| At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Cost | Entry fee applies (free tour included) |
| Location | Frenchmans Bay, east of Albany, Western Australia |
| Pet Friendly | See Camps App |
| Campfires | Not applicable (day visit attraction) |
| Facilities | Museum, 3D movie theatre, audio tours, playground, picnic tables, Australian Wildlife Park next door |
| Vehicle Access | See Camps App |
| In Camps App | Find caravan parks in Albany using Camps Australia Wide App |
We are very grateful to the lovely volunteer at Albany Visitor Centre who urged us to “stay another day” and visit Whaleworld and the rugged Torndirrup National Park.
We drove out to east of Albany to Frenchmans Bay to Australia’s last operating whaling station: Cheynes Beach Whaling Company.
It is so close to the number 1, Tourism Australia’s Best Aussie Beach for 2022 – Misery Beach. The beach may well have been named for the butchered whales – as their remains of offal and teeth stained its shores. Make sure you see its turquoise waters and granite cliff when you’re there!
They literally down tools at the whaling station in 1978, after a century of harvesting whales – so all the equipment and real workshops are still there!
There is a free tour with your entry. Take it. It was excellent: the sealer’s hut, you saw where whales were brought up and weighed.
We were told no one would insure the workers, it was such a dangerous job and clothes had a stink, you could not get out!
We saw the factory where they would boil it all up and the harbour they’d pump out to the ships. The processing factory had three huge cookers to rend down the oil. We stood on the flensing deck, where the blubber is stripped from each whale.
Not just our kids, but we marvelled at the reconstructed skeletons of whales, even a 22 metre pygmy blue whale.
Very family friendly, there is a 3D movie and even tail swings and a slide inside a whale.
Cheynes IV is Australia’s only accessible whalechaser. We took an audio tour, so our tribe explored at their own pace, learning about life on a whaler.
The Australian Wildlife Park was next door. It was pretty cool to pat a koala.
We lunched on our very crusty baguette (from Albany’s Boat Shed Markets) at a picnic table with glorious views over King George Sound for our lunch stop. And the sun came out!
If you are here June to October, bring your binoculars – you may spot a Southern Right or Humpback whale. And there is a wildflower walk, August until October.
It was hard to believe these beautiful beaches would be covered with debris from the butchered whales.
It truly was an excellent family outing, and important to remember this industry was part of our history. It is wonderful to know that the whales are protected now, and swimming in the sound around us. We all learnt so much, and it was suitable for all ages.
Read on for where we did explore in Torndirrup National Park and things to do around Albany.
There are lots of caravan parks in Albany – find them in the Caravan Parks 6 book, CAMPS Pendium, a set of state and territory guide books or the Camps Australia Wide App.
Download the Camps App for iPhone/iPad or Android
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Whaleworld at Albany?
Whaleworld is Australia’s last operating whaling station, the Cheynes Beach Whaling Company, which ceased operations in 1978 after a century of whale harvesting. The site preserves original equipment and workshops exactly as they were left.
Is there a guided tour included with entry?
Yes, a free guided tour is included with your entry fee. The tour covers the sealer’s hut, weighing stations, processing factory, flensing deck, and provides excellent historical context about the whaling industry and workers’ lives.
What can kids do at Whaleworld?
Whaleworld is very family friendly with activities including a 3D movie, tail swings, a slide inside a whale, and exploring the Cheynes IV whalechaser with an audio tour. Kids can also marvel at reconstructed whale skeletons including a 22 metre pygmy blue whale.
Can you see real whales from Whaleworld?
Yes, if you visit between June and October, you may spot Southern Right or Humpback whales in King George Sound. Bring your binoculars for the best viewing experience from the picnic areas overlooking the water.
Is the Australian Wildlife Park separate from Whaleworld?
The Australian Wildlife Park is located next door to Whaleworld. Visitors can pat koalas and see other Australian wildlife as part of their day out in the area.
How close is Whaleworld to Misery Beach?
Whaleworld is very close to Misery Beach, Tourism Australia’s Best Aussie Beach for 2022. The beach is known for its turquoise waters and granite cliffs, and may have been named for the whale remains that once stained its shores.
Are there picnic facilities at Whaleworld?
Yes, there are picnic tables with glorious views over King George Sound, making it an excellent spot for a family lunch while visiting the attraction.
When is the best time to see wildflowers at Whaleworld?
There is a wildflower walk available from August until October when Western Australian wildflowers are in bloom around the attraction.
