COFFEE
Fredericks Café
Located on Albany’s main street, Fredericks features prominently in the daily routines of many locals. Drop in for the town’s best coffee and grab a bag of the salted caramel popcorn for the road. Cnr York St & Peel Pl, Albany, WA (08) 9841 5112
BAR
Liberté
Whether you settle in the bar or retreat to Liberté’s lavish Belle Époque-inspired back room, Amy Hamilton’s punchy French-Vietnamese dishes and Keryn Giles’ cocktails are crowd-pleasers. The monthly dim sum-inspired Brunch & Booze Sundays are not to be missed. 160-162 Stirling Tce, Albany, (08) 9847 4797, libertealbany.com.au
DISTILLERY
Limeburners
Established in 2004, this Albany distillery laid the foundations for Western Australia’s craft spirit boom. The waterside cellar door is open for tastings and distillery tours. While Limeburners’ single-malt whiskies draw most attention, its gins are equally worthy of praise. 252 Frenchman Bay Rd, Albany, (08) 9842 5363, distillery.com.au
One of Amy Hamilton’s dishes at Liberté.
SHOPPING
Albany Farmers Market
A strict locals-only policy among produce stallholders ensures quality is the focus at Albany’s weekly Saturday morning market. The vegetables and herbs at Bathgate Farm are a picture of seasonal abundance, and local shellfish and free-range pork and poultry are also popular. Collie St, Albany
THAI
Maleeya’s Thai Café
Maleeya Form makes Thai food using bamboo and herbs grown on her adjacent farm. The property’s idyllic setting and proximity to Porongurup cellar doors, about 45 minutes’ drive from Albany, make lunch at Maleeya’s a perfect day trip. 1416 Porongurup Rd, Porongurup, (08) 9853 1123, maleeya.com.au
TAVERN
Due South
Behind the beer-barn exterior of this waterfront pub is an operation committed to good slow food. The kitchen mills its own flour, charcutier Martin Morgan makes some of the state’s finest small goods, and a beef ageing program produces excellent steak. The bottle shop next door specialises in local wines. 6 Toll Pl, Albany, (08) 9841 8526, duesouthalbany.com.au
**BREWERY
Wilson Brewing**
On the outskirts of town, family-run Wilson Brewing is Albany’s newest craft brewer. An on-site café serves local Bakers Junction pies – perfect beer-matching fare. 47768 South Coast Hwy, Albany
**GETTING THERE
** Albany, in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, is about five hours’ drive south of Perth.
