Destination - Albany, Western Australia

For those who have travelled across the Nullabor to WA, the tendency is to head North of Perth, but for something entirely different in WA's landscape, venture south to Albany on the Great Southern coastline just 5 hours from Perth. The beauty of Albany's rugged coastline is the backdrop to whaling, convict and settler history.

Albany is a historically significant region of Western Australia where the first European settlers set foot Today, around 50 colonial buildings remain, reincarnated as museums, galleries and restaurants. Explore convict prisons, whaling ships and taverns as well as quaint cottages and grand National Trust residences encompassing almost two centuries of Australia's rich history in this once remote location.

Albany's King George Sound marks the spot where the first convoy of ANZACs departed for the battlegrounds of the First World War. Today, you can follow their extraordinary stories through the National ANZAC Centre's state-of-the-art interactive displays.

Renown for whaling before its demise in 1978, the Historic Whaling Station at Discovery Bay, is now a museum. Today the migrating humpback, southern right and blue whales can be spotted from the shore, or you can join a whale watching cruise.

Another excellent location for whale spotting and cliff-top walks in Torndirrup National Park. Here, the Southern Ocean has sculpted the granite coastline into striking formations known as The Gap and Natural Bridge.

For sensational views over King George Sound, head to Middleton Beach boardwalk trail. Or, take a drive up to Albany Wind Farm and feel dwarfed by the towering turbines.

As well as world-class hiking, you'll also find some top-notch spots for fishing, sailing and diving. Albany boasts plenty of caravan sites and parks to choose from and is a great way to enjoy the wide-open spaces, natural surroundings and a star-studded sky at night on the Great Southern coastline.