Silversea Luxury Cruises To ALBANY (Western Australia)

Experience the splendid beauty and flavours of the expansive Great Southern wine region during this scenic and relaxing, half-day food and wine excursion.

Albany, Great Southern Wine Region, Padre White Lookout, Morning Tea, Panoramic Views

Depart the pier for the Padre White Lookout where you will enjoy a refreshing morning tea accompanied by spectacular panoramic views of Albany and King George Sound. Continue with scenic approximately 45-minute drive en route to the Great Southern wine region. One of the largest wine-growing regions in Australia, the Great Southern, accounts for almost 40% of all Western Australian grapes grown here, and produces exceptional, award-winning Rieslings, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines.

Denmark, Lakehouse Winery, Wine Tasting, Singlefile Winery, Wine Tasting and Lunch

Next, re-board your coach and tour a couple of the wineries of Denmark, where the cool climate, diversity of vineyard aspects, soils, and exposure to sun and rain present a wide range of varietals not experienced in many other regions of the world. A stop is made for a wine tasting at the Lakehouse Winery, followed by a wine tasting with lunch at the Singlefile Winery. Afterward, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Explore the history of Albany on-foot during this scenic and informative, half-day sightseeing excursion through the city.

Albany, Great Southern Museum, Brig Amity Replica

Depart the pier on foot for a guided walking tour through the heart of Albany. This charming city is the oldest Colonial settlement in western Australia, predating Perth and Fremantle by over two years. Your tour begins with a visit to the Great Southern Museum with its Brig Amity replica. During your guided tour, learn about the Menang Noongar people and influence of Mokare, a young Noongar warrior. In addition, hear the stories of the early settlers and convicts, and learn about the region's unique natural landscape, and flora and fauna.

Convict Gaol Museum, Gourmandise & Co., Morning Tea, Patrick Taylor Cottage

Next, walk to the Convict Gaol Museum. Upon arrival, enter the old convict gaol, established in 1852 for imperial convicts transported to Albany as skilled labour. Following your visit, stroll over to a unique café, Gourmandise & Co., for morning tea and a taste of small pastries freshly-baked in the old French tradition. Leaving the café, head for a visit to the Patrick Taylor Cottage. The oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia, the Patrick Taylor Cottage was built in 1832 by the Morley Brothers.

St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Visitors Centre

Leaving the Patrick Taylor Cottage, walk over St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church. Following a short tour of the church, your tour concludes with a stroll to the Visitors Centre. Upon arrival, you may opt to take the shuttle back to the pier, or remain in the city for shopping and independent exploration, and return to the ship on your own.

Relax and take in the scenic sights of Albany, the city which grew up around the whaling industry, on this half-day excursion.

You will learn about the city's controversial history at the Historic Whaling Museum by heading south along the Flinders Peninsula. Along the way, you will take in the picturesque scenery of King George Sound.

Historic Whaling Station

Upon arrival to the museum, take a 30-minute guided tour before you are free to explore on your own. The original whaling station in Albany ceased operation in 1978 and now the museum faithfully depicts the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of an industry that supported an entire community. Marvel at the world's largest collection of original marine mammal paintings by artist Richard Ellis of New York. Today, the restored whale chaser Cheynes IV stands high and dry as the centrepiece of the exhibit. This is the only museum in the world created from a working whaling station. Refreshments can be purchased at your own expense.

Torndirrup National Park

Next, re-board the vehicle for the short ride to Torndirrup National Park. Stroll along the park trail to the Gap where you can walk to a lookout of glorious views and dramatic land formations called "The Gap" and "Natural Bridge" where you will see immense forces of nature at work.

At the conclusion of the tour re-board your coach for the transfer back to the ship.

Take in the history and stunning views on this this half-day orientation excursion. Visit the National ANZAC Centre, a newly built, multimillion dollar museum which recognises the ANZAC legend.

Panoramic Drive

Depart the pier and drive along Stirling Terrace, passing a number of Albany's superb Victorian buildings including the Courthouse, Rotunda and Old Post Office. Keep an eye out for Dog Rock, a large granite formation shaped like a dog's head that dominates Albany's central business district.

Torndirrup National Park, Natural Bridge & The Gap

Stop at Torndirrup National Park where you can walk to a lookout for glorious views of dramatic land formations called "The Gap" and "Natural Bridge." The Gap drops 78 feet to the raging sea while the Natural Bridge resembles a huge granite suspension bridge spanning the torrent. It's a thrilling vantage point, and for safety purposes, guests should not deviate from marked paths during the walk.

Mt. Clarence Lookout

Next, enjoy a brief city sights drive which ends at Mt. Clarence Lookout. Here you'll have more spectacular views which include Princess Royal Harbour, King George Sound and the Albany Wind Farm. In 1791, Captain George Vancouver claimed the southern part of Western Australia for the British Crown. He named the natural harbor the Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound.

National ANZAC Centre

Lastly, visit the National ANZAC Centre, a newly built, multimillion dollar museum which recognises the ANZAC legend. The Anzac spirit or Anzac legend is a concept which suggests that Australian and New Zealand soldiers possess shared characteristics, specifically the qualities those soldiers allegedly exemplified on the battlefields of World War I. Your time here will be self-guided to explore independently. You will also have time to visit the gift shop before you re-board your coach for your return journey to the pier

Go behind-the-scenes with an Aboriginal guide to explore and connect to their country and culture during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Albany, Quaranup, Guided Bush-Walking Tour

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute ride to Quaranup. Upon arrival, journey into the creative, spiritual way of traditional Aboriginal life, and discover an ancient and inspiring culture on Kinjarling Boodja during a guided bush-walking tour.

Ancient Stone Structures, Waterholes, Artefacts, Engravings, Quarry Site, Beach, Flora and Fauna

Led by your Noongar guide, your approximately one-hour walking tour follow the paths walked by the Menang people of Kwooranup (Quaranup), home of the brush-tail wallaby. Along the way, see ancient stone structures, waterholes, artefacts, engravings, a quarry site, beach, and flora and fauna.

Kurrah Mia Aboriginal Arts & Crafts Gallery

Following your tour, continue on to the Kurrah Mia Aboriginal Art Gallery. During your inside visit, your guide explains the meaning, artists and stories behind their art. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach for the drive back to the pier.

Experience an action packed "Incredible Journey" in the sheltered waters of Oyster Harbour and the ancient Kalgan River on this half-day excursion while marvelling at the wildlife and scenic beauty.

Depart the pier for the brief transfer to the Kalgan Queen for a leisurely sightseeing cruise that takes you from the Emu Point Landing to the protected Oyster Harbour and ancient Kalgan River. Your glass-bottom vessel offers excellent underwater views.

During your cruise, hear colourful commentary about Albany's history, bird-life, wildflowers and poetry while enjoying a cup of 'Billy Tea' served with skillet bread, or 'damper'. A highlight of this trip includes the chance to have close interactions with trained pelicans and giant stingrays during the cruise. You can see Kangaroos in the wild and this is a great attraction as we take a quick trip on the banks of the Kalgan in a wagon. There is a live, humorous yet comprehensive commentary which covers local poems, Aboriginal Dreamtime, history, the Anzac legend and so much more.

At the conclusion of the tour re-board the coach for the brief transfer back to the pier.

Walk along a section of the Bibbulmun Track with an experienced guide and discover the native flora and fauna on this half-day trek in the Western Australian countryside.

A short coach transfer takes you to the start of the trail, where your guide awaits. The Bibbulmun Track is a 600-mile (965-kilometre) walking trail that stretches from Kalamunda (Perth Hills) to Albany, across some of the most beautiful and peaceful areas in Western Australia. The track is named after an Aboriginal group from the local area. Although its route does not follow their traditional pathways, you may well become attuned to the spirit of the Bibbulmun people who journeyed on foot over long distances to care for and bond with their land as you walk.

During your 3.6-mile (5.8-kilometre) walk, your guide provides commentary on the flora, fauna and folklore of the trail. Ask questions, take pictures, enjoy the fresh air and scenery.

At the end of your trek, the coach collects you and returns you to the pier..

Experience the organic, award-winning Oranje Tractor Farm with its owners during this immersive, half-day, World Cruise Collection excursion with wine tasting and lunch.

Oranje Tractor Farm

Newly-designed especially for our valued World Cruise guests, your World Cruise Collection tour begins with a short drive to the Oranje Tractor Farm, established in 1996 by Murray Gomm and Pam Lincoln on a 20-acre (about eight-hectare) slice of the beef cattle farm owned by Murray's parents. This certified organic property has an incredibly diversity of produce, including eight acres (about 3.2 hectares) of wine grapes, 30 varieties of fruit trees, a potager garden and a permaculture vegetable garden. Pinot, Riesling, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc are the grape varieties that slowly ripen in the cool climate, resulting in intensely-flavoured wines. In April 2019, Oranje Tractor Wine was a winner in Australia's 'Best Cellar Door Awards' ('Best Additional Experience in the Great Southern' by Gourmet Traveller magazine).

Guided Tour, Tasting Room/Cellar Door, 'Wine Flight', Wines Paired with Local Specialities

Upon arrival, meet the owners of the property, and recreate the experience had by HRH Prince Charles and Lady Camilla on their visit to the property in November 2015. During a guided walking tour of the property, discover the organic vineyard and extensive gardens, including the potager garden and espalier orchard featuring 30 different fruit trees. Following your tour, head to the tasting room/cellar door, which is packed with vintage items and ambient charm. Here, experience a 'Wine Flight', a seated, tutored selection of five wines, including sparkling and fortified wines, paired with local, fresh, organic produce, cheeses, olives, and smoked trout from the farm and region.

Discussion with Murray and Pamela, Tutored Tasting of Local Spirits, 'Ploughman's Lunch'

Next, owners Murray and Pamela entertain World Cruise guests by divulging the secrets to producing intensely-flavoured, award-winning wine, and recounting their organic journey on the property. Learn about their Churchill Scholarship, awarded to investigate organic grape growing, wine production in the U.S. and Europe, the Vin de Champagne Award, and, most recently, vermouth production from their farm-grown botanicals. A tutored tasting of local spirits and lunch is included. Your 'Ploughman's Lunch' features fresh, local produce, artisan cheeses, organic fruit, bread, and accompaniments served with up to two glasses of wine of choice. After lunch, your World Cruise Collection tour concludes with a short drive back to the pier.