Geraldton

Understand

People have lived in this area for 40,000 years, those since the time of European contact being the Yamatji or Wajarri Aboriginals. In 1848 lead ore was discovered a little way north and the town grew up, being named for Charles Fitzgerald (1791-1887) the State governor. Crucially, Geraldton had a harbour - these are few and far between on this hazardous coastline. Its industries were metal ore mining along with livestock and fishing, and these remain.

Geraldton was transformed in the 1960s when the Brand Highway was sealed (tarmacked) all the way from Perth, so that bumpy dusty 420 km (260 miles) became one day's easy drive. The city's main interest to travellers is therefore as an overnight stopover, but it has a range of tourist attractions in its own right, especially water sports.

Geraldton Visitor Centre is in the Bill Sewell Complex, central in town on Chapman Road. It's open M-F 9AM-4PM, Sa Su 9:30AM-1:30PM.

Get in

That tarmac highway spelt the end of passenger rail services to Geraldton, and of the coastal passenger steamers.

Get around

thumb | 300px | Memorial to HMAS Sydney The main sights of Geraldton are fairly central, and easy to reach on foot, especially once the sea breeze gets up to offset the heat.

There are eight local bus routes, which you might take for the outlying beaches. Bus 800 circles downtown every 30 min, the others run roughly hourly daytime: Buses 850 and 851 go north up Chapman Rd to Spalding and Sunset Beach. Bus 853 goes east to the racecourse. Buses 854 and 855 go south to Tarcoola Beach and Wandina. Bus 856 goes to the West End, Beachlands and Lighthouse.

Local buses don't reach nearby towns such as Greenough, Dongara or Northampton; for these take the TransWA coach.

Car hire is available from Avis, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty and others. You need wheels to explore Kalbarri or get up to Shark Bay / Monkey Mia.

Geraldton Associated Taxis are on +61 131008.

Bike hire is available from Revolutions at 268 Marine Terrace. Geraldton Bikes at 164 Chapman Rd don't hire but are excellent for spares and repairs.

See

thumb | 300px | St Francis Xavier Cathedral is a breakwater, a pleasant stroll for views back to town. If there's a stench of fish, the sea lions are hauled out on the rocks. is atop Mount Scott, a hillock overlooking town, access east side from Gummer Ave. HMAS Sydney was a light cruiser that served with distinction during World War II in the Mediterranean, before returning to duties around Australia. In Nov 1941 she was sunk with the loss of all 645 men after a battle with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran. Not until 2008 were the two wrecks located, some 100 km west of Dirk Hartog Island WA. Old Geraldton Gaol is now a craft centre, but the cells have been preserved and you can look around. It's at 84 Chapman Rd, open M-F 10AM-3:30PM, Sa 9AM-noon. was built from 1877, though the first attempt was bungled and they had to start over. It's a 35 m candy-stripe metal tower, made in Birmingham, England and shipped out in sections for local assembly. It was automated in 1975 and remains in use, with a range of 42.6 km. No public access, but lighthouse and keepers' artefacts are in the museum.

Do

thumb | 300px | Point Moore Lighthouse What's on? Read Geraldton Guardian or Midwest Times. Or listen to ABC on 828 AM or Triple M (formerly Spirit) on 98.1 FM. Wind surfing: the main spots are Point Moore and St Georges Beach 4 km north. Winds are light in the morning and build during the day, and Nov-April they reach gale-force. Surfing: most popular is Back Beach south side of town. Lots of others from the Point up to St Geeorges. Water sports outlets often cover a range of activities, with lessons and equipment hire, sale and repair. They include Glassy Day, Willocks, Corner Surf, Midwest Surf School and Kitewest. Water Park is on the foreshore at the end of Cathedral Ave. It's the wet section of a tots playground. Aquarena is a public swimming pool on Pass St north side of the golf course. In 2022 it's closed for rebuilding. Scuba diving: Batavia Coast Dive Academy are at 118 NW Coastal Highway, open M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-1PM. Skate Parks are at Cape Burney, Maitland Park, Wonthella, Strathalbyn, Tarcoola Beach, Forrester and Drummond Cove. Cinema: Orana is at 229 Marine Terrace by the Esplanade. Queens Park Theatre is within the civic centre at 75 Cathedral Ave. Golf: Geraldton GC is east side of town on Pass St beyond the NW Coastal Hwy. Spalding Park GC is 5 km north in Bluff Point. Horse racing: Utakarra Racecourse has flat-racing Oct-April. Attendance is free except for the biggest events, such as the Gold Cup at Easter. It's 2 km east of town, far side of the…

Buy

If you're heading north or inland, buy any supplies here. As the region's chief city, Gero has best choice and prices. Folk from as far away as Carnarvon, Exmouth and Meekatharra have to make occasional shopping expeditions here. The main store is Woolworths in the Stirling Complex off Durlacher St, open M-Sa 8AM-9PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Markets in town are Saturdays at Maitland Park, Sunday mornings at the Old Railway Station on Chapman Rd, and the first and last Sunday of the month on Marine Terrace. The art of the Yamaji people is in a distinctive pointillist style. Find their wares, amongst other outlets, at 205 Marine Terrace.

Eat

thumb | 300px | Cattle round-up on Marine Terrace RT's at 82 Marine Terrace is Australian fare. They have a way with a roo tail. Hog's Breath is a chain steakhouse at 3/30 Chapman Rd, open daily 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-8:30PM. Murchison Tavern is at 20 Chapman Rd, open daily 11AM-9:30PM. Smokin' Grill is a burger place at 2/52 Durlacher St, open M-Th 4:30-9PM, F-Su 11:30AM-9PM. Mad Mexican is at 79 Durlacher St, open Tu-Sa 11:30AM-2PM, 4:30-9PM. Tanti's is Thai at 174 Marine Terrace, open W-M 5-9PM. L'Italiano at 204 Marine Terrace is open W-Su 5-8:30PM.

Drink

Cutler & Smith are at 41 Chapman Rd, open Th-Sa 4Pm-midnight. Vibe is the only nightclub, at 38 Fitzgerald St. Distillery: Copperhead Road make rum in Greenough.

Sleep

thumb | 300px | Transport in Geraldton in 1886: you waited hours for a train, then two came at once

Broadwater Mariner Resort is a mid-range place next to Nesuto.

Connect

As of April 2022, Geraldton has 4G from all Australian carriers, but it's patchy and doesn't extend beyond town. 5G has not reached this area.