Geraldton, Western Australia

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Location of Geraldton, Western Australia

Geraldton ([28°46′S 114°36′E]) is a city in Western Australia located 424 km north of Perth. According to the 2001 census, Geraldton has a population of 29,996, making it the fifth-largest city in Western Australia.

Today the city is an important centre for mining, fishing, wheat, sheep and tourism. It is also a major port.

History

Though many European maritime explorers encountered or were even wrecked on the Houtman Abrolhos islands 60 km to the west of Geraldton in the 17th and 18th centuries, there seems to be no evidence that any made landfall near the site of the current town. The first European to explore the area was George Grey in 1839. A decade later the explorer Augustus Gregory travelled through the area. He discovered lead on the Murchison River and the mine which was subsequently established was named Geraldine after the Governor Charles Fitzgerald. The town of Geraldton was gazetted in 1850.

Attractions

The construction of the St Francis Xavier Cathderal started in 1916 but was not completed until 1938. The cathedral was designed by Monsignor John Hawes who was both an architect and a priest.

The HMAS Sydney is thought to have been lost off the coast and there is a memorial overlooking the city.

Near the town is a station suspected of being part of the US signals intelligence and analysis network ECHELON.

Geraldton is also an internationally renowned windsurfing location. The most famous spot is Coronation Beach, located just north of the town. "Coro" is a spectacular port tack jumping site, with flat water on the inside and unhindered Indian Ocean rolling swell offshore. In the late afternoon, the wind swings a little more offshore and starboard tack waveriding becomes possible.

Geraldton is also home to a flourishing horse racing industry, that since 1887 hosts the annual Geraldton Gold Cup. The 2006 Geraldton Gold Cup was won by the Clive Lauritzen trained 8yr old TapDog.

Nearby

North of Geraldton is the town of Northampton, as well as the Hutt River Province, an area which claims to be an independent nation, since its self-proclaimed secession from Western Australia in 1969.

The Houtman Abrolhos islands are 60 km to the west of Geraldton. They are famous for the 1629 wreck of the Batavia. A stone portico recovered from the wreck has been reconstructed at the local museum, along with other artifacts.

Twenty-five kilometres south of Geraldton near Walkaway a windfarm was completed in August 2005. It consists of 54 turbines, each producing 1.8 MW and 80 metres high with 40 metre blades.

Images of Geraldton

Image:Geraldton DSC04304.JPG|Bill Sewell Complex Image:Geraldton Wind Farms DSC04308.JPG|Windfarm Image:St Francis Xavier Cathedral.jpg|St Francis Xavier Cathedral Image:coro.jpg|Coronation Beach Windsurfing

External links

• [City of Geraldton]
• [Geraldton on Google Maps]
• [Western Australian Museum - Geraldton]
• [HMAS Sydney II Memorial Geraldton]

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