10 Great Rides

Family day out – or 3 easy rides

Three short rides or one longer ride – all on shared paths. Remember to give way to pedestrians.

Start: Lawley Park, Brunswick Rd, 500m from town.

Town to Middleton Beach – 9 kms return. Follow the shared path to the end of Brunswick Road, then along the boardwalk to Middleton Beach.

Middleton Beach to Emu Point – 8 kms return. Continue on the shared path along the coast to Emu Point and the nearby fishing boat marina. Emu Point to Lower King Bridge -18 kms return. On the way back deviate at Griffiths St onto the shared path. Continue along Brewster St, up the “zig-zag”, onto Lower King Rd to the Bridge and Oyster Harbour.e

City Circuit & Anzac Discovery

Explore Albany on a leisurely ride around Mt Clarence, to Middleton Beach and back to town. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the way. Visit the Albany Heritage Park and the National Anzac Centre. The incredible 360° views from the Padre White Lookout are worth the steep climb.

Start: Albany Entertainment Centre.

Cross the footbridge into Stirling Terrace. Ride along Brunswick Rd, Cuddihy St and on to Marine Drive. Turn left to the Heritage Park, or continue on to Middleton Beach – with spectacular views all the way. Return to town on Middleton Rd. Cross the roundabout and go down Aberdeen St. Go right at the T Junction, then left down York St and back to the start. There are many attractions close by.

Frenchman Bay – locals’ favourite

A fantastic ride around the harbour and on to Frenchman Bay. It is a popular early morning road bike route or a leisurely day trip to visit Discovery Bay and explore the spectacular coastline. The return route is through Torndirrup National Park, with optional detours to the famous Gap/Natural Bridge and the Wind Farm (a very steep climb).

Start: Cnr Frenchman Bay Rd and Woolstores Place, 3 kms from town centre.

Ride through quiet Little Grove and along the Quaranup Peninsula. A detour to Whaling Cove is an option. Turn into Shoal Bay Retreat and follow back roads over the hill to Goode Beach and Frenchman Bay. The return route diverts into Bramwell Rd and a quiet circuit back to Frenchman Bay Rd and the start.

Two Peoples Bay & Little Beach

A long ride crossing two rivers, some hills and through a Nature Reserve to Two Peoples Bay and beautiful turquoise ‘Little Beach’ nearby. There are picnic areas and BBQs under trees at Two Peoples Bay, (and also at the Nanarup Beach detour) and a cafe 3 kms along Two People’s Bay Road.

Start: Eyre Park, Middleton Beach.

Follow Golf Links Road cycle lane past Troode St and turn left at Griffiths St. Ride along Brewster St, up the zigzag to Lower King Rd, which goes on to cross the King and Kalgan Rivers. Continue on Nanarup Rd and turn left at Two Peoples Bay Rd. (Or go another 6.5 kms to Nanarup Beach.) After 14 kms there is a road to Little Beach, just before Two Peoples Bay.

Back Road Ramble

A pleasant circuit through quiet semi-rural areas on the outskirts of Albany. Take care on short sections on Albany Highway, Chester Pass Road; and along narrow and hilly Mercer Road.

Start: General store, corner Lancaster Rd and Albany Highway, 5 kms from town centre.

Cross over the busy Albany Highway, turn right and then next left at Rufus St. Turn left into Havoc St and follow the map route to Lower King Road.

Before the bridge turn into Norwood Road and quiet country roads back to Albany Highway. Cross over and ride along Link Rd, passing a café/winery on the right. Turn left into Lancaster Rd and return back to the start.

Aboriginal [Noongar] Heritage

Visit three significant Aboriginal heritage sites, each with information about the Noongar people of the region.

Start: Yorrl Park on Cumberland Road, Lower King.

From Yorrl Park (walkways and interpretive areas), ride along the waterfront, then into Rae Rd, Lower King Rd and across the bridge. Turn into Morilla Rd and ride down Barameda Rd to Oyster Harbour and stone fish-traps built over 7500 years ago.

Return back and continue on Nanarup Rd across the Kalgan Bridge, to quiet Hunton Rd. Towards the end of Hunton, go left into Wheeldon Rd to the Upper Kalgan Hall and Bridge – another important Aboriginal heritage site. Return to the start.

Up River to Millbrook

Starting at the Lower King River this out and back route is on some of the best back roads around Albany. Millbrook Road is a favourite with Albany cyclists. Take care on short Highway sections which are marked on the map.

Start: Coraki Park, just after Lower King Bridge.

Turn right out of the park and immediately left into Prideaux Rd. Turn left into Bushby Rd which leads into Bon Accord Rd and Chester Pass Rd. Ride west (carefully) for 1 km and turn into Millbrook Rd – a long tree lined road, far away from traffic and noise. The route ends at Albany Highway.

Return the same way to Chester Pass Rd. Turn right, then left into Norwood Rd which leads back to Lower King Rd and the start.

The Cosiest Corner

A pretty ride to Cosy Corner Beach, via quiet roads in Robinson and Grasmere. A Southwest wind sometimes provides a tail wind on way back.

Start: Cnr Frenchman Bay Rd and Woolstores Place, 3 kms from town.

Turn right off Frenchman Bay Road into Robinson Road, which joins Lower Denmark Road. Turn left through the peaceful ‘Grasmere Elleker loop’. There is a detour over a very steep hill to Mutton Bird Island (3.6 kms), a popular surfing spot.

At Elleker join Lower Denmark Road and proceed west to Cosy Corner Road. It passes a café and leads to a sheltered beach with picnic tables and BBQs under peppermint trees.

Nullaki Wilderness

A quiet peaceful ride along the Wilson Inlet, then through the Nullaki Wilderness Reserve to Anvil Beach. It is well worth the drive to the starting point.

Start: Youngs Siding, on Lower Denmark Road.

Ride towards Denmark and after 1.5 kms turn left into Eden Rd. Follow the road along the Inlet where you often see Sea Eagles and other water birds. Pass through the gate into the Wilderness Reserve and through karri and peppermint forests to Anvil Beach. There are spectacular views over the Southern Ocean. Turn right along Nullaki Drive to a pretty sheltered boat ramp on the inlet. Visit Cosy Corner, Mutton Bird Island and other scenic attractions on the drive back.

Long Circuit for the Young at Heart

A long road bike ride, preferably on the weekend when there is less traffic on the South Coast Hwy.

Start: Town Square, York Street.

Ride up York Street and along Albany Highway (shared path available). Just after the big roundabout turn left onto the South Coast Highway. Ride for 33 kms, passing Marbellup and Rutherford Roads (short-cut options). Turn left into Lower Denmark Road to Youngs Siding (refreshments available).

Continue past Cosy Corner and the small settlements of Elleker and Cuthbert, back to Albany. Return to the start via Princess Royal Drive and Festing Street. Turn into York Street return back to the start.