Albany sits at the southwestern tip of Australia, and the Southern Ocean gives it a genuine four-season climate — unusual for Western Australia. Summers (December–February) are warm and dry with average highs around 25°C, ideal for the beaches and coastal walks. Spring and autumn are mild and often spectacular: the wildflowers in the Stirling Range and Porongurup National Park are at their best from August to October.
Winter (June–August) is the whaling season's legacy season: cool, occasionally wet, but the time when Southern Right Whales arrive in King George Sound to breed. Watching a whale from the beach in a light drizzle is one of those experiences Albany does better than almost anywhere. Average July temperatures sit around 7–17°C — bring layers.
The town is busiest over the Australian summer school holidays (late December through January). Accommodation fills up and prices rise; book ahead. Outside those weeks, Albany is easy to navigate without planning far in advance.