logo
This WA destination deserves a spot on your bucket list

This WA destination deserves a spot on your bucket list

West Australian23-04-2025
If you've ever travelled up WA's Coral Coast, chances are you've treated Geraldton as little more than a handy stop on the way to Kalbarri or Coral Bay. But linger a little longer, and you'll quickly realise this coastal town isn't just a pit stop but a destination in its own right.
Just a short flight or scenic drive from Perth, Geraldton has it all – jaw-dropping natural beauty, vibrant culture and a foodie scene that punches well above its weight. Whether you're chasing thrills, sunsets or seafood, Geraldton is proof that some of WA's best destinations are often part of the journey.
Geraldton is serving up flavours as incredible as its ocean views. Dine on fresh crayfish, dhufish and scallops straight from the boat to your plate. Head to Skeetas for a coastal bite or pop into Flow Cafe for healthy bowls and excellent coffee.
If craft spirits are more your vibe,
30 Knots Distillery
is shaking things up with small-batch spirits infused with local botanicals and inspired by Geraldton's maritime history. Soak up the distillery's warm atmosphere as you sip with views of Geraldton's stunning coast.
And for something heartier, the
Burnt Barrel
delivers sticky, smoky BBQ goodness. Famous for their Kansas City-style smoked meats, ice-cold craft brews, and family-friendly atmosphere, this local gem is a must-visit for mouthwatering flavours and good vibes.
With the Indian Ocean as its backyard, Geraldton offers up water sports and adventures for all levels of thrill-seeker. It's a mecca for windsurfing and kite-boarding, thanks to consistent wind and clear blue waters—just ask the international pros who flock here every summer.
Prefer your adventures a little more relaxed? Join a
Blue Juice Charters
luxury adventure tour of the Abrolhos Islands. Opt for a 3,4- or 5-day tour and spend your days fishing, diving and snorkelling, enjoying fresh crayfish and seafood, and relaxing on the sundeck.
Take to the skies with
Geraldton Scenic Flights
for jaw-dropping aerial views. Soar above the Abrolhos Islands, where a chain of 122 coral-fringed islands sparkles against the Indian Ocean. Continue north to witness the candy-pink hues of Hutt Lagoon, a surreal salt lake that changes colour with the light, best appreciated from the sky. Round out the journey with a flight over the dramatic Kalbarri River Gorges, showcasing WA's rugged natural beauty in all its glory.
Geraldton may be small in size, but it's big on culture. The Museum of Geraldton offers a powerful window into the area's Aboriginal heritage and maritime history, including a moving tribute to the ill-fated Batavia.
Art and culture lovers will enjoy the city's ever-growing public art trail, where bold murals, sculptures and hidden treasures give Geraldton a fresh, modern edge.
Time your visit right (late winter to spring) and you'll be treated to one of WA's most dazzling natural wildflower displays. Geraldton is the gateway to wildflower country, where stunning carpets of everlastings, orchids and wreath flowers burst with colour. Take a tour with local experts
New Leaf Connect
, who'll guide you through secret wildflower spots and off-the-beaten-track trails filled with meaningful connections to people, places and produce in the Mid west region of WA.
Visit
the website
to learn more about how you can experience Australia's Coral Coast.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Meltdowns and stares: What I learnt taking kids on a luxury cruise
Meltdowns and stares: What I learnt taking kids on a luxury cruise

The Age

time3 hours ago

  • The Age

Meltdowns and stares: What I learnt taking kids on a luxury cruise

It's December 25 in Livorno and, like our fellow passengers in Amphora – the a la carte restaurant onboard Windstar Cruises' Star Legend – our family of four is settling in for a fancy Christmas dinner. Dressed in our festive finest, my husband and I sip champagne while our nine- and seven-year-old daughters draw as we wait for our starters to be served. So far, so good on our decision to swap Christmas at home in France for a small-ship Mediterranean cruise. We're on day three of our seven-night sailing from Rome to Barcelona and we have all adapted to the luxuries of life onboard with alarming speed. I wish I could ask Father Christmas for this evermore. That is, until my youngest takes offence when I stop her from taking her cardigan off. In protest, she slams her forehead into her fine-china place setting in front of her, before starting to wail at her usual high volume. The commotion stops conversations around us. A crew member swiftly comes to her side, removing the tableware from her reach. I don't need to look up to see the knowing glances passing between people nearby. My smugness has evaporated, replaced by a blush that quickly deepens: Windstar's minimum age is eight years old, and we've been granted an exception to bring her on the cruise. She is, right now, demonstrating exactly why that limit has been set. While few cruise lines explicitly ban children (Viking and Virgin Voyages being the most notable examples), not all of them offer Disney and Royal Caribbean-style bells and whistles. At the smaller end of the cruise ship scale, Windstar and its like among other premium and luxury lines welcome younger guests (the age limit varies per line) but they don't have any dedicated kids programming as such.

Meltdowns and stares: What I learnt taking kids on a luxury cruise
Meltdowns and stares: What I learnt taking kids on a luxury cruise

Sydney Morning Herald

time3 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

Meltdowns and stares: What I learnt taking kids on a luxury cruise

It's December 25 in Livorno and, like our fellow passengers in Amphora – the a la carte restaurant onboard Windstar Cruises' Star Legend – our family of four is settling in for a fancy Christmas dinner. Dressed in our festive finest, my husband and I sip champagne while our nine- and seven-year-old daughters draw as we wait for our starters to be served. So far, so good on our decision to swap Christmas at home in France for a small-ship Mediterranean cruise. We're on day three of our seven-night sailing from Rome to Barcelona and we have all adapted to the luxuries of life onboard with alarming speed. I wish I could ask Father Christmas for this evermore. That is, until my youngest takes offence when I stop her from taking her cardigan off. In protest, she slams her forehead into her fine-china place setting in front of her, before starting to wail at her usual high volume. The commotion stops conversations around us. A crew member swiftly comes to her side, removing the tableware from her reach. I don't need to look up to see the knowing glances passing between people nearby. My smugness has evaporated, replaced by a blush that quickly deepens: Windstar's minimum age is eight years old, and we've been granted an exception to bring her on the cruise. She is, right now, demonstrating exactly why that limit has been set. While few cruise lines explicitly ban children (Viking and Virgin Voyages being the most notable examples), not all of them offer Disney and Royal Caribbean-style bells and whistles. At the smaller end of the cruise ship scale, Windstar and its like among other premium and luxury lines welcome younger guests (the age limit varies per line) but they don't have any dedicated kids programming as such.

Victorian council ends decade-long Great Ocean Road tourism bid
Victorian council ends decade-long Great Ocean Road tourism bid

West Australian

time3 days ago

  • West Australian

Victorian council ends decade-long Great Ocean Road tourism bid

A Victorian council has ended a decade-long bid to be included in the renowned Great Ocean Road. The Glenelg Shire Council in far southwest Victoria is blaming state and national marketing campaigns for not including their region. Despite not being on the Great Ocean Road itself, the Glenelg council had been paying $80,000 a year to be part of the Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board. In a statement on the council website, posted earlier this month, the council says it is time to cut the chord. 'From 2015, Glenelg Shire Council have been a member of the Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board (GORRT),' a spokesperson said. 'Council has found that although GORRT have been strong in their advocacy and attempts to link the Glenelg Shire to the Great Ocean Road, the Glenelg Shire is simply not officially recognised by our state and federal partners as being part of the Great Ocean Road. 'We are regularly omitted from marketing, tourism campaigns and strategies.' The Great Ocean Road generates $1.9bn of economic activity each year, the state government says, creating 9800 local jobs. Tourism Australia launched its new major campaign last week, and the only Victorian location featured was the Twelve Apostles, which is on the western half of the tourism strip. The Glenelg Shire is west of the actual Great Ocean Road, despite paying $80,000 a year to the road's tourism board. Membership gives businesses and organisations access to marketing on tourism websites. 'Council has chosen not to continue with GORRT, instead redirecting the $80,000 per year membership fee to directly invest in tailored opportunities that better align with the unique needs and potential of our region,' the council spokesperson said. The Glenelg Shire will instead focus on promoting its nationally recognised Kelpie Festival, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape; the first place in Australia to be recognised solely for its Aboriginal cultural values. A state government spokesperson said Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board was in charge of tourism for the region. 'We will continue to work with Glenelg Shire to encourage visitors to visit southwest Victoria and experience the best of the Great Ocean Road,' the spokesperson said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store