Though Albany is best known for its rugged coastline and nearby national parks, the town itself offers a surprising array of gardens and green spaces where visitors and locals can relax and engage with nature. From manicured botanical displays to community reserves rich with native vegetation, these sites provide a welcome respite from the bustle of daily life and showcase the biodiversity of Western Australia’s Great Southern region.
The parklands surrounding the National Anzac Centre on Mount Adelaide are a highlight. Along the memorial walks, interpretive signs tell stories of soldiers who departed from Albany during the First World War, while landscaped gardens feature banksia, kangaroo paw and other native species that bloom with colour in spring. Nearby, heritage-listed Allison Hartman Gardens offers shady lawns, ornamental beds and sculptures; it’s an ideal spot for a picnic or reading under a Norfolk pine.
Not far from the centre of town, the Sandpatch Lookout area and wind farm at Torndirrup National Park include walking trails bordered by wildflowers and heathland shrubs. Although technically part of a national park, the accessible boardwalks and viewing platforms feel like a scenic parkland and offer sweeping views of the ocean. Similarly, the Lake Seppings bird walk provides a chance to spot pelicans, swamp harriers and colourful wrens among paperbark trees without travelling far from your hotel.
Albany also boasts a number of community-led gardens. At the Community Garden on Sanford Road, volunteers tend raised vegetable beds, native plantings and an orchard, creating a shared space for learning about sustainable gardening. The Friends of the Garden group often hosts workshops and open days where visitors can swap seeds or sample produce. In nearby towns like Denmark and Mount Barker, private gardens open their gates during the annual Festival of Gardens, allowing visitors to wander through carefully curated landscapes filled with roses, irises and exotic trees.
For families, there are several playgrounds and parks that combine green space with recreational facilities. Eyre Park near Middleton Beach features a large lake, shady picnic areas and a modern playground with climbing nets and slides. Further along, Emu Point boasts grassy foreshore reserves with barbecues and cycle paths that connect to the popular Ellen Cove Boardwalk. These parks are perfect for morning walks, afternoon games and sunset strolls.
Whether you spend an hour under a peppermint tree reading a book or an entire day exploring memorial gardens, Albany’s green spaces offer a quiet counterpoint to its dramatic coastlines. Take time to discover these pockets of nature and you’ll deepen your appreciation for the town’s commitment to preserving both history and habitat.
