Touring Western Australia - Geraldton

My Geraldton.net - For detailed accommodation and tourism information - Gearaldton accommodation, attractions, restaurants

Geraldton Western Australia, is a city and port in Western Australia located 424 kilometres (263 mi) north of Perth in the Mid West region. At the 2006 census, Geraldton has a population of 27,420 making it the fourth-largest city in Western Australia. Though many European maritime explorers encountered or were even wrecked on the Houtman Abrolhos islands 60 kilometres (37 mi) west of Geraldton in the 17th and 18th centuries, there seems to be no evidence[vague] 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.

HMAS Sydney was lost off the coast north west of Geraldton in 1941, and there is a memorial overlooking the city designed and build by Joan Walsh-Smith and Charles Smith of Smith Sculptors. After years of searching, the wreck of Sydney, and her opponent, the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran were discovered north of Geraldton, 150 kilometres (93 mi) from Shark Bay, in March 2008.

Surfing is a popular activity in and around Geraldton. Popular surf spots include Flat Rocks, Back Beach, Greenough, Glenfield and Sunset Beach. Geraldton is also an internationally renowned windsurfing location. The most popular spot is Coronation Beach, located just north of the town. "Coro" is a spectacular port tack jumping site,[citation needed] 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 horse racing industry, which since 1887 hosts the annual Geraldton Gold Cup. The 2007 Geraldton Gold Cup was won by 8-year-old TapDog. The race was historically significant. TapDog became the first horse to win the race three times, his trainer Clive Lauritsen became the first trainer to win the race 6 times, Roy McKay became the first jockey to win the race three times, and owners Peter Day, Jeannette Day, and Hans Hoiskar equalled the most wins by an owner in three. The race also passed the million dollar mark for the first time in tote turnover.[

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Geraldton's Climate

Geraldton's climate Geraldton lies in the transition stages between a Mediterranean and a semi-arid climate. In the wintertime, the temperature is rather mild, averaging around 20 degrees with most of the yearly rainfall in this period. This is due to cold fronts from Antarctica moving up and hitting the coast. In the summer months, Geraldton averages 31-32 degrees with some days over 40 degrees. High pressure in the Great Australia Bight sends warm easterly winds to Geraldton and a west coast trough is formed. This is the primary reason for the hot weather often experienced in Geraldton. It generally last for a few days as the trough moves inland and the sea breeze cools things down

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