The 8 best things to do in Geraldton

If there’s one thing you wouldn’t expect to see smack-bang in the middle of a rural Australian town, it’s a Roman Catholic cathedral. Designed by Monsignor John Hawes, the mighty structure took 22 years to build and officially opened its doors in 1938. A guided tour will treat you to more of St Francis Xavier’s history, but if you’re not too much of a bygone buff, the neighbouring Laian Restaurant might just take your fancy. Best experienced at dusk, dining alfresco at the Middle Eastern eatery in the shadow of the cathedral as it lights the night sky makes for a sensational backdrop. How’s that for a meal with a view?

It’s no secret that Western Australian sunsets are some of the best Down Under. The lengthy Indian Ocean coastline means guaranteed seaside reflections as the sun dips beyond the unobstructed horizon. Now, a Geraldton sunset is sublime on any old day, but whack in a 1.5-metre acrylic sphere that’s filled with 1,800 litres of water and you’ve got yourself something a little peculiar to marvel and a head-scratcher of a photo opportunity. The Horizon Ball installation by Aussie artist Lucy Humphrey has been reeling in the crowds to Beresford Foreshore since its 2019 installation, thanks to the perplexing, inverted perspective of its surroundings – up is down and down is up without attempting a risqué handstand. 

If bodies of water are high on your radar then the beach may be the obvious choice. However, Geraldton is here with all your inland aquatic needs as well. Two standouts are Hutt Lagoon and Ellendale Pool – vastly different, but each well worth a visit. Hutt Lagoon sits 100 kilometres north of Geraldton’s town centre and wows sightseers with its brilliant shades of pink. The 70 square kilometre lake contains extremely high levels of salinity that give Hutt Lagoon its year-round pink tones – but a cloudless mid-morning or sunset stop-off is the best time to take a walk along the salt flat shoreline. Ellendale Pool on the other hand is located 50 kilometres east of Geraldton and there’s no salt in sight – just an orange-rocked gorge lined with gum trees, native shrubbery and magnificent red dirt. As part of the Greenough River, the naturally-formed waterhole is big with picnickers, campers, bird-watchers, swimmers, kayakers and hikers alike, complete with barbecue facilities for a picturesque outback nibble.

Situated just 60 kilometres from the mainland, the Abrolhos Islands are an ideal getaway for biodiversity and marine lovers. Made up of 122 island clusters, the beautiful briny Abrolhos are coral-decorated and dance with ocean creatures, like dolphins, whales, sea lions and subtropical fish. It's a dream come true for swimmers and anglers alike. One of the islands’ main attractions is the Batavia shipwreck, once part of the Dutch East India Company’s fleet that ran aground over the Morning Reef in 1629. These days, it’s one of WA’s best-known historic dive sites. But if you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, exploring the islands by foot is a welcome pastime, where wallabies, lizards and birdlife are abundant, too. Accessible by both boat and plane from Geraldton, the Abrolhos Islands are a one-stop-shop day trip or a secluded, multi-day tour afloat (aka there’s no accommodation on the Islands).

Sometimes it’s only by submerging yourself deep in a town’s museums and art galleries that you gain a real appreciation for the place – and how about it, Geraldton has plenty to offer in that realm. Start at the Aboriginal-owned and operated Yamaji Art Centre where sustaining Indigenous art practices is at the forefront of its ethos. Follow it up with a wander around the Museum of Geraldton that highlights the region’s heritage, as well as archaeological findings from four Dutch shipwrecks, ancient landforms and Aboriginal culture, to name a few. And if you’re itching for more historic delights and visually appealing works, head on over to Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre Museum, Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, Greenough Museum and Gardens, along with the HMAS Sydney II Memorial.

Did you know that there are more than 12,000 species of wildflowers throughout Western Australia? That’s absolutely mega – and lucky you, if you’re heading to Geraldton, as the mid-west is home to one of the widest varieties in the state. From July until October each year, the landscape is blanketed with hues of pink, yellow, red and splats of everything in between, staining petals of wildflowers in all shapes and sizes. Mullewa, Chapman River Regional Park, Mills Lookout and Coalseam Conservation Park are hotspots for optimal flora viewing, with the most popular species including banksia, bottlebrush, dryandra, everlasting, Geraldton wax, grevilleas, spider orchid, wattle and the oh-so-ornate wreath flowers.

Although not strictly in Geraldton’s civic centre, the Greenough Wildlife and Bird Park is a mere 20-minute drive south of the main drag. The family-owned and operated grounds allow those drawn to fauna to get right up close with Australia’s beasts – crocodiles included. Greenough Wildlife and Bird Park has been rescuing and rehabilitating all sorts for more than 30 years, and it’s a great way to introduce the kids to both the wonders and perils of native animals. Admire slithery snakes and get acquainted with some lazy lizards too, or simply feed some friendly kangaroos and snuggle the baby goats. Watch out for the emus though – can’t trust ‘em. 

Getting out of the township and avoiding tourist traps is always a good idea when holidaying pretty much anywhere, and you couldn’t be further when discovering all that the Yamaji Drive Trail has to offer. Starting at The Esplanade in Geraldton and finishing up in Butterabby – just south of Mullewa – Yamaji Drive Trail is a journey of history, art and natural beauty. In just one or so days in a two-wheel drive, 14 sites of Indigenous significance await your gazing eyes and absorbent brain. From Chapman River Regional Park and Woolya Reserve to Bootenal Spring, the Yamaji Drive Trail is the definition of a scenic route. Head into the Geraldton Visitor Centre or Geraldton Regional Library for more information about tackling the trail.