Your stay — Dolphin Lodge
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The Property — Dolphin Lodge
Dolphin Lodge is a straightforward, family-run motel tucked into a quiet residential street five minutes’ walk from Middleton Beach. The lobby smells of floor polish and old furniture, with a corkboard of local menus and a jar of dusty seashells on the check-in desk. Its USP is location and price: a clean, functional base for budget-conscious travellers who want the beach and the CBD within walking distance, not a resort experience. It suits those who treat a room as a place to sleep and shower before heading out to explore.
Chronicles of Albany
Albany was founded in 1826 as a penal settlement and military outpost, predating Perth by three years, making it the oldest colonial settlement in Western Australia. Its natural deep-water harbour made it a vital whaling and wool-exporting port through the 19th century, with grand Victorian and Federation buildings still lining York Street today. The town’s economy shifted to tourism after whaling ended in 1978, and its contemporary identity is defined by rugged coastline, national parks, and a growing craft-beer and wine scene. Culturally, it balances a deep ANZAC legacy (the first troop convoys left from here in 1914) with a quiet, outdoorsy lifestyle popular with retirees and weekenders from Perth.
Best Time to Visit
Full Albany guide →Best months
March and April for settled autumn weather (20-24°C), calm seas, and fewer holiday crowds; November for spring wildflowers and mild temperatures before summer heat arrives.
Peak / festival surge
December and January (summer school holidays) are the busiest, with beach weather in the mid-20s °C and hotel prices often doubling. The City of Albany runs the Festival of the Southern Ocean in January; nearby tourism drives top occupancy across all accommodation.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer the best budget deals: room rates drop 30-40% from peak, crowds thin out, and the weather is still comfortable (14-20°C) for hiking and touring the national parks.
Weather & packing
Albany’s climate is famously microseasonal: July is the month with the most rain (average 130mm) but also the most severe weather swings, from crisp 8°C mornings to 15°C afternoons with squally showers. Pack a waterproof jacket with a hood, a warm fleece or jumper, and waterproof walking shoes—leave the umbrella behind unless you enjoy fighting the wind.
Live City Briefing — Albany
- The York Street pedestrian plaza upgrade is complete, with new shade structures and seating; expect cafes and shops to have extended outdoor dining until late afternoon.
- Albany’s public bus route 800 now runs a direct, free shuttle between the Albany Visitor Centre and Middleton Beach every 30 minutes on weekdays until 6pm—useful for getting to Dolphin Lodge without a car.
- Cheyne Beach Whaling Station (now Discovery Bay) reopened in May 2026 after structural repairs; the whale-spotting season on the King George Sound is decent in early July, with southern right and humpback whales passing within 2-3 km of shore.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Dolphin Lodge, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor at the rear side of the building, away from the street. These floors avoid ground-level foot traffic and street noise while still being accessible via the stairs (if the lift is slow or broken).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing York Street or the car park — prone to street noise, passing cars, and early morning check‑in/out activity. Also skip rooms directly above the small lobby or near the service entrance at the back.
Best views
Limited views from rear rooms overlook the motel's courtyard or adjacent rooftops — nothing special. Front rooms face York Street and the town centre. For a glimpse of the harbour or Princess Royal Harbour, you'd need a top‑floor room at the south/west corner, but no guarantees without a map.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are quietest; top floor (4) can be okay but may get some noise from the roof or plumbing.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise source is York Street traffic (cars, delivery vans, occasionally loud exhausts). The small car park can get early‑morning comings and goings (7–9am). No bar or restaurant on site means late‑night guest noise is minimal, but the lift can be clunky and audible on the adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
Parking is free and usually ample — aim for a spot at the rear of the lot to avoid being blocked in. Check in after 2pm to settle in before the office closes (often 8pm). If arriving late, call ahead to arrange key collection.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Dolphin Lodge
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) for all guests; a premium tier ($5/day) offers 20 Mbps. No login constraints, just accept hotel terms.
No passenger lift; all rooms are on the ground floor or first floor accessible by stairs only. No historic wings.
No newspapers or digital newsstand provided. The building was constructed in 1985.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early check-in available for bag drop after 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 11:00 at no charge, after 11:00 charged half-day rate ($45) until 14:00, full night's rate after 14:00.
Complimentary luggage storage at reception during check-in/check-out on request.
Two ground-floor rooms with step-free access from side entrance; no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms or grab rails in showers. Main entrance has one step. No lift.
Free on-site off-street parking (10 spaces) allocated first-come, first-served; nearest public car park (Peel Place carpark, $2/hour from 08:00-18:00, free after 18:00); no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A deposit of the first night's stay charged at booking; a $50 security hold on credit card at check-in for incidentals.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Eyre Park — 253 m · ~3 min walk
Princess Royal Fortress — 737 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Albany — 3.1 km · ~38 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Major banks and currency exchange offices in Albany city centre give fair rates; avoid the small kiosk at the airport or tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) and contactless payments widely accepted; mobile pay common. Small cash needed for markets and some cafes.
Not expected; round up for good service at cafes (a dollar or two) but not in taxis or for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A takeaway flat white from a bakery or general store—around AUD 4.50.
Pie or sausage roll from a bakery with a drink—about AUD 10–12.
Pasta or a burger at a pub bistro—main around AUD 22–28.
Albany lacks street food zones; cheap eats are bakeries, fish-and-chip shops, and food courts on York Street.
Coles and Woolworths are the main budget chains, both on Chester Pass Road.
Target and Kmart on Albany Highway for basics; second-hand shops on Stirling Terrace for bargains.
Local bus day pass about AUD 5.40. From the airport, route 801 bus into town costs around AUD 5 (or a taxi about AUD 30).
Buy picnic supplies from Coles or Woolworths for day trips. Skip overpriced hotel breakfasts—visit a bakery instead. Fill a water bottle at public taps: tap water is excellent.
Good to know — Albany
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.44 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
AlbanyFor all emergencies (police, fire, ambulance) in Albany, dial 000. For non-urgent police matters, call 131 444. For health advice, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84). The Albany Police Station is at 15 Serpentine Road, phone (08) 9892 9300.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Albany, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Dolphin Lodge
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Albany Airport (ALH) bus stop on Albany Highway → Albany CBD (Stand A on York Street)
💡 The bus stop at the airport is a 5-minute walk from the terminal—follow the footpath along Albany Highway. From the CBD stand, it's a 10-minute walk northeast along Albany Highway to the motel. Grab a TransWA SmartRider card for discounted fares.
Albany Airport (ALH) → Best Western Albany Motel & Apartments
💡 Uber can be unreliable in Albany during off-peak hours—check the app before relying on it. DiDi often has lower surge pricing; both are cheaper than taxis but don't pre-book.
Albany Airport (ALH) → Best Western Albany Motel & Apartments (272 Albany Highway)
💡 Pre-book with Albany Taxis (08 9841 2222) to avoid wait times. If you're arriving on a late flight, they're reliable but call ahead as drivers can be scarce after 10pm.
Albany Coach Terminal (Proudlove Parade) → Perth Elizabeth Quay Busport
💡 If you're heading to Perth, book via TransWA online in advance—this isn't local transit but a handy regional link. The coach terminal is a 15-minute walk from the motel. Bring snacks; the journey has a single 20-minute break at Williams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Dolphin Lodge?
Request a room on the second or third floor at the rear side of the building, away from the street. These floors avoid ground-level foot traffic and street noise while still being accessible via the stairs (if the lift is slow or broken).
Which rooms should I avoid at Dolphin Lodge?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing York Street or the car park — prone to street noise, passing cars, and early morning check‑in/out activity. Also skip rooms directly above the small lobby or near the service entrance at the back.
Is Dolphin Lodge noisy?
Main noise source is York Street traffic (cars, delivery vans, occasionally loud exhausts). The small car park can get early‑morning comings and goings (7–9am). No bar or restaurant on site means late‑night guest noise is minimal, but the lift can be clunky and audible on the adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Dolphin Lodge?
Limited views from rear rooms overlook the motel's courtyard or adjacent rooftops — nothing special. Front rooms face York Street and the town centre. For a glimpse of the harbour or Princess Royal Harbour, you'd need a top‑floor room at the south/west corner, but no guarantees without a map.
What are insider tips for staying at Dolphin Lodge?
Parking is free and usually ample — aim for a spot at the rear of the lot to avoid being blocked in. Check in after 2pm to settle in before the office closes (often 8pm). If arriving late, call ahead to arrange key collection.
What time is check-in at Dolphin Lodge?
Check-in at Dolphin Lodge is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Dolphin Lodge have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) for all guests; a premium tier ($5/day) offers 20 Mbps. No login constraints, just accept hotel terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Dolphin Lodge?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Dolphin Lodge?
Pie or sausage roll from a bakery with a drink—about AUD 10–12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Dolphin Lodge?
Local bus day pass about AUD 5.40. From the airport, route 801 bus into town costs around AUD 5 (or a taxi about AUD 30).
When is the best time to visit Albany?
March and April for settled autumn weather (20-24°C), calm seas, and fewer holiday crowds; November for spring wildflowers and mild temperatures before summer heat arrives.
Top Attractions in Albany
💡 Use the free computers if you need to charge devices. Ask staff about the weekly talks or children's story time. No membership needed for entry.
💡 Arrive early to get a shady spot near the northern end. The water is calmer in the morning. Free parking along the Esplanade.
💡 Free parking at the bottom carpark. Pick up a map from the visitor centre. Best in spring for wildflowers. The cafe is cheap and good.
💡 Visit at sunset for the best light on the Gap. The drive is half an hour, but the views are worth it. No entry fee for walk-ins; car park is free.
💡 Check for a low-cost entry fee (around AU$16 for adults). Go midweek to avoid crowds. Allow two hours. The ship tour is included.