Point Posession heritage Trail
The Possession Point Heritage trail in Albany, Western Australia is a three-and-a-half hour return loop walk out and around the end of Flinders Peninsula. This narrow peninsula has a beach on both sides, on on King George Sound and another one on Princess Royal Harbour.
A Pleasant Walk
Unlike several portions of the Bibbulmun Track, the Possession Point Heritage Trail is wide enough for several people to walk alongside each other.
The Heritage Trail takes you through the scrub and lightly forested areas along the peninsula and is probably one of the best places to view the diversity of the amazing Albany coastline.
Flinders Peninsula is particulary amazing as it overlooks both the King George Sound and barrier islands as well as the Princess Royal Harbour and Attaturk Channel.
The views north to Manypeaks and Two Peoples Bay are incredible.
Starting the Walk
Starting at Fishermans beach, the trail winds slowly above the beach, and into sleep forested areas, before turning into a boardwalk which rises you above the surrounding bushland and gives you a great elevated view of the coast.
The trail itself is a combination of sand, stairs and scree. Though you must take care on uneven areas, it is not a strenuous walk out onto the peninsula beach.
This location is fun for children, and also a popular place for walking dogs on a lead.
The trail starts at Fishermans Beach.
Posession Point History
In 1791, George Vancouver landed in King George Sound. He is credited for naming the islands of Michaelmas, Seal and Breaksea as well as naming Point Posession.
His official proclamation was this.
"This port, the first which we had discovered, I honour with the name of King George the Third's Sound; and this day being the anniversary of Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Augusta Matilda's birth, the harbour behind Point Possession I called Princess Royal Harbour; which with the sound formed Point posession into a peninsula, united to the main by a very narrow barren sandy beach."
~ A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean and Round the World, by George Vancouver, 1798
The Peninsula today is very similar to how it would have been during Vancouver's landing.
Amazing views of Albany
After cresting the rise from Fishermans Beach is when you'll get amazing sweeping views of King George Sound and see Flinders Peninsula stretching out towards Albany, safely protecting Princess Royal Harbour.
The walk continues along the hillside just below the summit until a rocky descent towards Camp Quaranup.
The slope down towards the beach at the start of the peninsula is rather steep and loose in places.
Be careful.
Past Camp Quaranup
After descending the rise you will arrive at Camp Quaranup, which is not accessible to bushwalkers. Camp Quaranup is run by the Dept of Sport and Recreation and is a group accommodation facility for schools & corporates. Find out more here.
The Trail at this point splits. Head east to the King George Sound side of the peninsula, and to the west towards the western beach on Princess Royal Sound, along a four-wheel-drive track.
Beach walking at its best
The beach on the western side of Vancouver peninsula overlooks the King George sound. This is a popular area for boating, fishing, and the beach itself is a popular swimming beach, for those who make it this far. The trail leads along the beach, either beach, and continues on around the end of Vancouver Peninsula at the Ataturk channel which overlooks the Albany port.
The turquoise waters on both sides of the day are extraordinary. The leaves on the King George sound side are larger than those on the Princess Royal Harbor.
The King George sound side is a great location for watching whales and dolphins touring the meeting season. See our seasons of the south coast calendar for information on when the whales come to visit.
Magnificent Flinders Peninsula
Additional resources for visiting the Rainbow Coast:
Seasons of the Coast You will find a Seasons Calendar with Wildflower and a Whales to help you plan your visit to the South Coast - The Rainbow Coast! Visit Seasons of the Coast
South Coast Beaches Map South Coast Beaches from west of Walpole to East of Albany all on one map! Visit South Coast Beaches Map
South Coast Weather The climate of the Rainbow Coast is considered to be "the best in the world," according to those who live here. Visit South Coast Weather
