Williams to Albany road trip: Best stops, distance and time

The best stops on a Williams to Albany road trip include Kojonup and Porongurup National Park and Kojonup. By car, the distance from Albany to Perth is 249km, with a driving time of 2h38m.

A road trip from Williams to Albany takes you to the largest city on the south coast of Western Australia. For most travellers, this is likely to be a leg on a longer drive from Perth to Albany.

Albany is the main town on WA’s south coast, and offers plenty of tourist attractions, including the historic whaling station at Frenchmans Bay and the National Anzac Centre war museum. To find the best Albany accommodation, head here.

9 activities and attractions to book in Albany

Tasting tour around the Mount Barker wineries.
Summit to sea Segway adventure.
Wildlife and coastal scenery cruise.
Half day Albany history and heritage tour.
Food and wine tasting tour around the Denmark wine region.
Visit to the Historic Whaling Station.
Mobile-friendly ticket for the National Anzac Centre.
Guided tour to the Granite Skywalk in Porongurup National Park.
Half day tour around Albany’s natural wonders – including The Gap.

This guide is designed to help travellers plan their perfect Williams to Albany road trip itinerary.

Williams to Albany distance and driving time

By car along sealed roads, the distance from Williams to Albany is 249km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 38 minutes.

The best stops to add to a Williams to Albany road trip itinerary include Kojonup, the Cranbrook Pink Lakes and Porongurup National Park.

Williams has a swimming pool and a couple of cafés. There’s also a half-decent lookout and picnic area in the Williams Nature Reserve.

Williams to Albany road trip: Kojonup

A little further north, Woodanilling Pool is an in-the-know camping spot, but a good place to spot ducks and kangaroos for non-campers. But otherwise the stretch from Williams to Kojonup is pretty dull.

Kojonup is arguably the best stop on the Perth to Albany drive, however. Here, Kodja Place covers regional culture and history far better than most local history museums. Deliberate attempts are made to incorporate several perspectives, including those of the Indigenous Noongar people.

Kodja Place also has a rose garden.

You can also stop at the Farrar Nature Reserve, which is carpeted by wildflowers in spring. The Myrtle Benn Flora and Fauna Sanctuary is similar, but smaller and closer to the Albany Highway.

Williams to Albany drive: Cranbrook Pink Lakes and Stirling Range National Park

A little later on, a short detour up the Great Southern Highway takes you to the Cranbrook Pink Lakes. These salt lakes are not always pink, but when conditions are right, micro-organisms in the lake secrete carotene, turning the salt pink.

The next decent stop is at the Orchid Nature Reserve in Tenterden, which brims with wildflowers in spring. You can also branch off to Stirling Range National Park, although you should be aware that the main attraction – Bluff Knoll – requires a significant diversion to the eastern end of the park. At the much closer western end, the Western Lookout is the best bet.

The Williams to Albany driving route then passes a series of lakes, with Lake Matilda being both the largest and the closest to the Albany Highway.

Further along near Kendenup, you can go wine-tasting at Gilbert Wines.

Williams to Albany road trip: Mount Barker and Porungurup National Park

Before entering Albany, you’ll come to Mount Barker.

Here, you may wish to make a slight detour to Porongurup National Park. There are several walking trails here, but the highlight is the Granite Skywalk. Part of a 4.4km walk from the Castle Rock car park, this suspended walkway has been built around a giant granite outcrop. A six metre ladder takes you to the top of Castle Rock, from where you can see the ocean on a clear day.

Mount Barker is a small town with a petrol station, bakery, supermarket and swimming pool. Visitors are most likely to be interested in Plantagenet Wines, however. The cellar door inside an old apple-packing shed is open for tastings.

Once in Albany, attractions worth checking out include the old whaling station at Discovery Bay, plus the Gap, the Blowholes and the Natural Bridge in Torndirrup National Park. There’s also the National Anzac Centre, Dog Rock, Little Beach, Middleton Beach and the Padre White Lookout on Mount Clarence.