 Visit the Batavia Coast WA
On the long stretch of coastline, from Greenhead in the south to Kalbarri in the north, a nature-based holiday can be experienced just as easily as a traditional beachside holiday.
The main centres are Greenhead, Leeman, Eneabba (just in from the coast), Dongara Denison, Greenough (including the historic Greenough Hamlet), Geraldton, Northampton, Horrocks, Port Gregory and Kalbarri. The benign weather is ideal for all water activities – swimming, windsurfing, wave jumping, sailing, canoeing, surfing, diving and fishing.
The small coastal villages of Leeman and Greenhead are three hours north of Perth and located on pristine beaches with secluded little bays that offer peaceful retreats for people wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Fisherman’s Island, south of Greenhead, and Beagle Island north of Leeman, are Australian Sea Lion breeding colonies. Sea Lion viewing tours with Government registered guides are available from Beagle Island Diving. The warm Leeuwin current from the north brings with it tropical sea life which swims with temperate species creating a very diverse diving environment offshore.
The City of Geraldton, with a population of approximately 25,000, is the commercial centre and port for the Batavia Coast. It can be reached via the Brand Highway (425 kilometres or 4.5 hours driving). The Midlands Road is further inland and passes through more farming country. There are also regular scheduled flights between Geraldton and Perth every week.
Nearby Geraldton is the picturesque Chapman Valley, with the flat-topped hills of the Moresby Ranges is the location of a developing wine industry.
Northampton, north of Geraldton was declared a townsite in 1864. Fine historic buildings such as Chiverton House Museum and Our Lady in Ara Coeli Church (designed by Monsignor Hawes), gives visitors a sense of turning back the clock.
Enroute to Kalbarri the small communities of Port Gregory and Horrocks cater for all age groups with their reef-protected bays and beautiful beaches, offer safe swimming, water sports and fishing.
The town of Kalbarri, 160 kilometres north of Geraldton, can be approached from two directions: via the North West Coastal Highway and the Adjana-Kalbarri Road through the 186,000-hectare National Park, or Northampton and Port Gregory on the Grey Road.
The breathtaking scenery of the coastal cliffs and river gorges of the national park, whale watching, soft adventure options such as canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing, horse riding, hiking, bird park, fishing, tennis, camel riding, surfing, and a variety of tours, plus an excellent selection of accommodation, makes Kalbarri one of the State’s most popular holiday destinations.
The Kalbarri National Park is protected for its flora and fauna. Nature lovers marvel at the variety and colour of flowering plants in the park, which claims over 850 different species. The rugged gorges along the Murchison River provide spectacular views from the accessible viewing platforms, and the towering coastal gorges have excellent access roads and viewing areas.
For more information on travelling to the the West Coast region visit Western Australia Tourism's website.
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