Middleton Beach
in the Albany Region of the Rainbow Coast
Middleton Beach and Middleton Bay are located only five minutes drive to the east of Albany city centre. Middleton Beach provides an easily accessible location for viewing Southern Right and Humpback whales during their annual migration to the Southern Ocean.
Whales enter the bay to rest and can sometimes be seen as close as 20-30 metres from the shore or frolicking out in the deeper waters of the bay.
There is a platform out in the bay for jumping into the water. Middleton Beach is the closest to Albany town centre, and has become one of the most popular beaches. Sheltered from the waves by the King George Sound it is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Middleton Beach is a very popular and social beach where people of all ages can find a place to relax in the shade of the trees.
There are toilets, showers, telephones, a children's playground, cafe' and restaurant at Middleton Beach. There is also a delightful terraced area where you can picnic in the shade overlooking the beach.
A boardwalk climbs the hill to the south, with views over the King George Sound and Middleton Bay. (press play below to see)
Mount Clarence and Mount Adelaide shelter the beach from the town. Atop Mt Adelaide sits the Princess Royal Fortress which you can visit for a fee.
In the early years of Albany's settlement, Middleton Beach provided a handy spot to off-load supplies and stock onto shore as some of the larger boats could not navigate the entrance into Princess Royal Harbour (the main port). (*Wikipedia)
Click to see a map of Albany and Surrounds which shows Middleton Beach.