Geraldton Foreshore
Geraldton is the regional hub of Western Australia’s Coral Coast, just 4.5 hours drive north of Perth. It could quiet possibly be the perfect holiday destination with magical beaches, warm weather, history and heritage, great shopping and a colourful arts and culture scene.
Geraldton Visitor’s Centre
Rich in maritime history, the town has had many shipwrecks over the past 400 years or so. There is the infamous Dutch built Batavia shipwreck of 1629 and the more recent wreck of the HMAS Sydney II in 1941. There is a thriving Rock Lobster industry, a huge agricultural region, a pearling industry, large port and an archipelago of 122 coral islands located 70 Kms offshore, the magnificent Abroholos Islands.
Countryside around Geraldton
So here are ten very good reasons to visit Geraldton, and I don’t mean for a day, because it will take you several days to do and see everything.
Take the guided tour of this fitting memorial and tribute to the 645 lives lost on the warship HMAS Sydney II in 1941. It is perched atop a hill with 360 degree views of Geraldton.
HMAS Sydney II Memorial, Geraldton
Take a stroll, enjoy an icecream or a coffee, have a bbq or go for a swim on Geraldton’s spectacular foreshore.
Statue of Wiebe Hayes, Geraldton Foreshore
The iconic architectural cathedral was built by Monsignor Hawes in 1916 and completed in 1938. Guided tours are available.
St Frances Xavier Cathedral, Geraldton
Gain a first-hand insight into the crayfish industry by joining a tour of the live lobster processing factory at Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-operative.
Geraldton Lobster Processing Factory
A mecca for divers, walkers, fishermen, surfers and water and nature lovers, take a flight or charter a boat to visit one of the most magical places in Western Australia. There are three groups of over 40 islands which boast an incredible range of marine life and spectacular coral gardens that make for the best scuba diving and snorkelling you will get anywhere in the world.
Learn about the aboriginal and pioneers history of the Geraldton region and discover the shipwrecks of the Mid West Coast and the story of the Batavia. A must see for history buffs.
Batavia Boat Replica, Western Australian Museum, Geraldton
Leon Baker, Chimere Pearls and Latitude Gallery offer in-store tours featuring the beautiful Abroholos Pearl. Exquisite!
Learn about Geraldton’s colourful history along five interpretive self-guided trails from brochures available at the Visitor Centre. Along the way see points of interest such as the Old Gaol and Craft Centre, Lighthouse Keepers Cottage, Victoria District Hospital and Birdwood Military Museum.
Geraldton is one of the top three kitesurfing locations in the world, with azure seas hugging the coastline, sparkling warm waters and pristine white sands. There are dozens of gorgeous beaches to go to including Coronation Beach, Drummond Cove, Glenfield Beach, Sunset Beach, Back Beach, St George Beach or Champion Beach, which will suit your needs.
Back Beach, Geraldton
10. Greenough
This charming settlement renowned for its pioneering history is just 20 minutes south of Geraldton and features a fully restored heritage village, the Central Greenough Historic Settlement. There are 11 beautifully restored stone character buildings, remnants of a once thriving community of 19th century pioneers.
What I loved about Geraldton was her maritime history and the gorgeous green rolling table-top hills of pastoral lands that surround the town. Due to recent heavy rainfall the countryside was lush and green and a real feast for the eyes.
Apart from that I found the amazing Abroholos Islands to be a nature lover’s wonderland and showcase of Western Australia’s most unique marine life. Geraldton is a real show-stopper!
Comments are closed.
Pinky Poinker
June 5, 2014Lobster. Yum! I hope those islands are safe from rising sea levels. There doesn’t seem to be too much to them.
kathymarris
June 5, 2014The lobster was to die for and very interesting how they lower their temperature and put them to sleep whilst they export them live to overseas.
Rae Hilhorst
April 8, 2016Hi Kathy I’ve visited Geraldton many times. Great spot very relaxing and windy x
Kathy
April 8, 2016You know what? I think it was pretty windy when we were visiting there as well. I loved Geraldton, particularly the rock lobsters. They were delicious! :)
Konstanz Silverbow
April 8, 2016Oh how I would LOVE to visit! Sounds and looks amazing!
Konstanz Silverbow
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Kathy
April 8, 2016Yes Geraldton in West Australia is an amazing place to visit with so many attractions. Thank you for visiting my blog. :)
trina59
April 8, 2016Looks like a very interesting place! Should I ever come to Australia I will stop by and hopefully have one of those nice looking lobsters.
Kathy
April 8, 2016Hi Trina I can vouch for the lobsters. They were delicious! Australia is an amazingly diverse country and I would recommend putting in on your travel agenda. :)
patgarcia
April 9, 2016I have a very dear friend who has been living in Perth for over 25 years and she has been asking me to come visit. Your pictures have just convinced me that it would be a worthwhile trip. Thank you.
Visiting from the A to Z Blog Challenge.
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Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Kathy
April 9, 2016Oh you should definitely take advantage of your friend’s hospitality and visit Perth in West Australia. WA is a remarkable state and has so much to offer the traveller, from south to north it is the most diverse countryside you will see anywhere in the world. Plus it has some of most exquisite coastline and beaches that are completely untouched and pristine. :)
Rhonda Albom
April 9, 2016Geraldton looks like a great place. I am thinking about a trip to Perth as I’ve never been to that side of Australia before. Is Geraldton a “must do” when compared to the rest of the west coast?
Kathy
April 9, 2016Geraldton is certainly a gorgeous place but if I were you I would either put the very south or the far north of WA on your “must do” list. It is a huge state so you would need months to see the lot but if you break it down into regions it is a lot more manageable. Check out my post http://www.50shadesofage.com/2014/05/02/venturing-into-the-west/ which will give you an overview of WA. :)
Life Images by Jill
April 13, 2016you’ve got that right Kathy. WA is such a huge state a visitor really needs to narrow down there “must do” list.
Kathy
April 13, 2016I think a lot of people think they can do all of Australia in a couple of weeks. That’s why I like to let them know otherwise!!
Life Images by Jill
April 13, 2016You have written a great blog post about Geraldton Kathy. I must say it is many years since we have visited Geraldton other than a quick overnight stop on the way to somewhere else. Perhaps it is time for a longer visit. The Sydney Memorial is magnificent isn’t it. This is one place we have visited several times. Happy travels Kathy.
Kathy
April 13, 2016Thank you Jill. I did enjoy this area in Western Australia, although I had never heard about it previously. The rock lobster industry was fascinating and the HMAS Sydney II memorial was also something that I didn’t know a lot about. It was yet another fabulous place along the WA coastline. :)