"Keeweechic's Geraldton" a Geraldton Travel Page by keeweechic

Geraldton is 424kms north of Perth and the largest city in the north (of Perth) and the 5th largest in Western Australia. The area offers great beaches for swimming and surfing as well as off shore boating, fishing and diving. The city is also a good stopping or halfway point for travelling to cities further north.

George Grey first explored the area in 1839 and by 1950 he had surveyed 40 ˝ acre allotments. By June 1851 Geraldton was declared a townsite.

The city’s industries are rock lobster fishing, mining, manufacturing and agricultural and the port is a key export centre. Just off the coast are the Houtman Abrolhos Islands which were named after a Dutch Commander (Frederik de Houtman) who discovered them in 1619. There are 122 islands in all and are more commonly known as the Abrolhos Islands. They have become an A Class Reserve for the conservation of flora and fauna. The waters around the islands are also protected for the conservation of fish and their breeding areas.