Albany is located in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, situated around a port on the southern coast. Its metropolitan area has a population of 35,000 as of the 2007 census, making it one of the larger regional cities in the state. And it is located within the City of Albany local government area. The city centre of Albany is located between the hills of Mount Melville and Mount Clarence which look down into Princess Royal Harbor.
Facilities at the port consist of 4 berths that are currently operational with a site that is ready to develop into a fifth berth when it is required. The port is able to accommodate panamax size vessels with a maximum laden draft of 12 meters (39 ft), a deepening of the channel is being proposed to allow capesize vessels entry to the port.