of local Great Southern wine. 

          Ferngrove Winery, Frankland River Western Australia

          Frankland River – Perth (331 km) 

          Stop in Kojonup 

          Break up the drive with a stop in Kojonup, a town rich in Noongar culture, history and nature. 

           Must-visit: 

          The Kodja Place & Kojonup Rose Maze 

          An award-winning cultural centre sharing Noongar stories, settler history and farming heritage through immersive exhibits, local voices and a stunning rose maze that traces 100 years of women’s stories. 

          Other highlights: 

          • Myrtle Benn Flora & Fauna Sanctuary 
          • Farrar Dam Reserve 
          • Local cafés for lunch and great country hospitality 

              From here, continue north to Perth. 

               


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                          As we welcome you to explore the Great Southern Treasures, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land — the Kaneang, Goreng, Wudjari, Wilman and Menang peoples of the Noongar Nation.

                          We pay our respects to their ancestors and Elders past, present and emerging, honouring their enduring connection to and care for, Boodja.

                          For over 50,000 years the stories, knowledge, and culture of the Noongar people has continued to shape this region. We invite all visitors to tread with respect, curiosity, and appreciation for this ancient land and culture, contributing to its preservation for future generations.