Albany was the first European settlement in Western Australia, predating the formation of the Swan River Colony by two years. Its Noongar history stretches back at least 40,000 years, probably longer.

The City of Albany local government area stretches more than 150km along the south coast of Western Australia. Albany is its major urban centre; smaller communities in the municipality include satellite suburbs such as Bayonet Head, Lower King, Little Grove and Goode Beach, along with rural villages such as Wellstead, Manypeaks, Youngs Siding, Redmond and Elleker.

At more than 38,000 people, Albany has the biggest population in the Great Southern. It is the region’s administrative, commercial and retail centre and has a health campus serving as the major medical centre for much of the region. Major industries in the City of Albany include agriculture, timber products and tourism. Grain from the Great Southern is exported through the Port of Albany. 

Albany is 4.5 to 5 hours from Perth by road and just over an hour away by plane. The city’s airport has daily return passenger services to Perth.

With a population of  38,763 and a land area of 4,312 sq km, Albany contributes $3.24 billion of the Great Southern’s gross regional product. The main employment categories are: healthcare and social assistance; retail trade; and education and training.

Albany Statistics

38,763

POPULATION

4,312 Sq. Km

LAND AREA

$3.24 Billion

GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT

16,247

JOBS
Explore Albany

Albany

At more than 38,000 people, Albany has the biggest population in the Great Southern. It is the region’s administrative, commercial and retail centre and has a health campus serving as the major medical centre for much of the region. Explore Regions
Primary Industries in Albany

Primary Production

Broadacre farming and livestock are the backbone of the Great Southern economy. The regional economy also features plantation timber and associated products. Primary production feeds into the rest of the regional economy such as manufacturing and freight services.

Aquaculture

Great Southern aquaculture took a step change in 2017 with the opening of the Albany Shellfish Hatchery. The hatchery supplies shellfish spat to aquaculture operations around Western Australia’s coastline, and to operations elsewhere in Australia.

Construction and manufacturing

Steady construction activity takes place on domestic and commercial premises and in civil construction. Machinery manufacturers provide many agriculture-related products and a range of other items for industry and consumers.

Wine and other beverages

The Great Southern wine region is the largest in mainland Australia, and encompasses the subregions of Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker and Porongurup. It produces 25 percent of Western Australia’s wine output.

Premium foods

Productive land and generally reliable growing conditions support premium food producers in the region. Wagyu beef, truffles, seafood, dairy products, organic foods, pantry products and more attract attention for their quality and provenance.

Noongar enterprises

Noongar people continue to engage in commercial and community enterprises in the Great Southern. We encourage a range of initiatives that support growth of Noongar enterprises, thereby strengthening Great Southern communities.

Tourism

Internationally-recognised ecotourism assets and natural attractions in the Great Southern are unmatched in regional Western Australia for their scale, diversity and accessibility. Noongar cultural experiences, the built heritage of Western Australia’s oldest European settlement and award-winning contemporary facilities complement the attractions of the natural environment.

Screen production

Film production in the Great Southern jumped up a notch in 2016 with the production of Simon Baker’s Breath, based on the novel by Tim Winton. Breath was released in 2018, and kicked off a flurry of filmmaking.

Education and training

Public and independent schools serve families throughout the region. Technical and further education is available in Kinjarling / Albany and by extension elsewhere in the region. University courses are delivered at all levels. Tertiary education is supported by affordable student accommodation.

Healthcare and Social Assistance

Health care facilities are provided in Albany and regional towns. Home care, seniors’ services and assisted living provide employment for a significant number of people. We aim to ensure that services provided in the region are comparable to services in the metropolitan area.

Retail and hospitality

Major retail stores, general shopping and specialty services provide a significant number of jobs in the region. The hospitality sector has a steady employment base with seasonal peaks.
Albany Lifestyle
Walking the streets of Albany City, ASW
Walking the streets of Albany City, ASW
Living in Albany is the perfect blend of nature, culture, and kind community. It has the benefits of living in a city, with all the community values of a small town. The people here have respect for the history of the land, and we love our beautiful natural spaces. There’s a reason so many visitors turn into residents, the lifestyle is unmatched!

Albany Resident, City of Albany.