Suggestions for Geraldton

[dronfield]

I'll be in Geraldton March 2013 on Radiance. Does anyone have any suggestions on tours/what to do? Ship has only a city tour and museum visit but I was hoping for something different.

[Aus Traveller]

If you want something fairly simple I suggest getting the hop-on/hop-off shuttle bus for $5 per person. You will find the bus just past the information tent after you walk off the jetty.

 

Get off at the first stop (HMAS Sydney memorial) where volunteers will conduct free informative tours.

 

Then ask the driver if he will let you off at the Cathedral (St Francis Xavier). It is superb and there are usually volunteers inside to explain the features of the building and tell you about the designer/builder Monsigner John Hawes. The crypt is open on cruise ship days.

 

From there you will have to walk a couple of blocks to the middle of town because the shuttle bus doesn't have a stop at the cathedral. When you board the bus you will be given a map showing the bus stops.

 

Next stop the Museum. This is a superb museum and they also operate free tours. Take particular note of the displays on the sinking of the HMAS Sydney that accounted for 35% of Australia's Naval deaths. Another feature is a display on the wreck of the Batavia in 1629 and its gruesome aftermath.

 

From there you can either wait for the next bus (20 minutes) or walk a couple of hundred metres - firstly along the street past a pearl shop, Chimere Pearls from the Abrolhos Islands. These are the same species as Tahitian pearls and well worth a look, although they are not cheap. Continue walking, the last part of the walk is along the waterfront.

[hematocrit]

I would recommend a visit to the HMAS Sydney Memorial. If you take the ship shuttle into Geralton, there is usually a shuttle bus which will run to and from the Memorial.