5 Day Albany and Denmark Road Trip Itinerary (2026 Guide)
Planning an Albany and Denmark road trip? This 5-day itinerary covers the best beaches, hikes, wineries and coastal viewpoints along Western Australia’s stunning south coast.
Starting in Perth, this scenic drive takes you through Albany, Torndirrup National Park, William Bay National Park and Denmark, with stops at Elephant Rocks, Greens Pool and the Valley of the Giants.
In this guide we’ll cover:
• a day-by-day itinerary
• the best stops between Albany and Denmark
• where to stay in Albany and Denmark
• the best beaches and walks
Perth to Albany and Denmark Road Trip Distance
The full Perth → Albany → Denmark road trip is approximately 900 km return, making it one of the best long weekend getaways from Perth.
The drive from Perth to Albany takes around 4.5–5 hours, while the scenic drive from Albany to Denmark takes about 45 minutes, although most travellers take longer to explore beaches, wineries and national parks along the way.
• Perth to Albany: ~415 km (4.5-5 hours)
• Albany to Denmark: ~55 km (45 minutes)
• Denmark to Perth: ~421 km (5 hours)
Renting a Car for the Albany to Denmark Road Trip
The easiest way to explore Albany and Denmark is by car.
Compare rental car prices here.
FAQ
How far is Albany from Denmark?
Albany and Denmark are around 55 km apart, and the drive takes about 45 minutes without stops.
Is the drive from Albany to Denmark scenic?
Yes – it’s a fantastic drive in Western Australia, passing beaches, wineries and national parks.
How many days do you need in Albany and Denmark?
We recommend at least 5 days to fully explore both areas.
Is Albany or Denmark better to stay in?
Albany is larger and has more accommodation options, while Denmark is quieter and more secluded.
What is the best time to visit Albany and Denmark?
Spring to early autumn (October–April) offers the best weather for beaches, hikes and exploring the coastline.
Where To Stay In Albany & Denmark?
Best Places To Stay in Albany:
Hilton Garden Inn – best location on the waterfront
Dog Rock Motel – great mid-range option
Albany Motel & Apartments – central location and reasonably priced
Best Places To Stay In Denmark:
The Lodge At The Denmark Hotel – central location
Chimes Spa Retreat – adults only, luxury stay
Denmark Scenic Tourist Park – budget friendly option on on the outskirts of Denmark
For more options, check our post about best places to stay in Albany and Denmark
Day 1: Perth to Albany Road Trip
The journey from Perth to Albany is approximately 5 hours long, so we recommend getting an early start to beat traffic.
To break up the drive, you can stop for a coffee and stretch your legs at either Williams Woolshed or The Kodja Place about halfway on the journey.
Another nice way to break up the drive and get some movement in is to stop at Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock in Porongurup National Park. It’s a fun but challenging hike about 40 minutes north of Albany.
The trail is a steep 4.4 km return walk that takes about 2 hours to complete. At the end of the trail, you’ll be challenged with some rock scrambling and climbing an enclosed ladder to get up to the skywalk. It’s not for the faint-hearted but the views are totally worth it!
Read our full guide to hiking Granite Skywalk
Pro tip: Bring a jumper or jacket for the top, it can get quite windy and chilly.
Arrive in Albany in the afternoon and get checked in to your accommodation.
Finish the long travel day with a nice sunset at Middleton Beach or Emu Point.
Day 2: Explore Albany & Torndirrup National Park
The first full day of this Epic 5 Day Albany and Denmark Itinerary, so let’s get into exploring!
Grab your coffee and start the morning at The National ANZAC Centre, one of the most moving and beautifully presented war memorials in Australia. We highly recommend doing the interactive experience, where visitors assume the identity of one of 32 Anzac personnel and follow their personal stories through the war. Check out their website or buy tickets here.
Even if you aren’t a major history buff, the views from Mount Clarence are incredible and still worth checking out.
Optional (but highly recommended!) drive 40 minutes east of Albany and visit Little Beach and Waterfall Beach within Two People’s Bay.
It’s a bit of a trek out of Albany but this is one of our all time favourite places in this region and is often overseen. The views are amazing though!
In the afternoon, visit the Torndirrup National Park and experience some of WA’s most dramatic coastline – all within a short drive from Albany.
- The Gap & Natural Bridge (prepare for wind!)
- Blowholes if the swell is right
- Whaling Station (optional if you’re interested in local history)
Finish the day strong by heading to Albany Wind Farm, this is without a doubt the best spot in Albany to watch the sunset. We brought a takeaway pizza and some wine, it was perfect!
It’s also a great location to spot whales (seasonal) and pods of dolphins.
Day 3: Bald Head Walk & Albany Beaches
Day 3 of the 5-Day Albany and Denmark Itinerary and hopefully your legs have recovered by now if you decided to do the Granite Skywalk, Castle Rock on the way down to Albany.
Head down to Bald Head Walk Trail, one of the most epic coastal hikes in all of WA.
It’s a challenging 12.5 km return walk that offers incredible coastal views.
We recommend setting about 4-6 hours aside for this walk and bringing plenty of water!
Alternative options: If you’re not feeling up for the Bald Head Walk, try the Luke Pen Walk instead which is an easier walk along the Kalgan River. We recommend setting approximately 4 hours aside for it.
If you’re still after coastal views but don’t want to do the Bald Head, we recommend the Uredale Point Heritage Trail, which is a relatively easy 5 km loop offering great views of the Vancouver Peninsula. We recommend setting about 3.5 hours aside.
Both Luke Pen Walk and Uredale Point Heritage Trail are dog friendly options.
Spend some time relaxing in the afternoon by visiting some of Albany’s breathtaking beaches.
If you decided to take on the challenge of Bald Head Walk, an obvious choice would be to visit Misery Beach as it’s located right next to it. It was crowned as Australia’s best beach in 2022 by Tourism Australia, so it’s definitely one that’s worth checking out.
Our other favourite beaches in the area are:
- Frenchman Bay
- Whalers Cove
- Goode Beach
Day 4: Albany to Denmark Coastal Drive
The drive between Albany and Denmark is about 1 hour without stopping.
We recommend doing this as a half a day trip though as there are multiple places worth stopping for along the way.
Start the day by visiting Cosy Corner beach and go for a quick swim or stroll along the beach.
Continue the drive down to Shelley Beach in West Cape Howe, the drive is so much fun and the beach is epic for swimming and fishing. If you drive all the way down Shelley Beach Rd, you’ll end up at the beach and a campsite (tents and campervans only).
There’s also a beautiful lookout spot if you turn right a few kms before getting to the beach, which is also used as a take off point for paragliders.
Continue the journey towards Denmark and check out some of the regions best wineries.
Some of our top recommendations to visit are:
- Castelli Estate
- Singlefile Wines (our personal favourite in the area)
- The Lake House
- Forest Hill Wines
Day 5: William Bay National Park & Valley of the Giants
On the last day of this Epic 5-Day Albany and Denmark Itinerary, you’ll be checking out some iconic spots around William Bay. We’ll even share one of our all time favourite hidden gems!
We recommend getting an early start to this day and heading down to Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks first thing before the crowd arrives. These spots are pretty popular amongst tourists but for a good reason.
You’ll find Greens Pool to the right from the parking lot and after walking down some stairs and Elephant Rocks to the left of the parking lot. To get to Elephant Rocks you can either follow the trail that leads you to the top of the rocks looking down at the beach or you can take the trail that leads straight down to the beach and you’ll be able to get in the water from there.
We last visited Denmark in April and got to Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks at around 8:30 am and had the place almost completely to ourselves.
We enjoyed ourselves for an hour or two and by the time we left, the parking lot was FULL!
Luckily, only 2 kilometers away, you’ll find Madfish Bay which is often overlooked by these two popular spots.
Madfish Bay was awarded 4th best beach in Australia in 2022 and is definitely worth a visit.
Be careful if walking or swimming over to the little island located just off shore as it’s a popular nesting place for snakes.
In the afternoon we recommend driving out to Tingledale to do the Valley of The Giants Tree Top Walk. You’ll be rewarded with some pretty cool views of the tingle and karri forest on a suspended walkway about 40m above the ground.
On the way back to Denmark, and the last activity on this 5-Day Albany and Denmark Itinerary, we recommend stopping at Monkey Rock, a 2 km return track taking you through karri and marri forests. It’ll lead you up onto Monkey Rock and you’ll be rewarded with amazing views.
Pro tip: Bring a bottle of wine and snacks and cheers to the end of an amazing getaway!
Best Time To Visit Albany & Denmark
Summer (Dec-Feb) Great for beaches and swimming but busiest season.
Autumn (Mar-May) Mild weather and quieter wineries.
Winter (Jun-Aug) Stormy coastline, whale watching and wineries.
Spring (Sep-Nov) Wildflower season and great hiking conditions.
What to Pack
- Day bag for hikes and day trips
- Sturdy walking shoes
- Clothes you are comfortable moving in
- Sunscreen & hat
- Swimwear & towel
- Snorkel gear
- Camera
- GoPro
- Reusable coffee cup
- Cooler bag for chocolate, wine or picnic gear
- Windproof jacket (Albany is breezy!)
Best places to eat in Albany
- Liberté – amazing Asian-French fusion
- Espresso One – great for breakfast or lunch
- Gourmandise & Co – rustic French-style café
- Hooked on Middleton – classic fish & chips near the beach
- Barrel Farm – local produce, open space, casual vibe
Best Coffee in Albany
- Taxi Stand Coffee Bar
- Brew Lane (drive-through option)
Best Breweries in albany and denmark
- Wilson Brewing Co – local and lively
- Boston Brewing Co – spacious beer garden, good food (can get busy)
Best wineries in Albany and Denmark
- Singlefile
- Rockcliffe
- Forest Hill
- The Lake House Denmark
- Castelli Estate
- Wignalls Wines (Albany)
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a getaway from Perth, the Albany and Denmark road trip is one of the most rewarding coastal journeys in the state. From dramatic cliffs and secluded beaches to world-class wineries and ancient forests, this region offers the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Read These Next
- Best Things to Do in Albany and Denmark
- Best Places to Stay in Albany and Denmark
- Guide to Hiking Granite Skywalk
- Weekend Trip to Busselton
- 3 or 5 Days in Margaret River
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