About Geraldton

Location
424km from Perth or a leisurely four and a half hour drive, Geraldton is situated on Champion Bay on a spectacular stretch of coastline known as the Batavia Coast.

Click here for a street map of Geraldton

Geographical features
Geraldton offers pristine beaches that have become a mecca for windsurfers and other aquatic lovers.  With the Chapman Valley to the north and the Moresby ranges to the east, the city is uniquely framed.
Directly across the sea from Geraldton lays the mysterious Houtman Abrolhos Islands – scene of the famous Batavia mutiny and home to one of nature’s most spectacular marine areas.

Climate
Magnificently Mediterranean, Geraldton is perfect to visit all year round.
You’ll find mild winters, balmy autumn evenings, summers cooled by regular sea breezes and spring bursting with the freshness of wildflowers blooming under perfect blue skies.

Economy
A port city, Geraldton is the administrative centre of the MidWest’s diverse industry base from a world leading rock lobster fishery to agriculture and gold production. Other industries include mining, fishing, manufacturing, construction and tourism.

History
First settled in 1850, Geraldton was originally named after the then Governor of Western Australia Sir Charles Fitzgerald. The area had attracted interest from Lieutenant Grey as possessing fertile farming land and presented as a natural port from which to ship lead being mined in Northampton.
The name Batavia Coast comes from the story of the Dutch East Indies Ship, the Batavia which ran aground on the Abrolhos Islands off the coast of Geraldton in 1629.  The mutiny which followed is now a part of Australian folklore.