Geraldton
Known as ‘sun city’ with its regular eight hours of sun per day and year-round high temperatures, Geraldton has fabulous surrounding beaches and activities. The weather conditions are ideal and the wind very reliable, to the extent that it is regarded as one of the top windsurfing spots in the world.
Offshore is the hidden archipelago known as the Houtman Abrolhos Islands that are a mere 60km off Geraldton. The islands are a diver’s paradise. With warm tropical waters year round and visibility levels up to 30 meters they are bound to become nearly as popular as the Great Barrier Reef.
In 1970, on a farm about the size of Hong Kong, the Casley family seceded from the Commonwealth, citing a dispute over taxation. Consequently the family formed their own independent nation, the Hutt River Province. Make sure you stop in here and get your passport stamped.
From Geraldton are a number of trips into the surrounding areas such as the Greenough River, with its leaping fish and abundance of birds. Also within driving distance you will find awesome coastal cliffs.
Within Geraldton are museums and the immaculate St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. If history is not your thing, fear not, the nightlife here is nothing to complain about. With a population of 35,000 the atmosphere is always chilled yet it has the festive undertones of a major city. You can contact the
Geraldton Visitor’s Centre on (08) 9921 3999.
