The post 21 Fun Things to Do Around Geraldton appeared first on Curious Campers.
Geraldton is a perfect long weekend getaway from Perth or a fun stop on your tour of Western Australia’s Coral Coast. It is a town with a vibrant art scene and a rich sense of history. The foreshore has a relaxed vibe with cafes and stunning beach views.
We found a lot more to do here than we expected as we drove between Perth and Exmouth. You could spend three or four days looking around.
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Take in the history at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial
This moving and eye-catching memorial commemorates the loss of the HMAS Sydney II and her 645 crew in 1941. The dominant feature is the Dome of Souls, a curved sculpture of 645 seagulls. The lone figure of the Waiting Woman sculpture looking out to sea is also an evocative image.
The memorial also includes a Wall of Remembrance and a Pool of Remembrance. You can drive up Mt Scott and park at the memorial or you can walk the curved path to the top. We spent an hour here taking everything in.
Daily guided tours of the memorial are available, and the HMAS Sydney II Memorial also has an excellent website.
Museum of Geraldton
The Geraldton Museum has a range of displays that explore the regions indigenous, European and natural history. They also host exhibitions in a lovely gallery. There was a wildlife photography display on when we were there. The place is well worth a visit, it is right on the waterfront near the marina. Allow and hour or two to look around and it is a good activity for families.
Geraldton Regional Art Gallery
Housed in the lovely old Town Hall building, the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, or GRAG, is a fun place to look through. It houses a range of art from local, national and international artists and has a regular calendar of exhibitions. You can’t miss the building, outside the entrance is a 4 metre tall human sculpture called Protective Memory.
Take in some Geraldton Street Art
Art in Geraldton is not limited to the Regional Art Gallery. On the Street Art Trail, you’ll see bright murals and all sorts of sculptures and installations along the waterfront. We have travelled through a lot of towns; few have as much art as you see around Geraldton. Even the toilets are fancy, check out the Rubik’s Cube public toilets near Champion Beach.
Look through the Horizon Sphere
There’s one piece of art that deserves special attention – The Horizon Sphere. The 1.5 metre tall water filled acrylic sphere was designed by artist Lucy Humphrey. The inverted and distorted views you see through the sphere are both great fun and beautiful, especially at sunset.
We took way more pictures here than we needed too! The Horizon Sphere is on the coast in Beresford Reserve a couple of minutes from the town centre.
Geraldton Foreshore
The foreshore precinct is a beautiful spot to spend a morning or afternoon. Between the esplanade and the marina there are bike/walking paths, playgrounds, a waterpark and art and sculptures. There are cafes dotted along the waterfront too where you can take it easy and look out over the water. The Jaffle Shack and Dome Café are both worth a visit.
Saint Xavier’s Cathedral Geraldton Heritage Trails
There are 3 heritage trails in Geraldton. Start with the 2km West End Heritage Trail. Follow the triangle markers around the wharf area beginning at the Geraldton Port Authority Building.
The 1.1km Mullewa’s Town Heritage Walk takes you through the commercial heart of Geraldton. The 22 sites give you a great insight into Geraldton’s early businesses, social life and local identities. Follow the blue markers.
The Monsignor Hawes Heritage Trail introduces you to an important local figure. He was an architect of international renown, and Catholic priest. His good relationship with local indigenous people is also celebrated on the trail.
Old Victoria District Hospital Bill Sewell Complex
A 650m interpretive trail takes you around the site of the impressive 19th century Old Victoria Hospital. Also on the site are the old gaol – which now houses a craft centre – and the original town hall.
The sign boards do a great job painting a picture of everything from the brutality of life in the gaol to a bubonic plague outbreak. You’ll see the stories associated with the site and the wonderful architecture of the hospital.
Point Moore Lighthouse
Built in 1878, Point Moore Lighthouse is the first all steel tower constructed in mainland Australia. You can’t go inside it, but the 34m tall, red and white striped lighthouse cuts a prominent figure on the Geraldton skyline near Lighthouse Beach.
Lighthouse Keepers Cottage Museum
Located at Bluff Point a few minutes north of Geraldton, this is a must visit for lighthouse enthusiasts. Tours run by the local historical society will show you a range of photographs and items from the time the cottage was in use. There are picnic facilities in the adjacent reserve and there is enough parking for caravans. Check with the Visitor Centre for opening times.
There is a 2km walk you can do between Bluff Point and Rundle Park. At the Bluff Point end, you’ll see the original Bluff Point Lighthouse. Rundle Park has a nice playground, picnic and BBQ facilities.
Go shopping at the Platform Markets
Located on the platform of the old railway station, the historic building comes to life with a fun range of stalls selling food, art and craft. The markets run from 8-12 on Sunday mornings. We had a lot of fun here looking around the stalls and chatting to the stallholders. The markets have a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Geraldton Wildflower Spotting
When you are in the town that lends its name to one of Australia’s best known wildflowers – Geraldton Wax – it’s a fair bet Geraldton will have a great wildflower season. From July to October, you won’t have to drive far to see carpets of colour covering the landscape.
A few spots to try are the Chapman River Regional Park, Greenough River Nature Park and Mills Point Lookout. Nearby Mullewa has a 2.8km wildflower walk and a slightly more rugged 2.4km bushland trail that are both worth walking in wildflower season.
Read More : More Wildflowers at Jurien Bay
The Esplanade & Seal Rock
For a different and spectacular view of Geraldton go to the end of the Esplanade to the lookout. The elevated platforms give you great views back over the foreshore and Champion Bay. If there are ships coming into the harbour, you’ll get a great view of them here too.
There are walkways and BBQ facilities along the Esplanade. Take binoculars or a zoom camera. Seal Rock is just off the Esplanade, and you can often see the seals resting on the rocks or in the water.
Swim, Surf & Snorkel at Geraldton’s Beaches
Geraldton has some beautiful beaches. Town Beach, Champion Beach, Sunset Beach and Point Moore Beach are all close to town. There is a dozen more beaches within half an hour of the town centre. Several have vehicle access including Coronation, Glenfield and Drummund Beach which are all north of town.
Snorkellers should try Pages or Sunset Beach. For a surf, check out Separation Point, Back Beach or St Georges Beach. You can fish at all beaches, and most are dog friendly. Pages and Drummond Beach have the best range of facilities including playgrounds, toilets and picnic facilities.
Abrolhos Islands West of Geraldton © Tourism Western Australia & @stevefraserphotography Take a Scenic Flight from Geraldton
To appreciate the size and beauty of the Abrolhos Islands or the Pink Lake try a scenic flight. See historic shipwrecks, the vivid contrast of the Pink Lake and turquoise ocean water and the reefs around the Abrolhos Island. Flights can range in time from an hour to a full day. Check out the tours on offer from local operators Geraldton Air Charters and Shine Aviation Services.
Pink Lake and Abrolhos Islands Scenic Fly Over – A scenic flight from Geraldton that takes you over the stunning Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) and the beautiful Abrolhos Islands.Sunset and Wildlife Cruises
The perfect way to end your visit to Geraldton is with a sunset cruise. Coastal Western Australia knows how to put on a sunset and there isn’t a better way to enjoy it than being on the water. Sip on a drink, have something to eat and spot a seal or dolphin from your front row seat as the sun lights up the Indian Ocean horizon.
Whale Watching Tour from Geraldton – Join this unforgettable seasonal tour to observe the mighty humpback creatures breach the surface, play and slap their flukes!Things to Do Near Geraldton
Mills Point Lookout
About 20 minutes north of Geraldton on your right you will see the turn off for Mills Point Lookout. There are great views here over the Chapman Valley’s rolling hills. It was a bit gloomy the day we visited but it was still worth stopping to take in the scenery. It is also a good place to visit in wildflower season.
Greenough Day Trip
Day Trip to Greenough
Only 20 minutes south of Geraldton, we spent a good half day looking around the area.
Greenough Wildlife Park
Open everyday but Wednesdays, this is a fun family activity where you can meet some of the local birds, animals and reptiles.
The Leaning Tree
There is a small parking area where you can see the amazing effect the prevailing wind has on the trees
Greenough River Nature Walking Trail
Try the 17km loop trail or just do a short walk, go for a swim at Develin pool or go wildlife and wildflower spotting
Greenough Museum & Gardens
Set in lovely gardens that are perfect for a picnic lunch, the small museum has fascinating information on local Aboriginal and European history.
Houtman Abrolhos Islands © Tourism Western AustraliaDay Trip to the Abrolhos Islands
Day tour from Geraldton
In recent years the Houtman Abrolhos Islands have seen a huge surge in interest from travellers. Once known for its pearling and fishing industry, the 122 islands are now visited for their natural beauty. The islands attract nature lovers, snorkelers, divers and anglers. You can cruise or fly to the islands from Geraldton, for a day trip or multi day stay. The islands are about 60km off the coast.
Full Day Abrolhos Islands Scenic Flight Adventure from Perth – Take a scenic flight over these fascinating islands. Land on East Wallaby Island. See beautiful coral, marine life, fishermen’s camps & pearl farms.
Ellendale Pool Walkaway © Tourism Western AustraliaEllendale Pool
40 minutes, 50km southeast of Geraldton
This is a beautiful camping spot or day trip where The Greenough River meanders through a gumtree lined gorge with tall cliff walls. There is a nice walk you can do along the river, and this is a good spot to come and see wildflowers from July to October. Ellendale Pool is also a stop on the Yamaji Drive. You’ll find signage describing the significance of the place in indigenous and European history.
There is low cost camping here and you can stay for up to a week. There are toilets and BBQ facilities. The campsites set back from the river will comfortably accommodate larger vans.
Hutt Lagoon as we saw it!
Hutt Lagoon on a good dayWalk on the shores of the Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon
71 minutes, 100km – from Geraldton on the way to Exmouth
Hutt Lagoon is one of these places where you can see water the colour water of strawberry milk. The saline water gets its colour from a carotenoid-producing algae, the intensity of the pink varies with the seasons and weather. It is at its pinkest in summer on a sunny day.
For our visit we were lucky to get any colour at all. It was cloudy and windy all day, but the sun did manage to break through for a few minutes while we were there. Even in these less than ideal conditions, Hutt Lagoon was still a great sight even if it was musk rather than pink!
Pink Lake Scenic Flight On this 70-minute flight from Geraldton, enjoy a dramatic aerial view, learn how the Pink Lake got its distinctive color
Walk around Lynton Convict Depot Ruins
65 minutes, 90km – near Hutt Lagoon
On your way to or from Hutt Lagoon, it is worth stopping at the Lynton Heritage Site. The stone buildings were constructed in the mid-1850s and were the first convict facilities built north of Fremantle. The site is well signed and as we walked around it is hard to imagine how anyone could have lived here 170 years ago. Even today, it is a remote location.
Ilgarijiri – Things Belonging to the SkySpend a Day on the Yamaji Drive Trail
195km return drive from Geraldton
The Yamaji Drive Trail takes you to 14 significant indigenous sites. There is interpretive signage at each of the stops. The trail begins on the Esplanade in Geraldton and takes you to 6 places in town. It then takes you south to Greenough and east through Ellendale Pool to Mullewa. Along the way you’ll see important historic, natural and cultural sites.
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