Big Grove Bed and Breakfast | Albany

PLEASE NOTE: Big Grove has now re-opened under new management.
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This article was written and photographed when Jim Hillis was the owner. Some things many have changed since then.

The Big Grove Bed and Breakfast is without doubt the best bed and breakfast we have ever stayed at. From the moment we walked in the front door, it felt like we had come home.

The house is set on seven acres of bushland on the south side of Princess Royal Harbour on Panorama Road and is the closest accommodation to Whale World and Torndirrup National Park.

Our host, Jim, arrived in Albany from Scotland - via Melbourne. He has been a resident in Albany for the past 14 years. Jim is a font of knowledge on the area and its history. Even we managed to learn a lot from him and we have been studying W.A. history for years!

Jim's home is a delightful place. Set as it is on a large bush block, it is a haven for local wildlife. Kangaroos, small mammals, reptiles and many bird species are frequent visitors to his garden.

The top level of the two storey building houses the guest accommodation. There are three well appointed rooms and a large shared common area with a dining table, chairs, lounge setting and a large screen television. Two of the guest rooms have ensuites while the third has a larger but detached bathroom. All are attractive and very clean.

The breakfast area is on the ground floor and is very tastefully decorated and furnished. Jim serves up a hearty breakfast that he can vary depending on the visitor's taste. We enjoyed muesli, yoghurt, toast, bacon, eggs, sausages and the most delicious mushrooms plus tea and coffee.

There is a large shared fridge in the guest's lounge as well as a microwave, tea and coffee making facilities and useful utensils if you want to bring back some easy to prepare food for your evening meal. Bookshelves contain assorted reading material including some of Jim's interesting reference books about Australia and other places. There are also some general reading books that you are welcome to take with you when you leave if you find them so interesting you can't bear to put them down. In a little alcove downstairs is an assortment of local tourist guide pamphlets and in each room the latest copy of Albany's tourist booklet and a map of the area are thoughtfully provided.

Jim is always happy to share his wealth of knowledge about the area and will let you browse through all the pictures of wildlife that he has taken in his garden. He has numerous sets of binoculars that he lends to guests so that they can wander round the property and spot the local wildlife. There are also a series of identification books for various animals, birds and wildflowers that you can borrow. Speaking of wildflowers, in spring and early summer the property has many types of delicate native orchids growing. Jim has even put up markers to help you find them. If you like fishing there are fishing rods you can use. In fact it is hard to think of anything that you could want that isn't already available.

You are free to wander through the bushland surrounding the house or you might like to sit in the gazebo and watch the birds while you cook up something delicious on the BBQ. After the noise and stress of the suburbs it only took us a few hours at Jim's place to start to unwind and feel the tension slipping away.

We found the price was very reasonable.  In fact, it was the least expensive we could find in the area. Obviously, with all it has going for it, Big Grove is a popular place. We highly recommend it and will certainly be returning again the next time we are in the area.

Oh, and if all this wasn't enough to convince you to get dialig and make a booking, Big Grove is a five minute walk from the shore of Princess Royal Harbour.

Updated September 2019

BIG GROVE WEBSITE

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