GERALDTON port Information

GERALDTON PORT GUIDE

 

This the guide to Geraldton,  prepared by Princess Cruises. This guide is intended to assist you if you are on a tour, touring independently or doing both.

Please note that the information provided is general in nature and is subject to change.

ENVIRONMENT

Whatever you decide to do after your visit to Geraldton or any port of call, please bring your rubbish back to the Ship with you - that includes dead batteries.

Geraldton is a port city that is jam-packed with things to do and see.

Perhaps this is because like Perth, 450 kilometres to the south, it's one of the world's most isolated cities, and might overcompensate by providing its visitors and 25,000 citizens with lots to occupy their time. It has a vibrant cultural and sporting scene, excellent restaurants and boasts an extraordinary range of natural attributes, many of them easily reached from the city.

Location is everything, and Geraldton's is perfect. It's the key city of Western Australia's renowned Coral Coast. This is a sublime stretch of magnificent beaches, estuaries, rugged cliffs, desert and extraordinarily beautiful and isolated landscapes extending almost 1,300 kilometers from Cervantes in the south to Exmouth in the north. Many travelers make Geraldton their base, then set out on extensive treks along the coast, through desert country or out onto the reefs and islands of the Indian Ocean.

The climate here is equally sublime, reminding many visitors of balmy days and warm nights in the south of France or southern Italy. Further to the northern end of the Coral Coast, the climate really warms up, eventually becoming tropical. However, because it's located towards the southern end of the Coral Coast, Geraldton basks in a comfortable Mediterranean climate.

If you love history, marine sports, a cosmopolitan lifestyle and the natural environment, you'll adore spending some time in and around Geraldton and the Coral Coast.

Let's start with the ocean. There're snorkeling and diving up and down the coast, but particularly off the Ningaloo Reef, a reef that rivals in beauty Queensland's Great Barrier Reef. Closer to Geraldton, you could opt for sailing, windsurfing, power boating, swimming in secluded bays, fishing and surfing the cresting waves of the mighty Indian Ocean. Or you might just want to laze away on a white sand beach.

 

Sun Princess at Anchor off Geraldton

Those interested in history and culture will find the area's indigenous history very absorbing, so do try to take in a visit to the strikingly modern Western Australian Museum Geraldton, overlooking the splendid Batavia Coast Marina. It has an excellent display that explores the life and culture of the indigenous Yamatji people. Geraldton and the regions to the west and south of the city are collectively also the ancestral home of the Amangu people, who first settled here thousands of years ago, but in more modern times have dispersed quite widely from Geraldton.

While on the subject of history, the Western Australian Museum Geraldton also has an excellent gallery devoted to shipwrecks, featuring a reassembled stone portico that was part of the cargo of the Dutch sailing ship Batavia, which ran aground on the beautiful, but treacherous Houtman Abrolhos Islands, just 60 kilometres off the coast of Geraldton in 1629. The Dutch were the first Europeans to attempt to chart the Western Australian coast, and as early as 1616 Dutch navigator, Dirk Hartog, landed on an island near Denham Sound, well to the north of Geraldton.

As with most of Australia, inland exploration and settlement by Europeans in Western Australia didn't begin until the early 1800s, and it wasn't until 1839 that the area around Geraldton was first explored by a European, George Grey. Geraldton itself was founded in 1850.

Although it's feel is definitely cosmopolitan, Geraldton has the atmosphere of a relaxed seaside town and there's no better place to start your wanderings than along the boardwalk of the Batavia Coast Marina. Apart from the museum and the marina, you'll find cafes and restaurants and plenty of opportunities to simply gaze out over the waterfront and Champion Bay. South west from the marina, along the waterfront, is the bustling fishing boat harbour and wharf. This is a great place to see, and maybe even sample, a fresh catch of lobster.

If you're into architecture, there are two very different buildings that may interest you, aside from the stunning Western Australian Museum Geraldton. First, the old Geraldton Gaol (jail, if you're an American!). It's a grim reminder of what penal servitude could be like. The gaol opened soon after Geraldton was established in the middle of the 19th century and released its last prisoner as recently as 1986. In complete contrast is the impressive St Francis Xavier Cathedral, designed by an architect who was also a priest, Monsignor John Hawes.

 Overlooking the city, at Mount Scott, offering great views over Champion Bay and Geraldton, is a very moving memorial dedicated to one of Australia's worst wartime tragedies, the sinking of HMAS Sydney during World War 2 by the German raider, Kormoran, with the loss of the Australian cruiser's entire crew - 645 men.

When you head out of Geraldton, right along the Coral Coast are some beautiful national parks, each one providing sanctuary to the region's abundant native animals, birds and flora, including some of Western Australia's famous wildflowers.

With such a bewildering array of choices in and around Geraldton, you might be wise to select a P&O cruises shore tour. With many of the tours you'll still have enough time to wander the streets of Geraldton, unwind and enjoy the splendid isolation and tranquility this attractive seaside town offers.

 

Practical Information for Geraldton

 

DOCKING

Tenders from the ship will provide a regular service throughout the day to and from Geraldton.

Tender leaving for shore at Geraldton

SHIP'S SECURITY NOTICE

In order to prevent unauthorized persons boarding the ship, you are required to carry your "Cruise Card" with you when going ashore. You will be asked to produce this at the gangway when you leave and return to the ship. Please ensure that you also have a Government issued picture ID with you before leaving the ship, as you may be required to show this at security checkpoints upon your return. We kindly ask you not to accept and bring onboard any parcels or packages from strangers. Before boarding the ship, you may also be asked by our Security Staff to open parcels or handbags which you are carrying. We are sure that you will appreciate that this security is in the best interest of all concerned.

BOATING OPERATIONS IN GERALDTON

SAFETY IN THE TENDERS:

Today we will be taking you ashore using the ship's tenders. For your own safety please read the Tender Safety Notice at the head of the gangway and familiarize yourself with the contents of the Emergency Instructions Notice posted in the cab of each tender. You are reminded that there must be No Smoking whilst in the tenders and that to avoid risk of injury, you must keep your hands and arms off the side of the tender as it comes alongside the ship or wharf It is important that you follow the instructions given by the crew members and that you remain seated whilst in the tenders. Do not get in or out of the tenders until instructed to do so by the ship's staff.

GOING ASHORE - TENDER TICKETS DISTRIBUTION

TENDER TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INDEPENDENT PASSENGERS FROM 8:30AM APPROXIMATELY

To avoid overcrowding at the tender embarkation area and to avoid discomfort standing in line waiting for a tender to take you ashore, we will be operating a tender ticket system after our arrival in Geraldton.

When you and your entire party are ready to go ashore please send a representative, proceed to the Atrium Lounge, Deck 7 where you will be issued with tender tickets for your whole group. Please wait in the comfort of one of the lounges or open decks and only proceed to the tender embarkation area when your tender ticket number has been called. Please note at the peak operating time delays may be experienced so we do ask for your patience and cooperation.

THE LAST TENDER FROM THE SHORE WILL LEAVE AT 5:00pm

 

SHORE EXCURSIONS

There are a number of tours available for you to really get the most out of your rime in and around Geraldton and the Coral Coast. These tours are excellent if you'd like to see what lies beyond the town, particularly in the 'near outback', along the coast. Subject to availability, tours may be booked onboard at the Tour Office.

Passengers will meet at a specific location for each tour departure. Please refer to the Princess Patter for the correct place and time. Your friendly Tour staff will be at that location to assist you.

TAXIS

Metered taxis are available, however Geraldton is quite compact and much of what you'll want to see is in the centre of town.

SHOPPING

Geraldton's small downtown area near the waterfront has all the shopping facilities you'll need. This might be the perfect time for you to purchase a genuine work of art by an indigenous artist. The Marra Aboriginal Corporation sells art works and craft pieces by local indigenous artists in the Bill Sewell Complex at the corner of Chapman Road and Bayly Street. The Geraldton Visitors Centre is in the same building. The Western Australian Museum Geraldton's shop has an interesting range of locally produced items and publications.

CREDIT CARD

Major credit cards and charge cards are widely accepted.

CLIMATE

What can we say? The climate is deliciously Mediterranean. It can get quite hot in summer (around 32 degrees Celsius) and it's pleasantly mild even in winter, so please make sure you stay hydrated and protected from the sun.

WHAT TO WEAR ASHORE

To make your day ashore as enjoyable as possible, wear comfortable, flat soled shoes, lightweight clothes and a hat, and bring along some sunscreen, insect repellent and bottled water. Don't forget your swimwear and a towel if you're planning to spend any time on or in the water. Snorkeling gear is available for hire or purchase on board the ship.

TELEPHONES INTERNATIONAL & LOCAL

Public telephones are widely available.

LOCAL CUISINE

Geraldton's cosmopolitan lifestyle has given rise to some excellent restaurants, bars and cafes. Being a major fishing port, seafood is a logical choice and the local lobster is mouth watering. You'll find great eating spots downtown and around the waterfront.

The condition and method of preparation of food and drinks ashore cannot be monitored by Princess Cruises. With that in mind, passengers are advised that if they purchase or consume food they do so at their own risk.

TIPPING

If you're pleased with the service you receive in a restaurant, a reasonable tip would be around five to ten percent of the bill.

PRINCESS CRUISES AGENTS

In case of emergency while you are ashore please contact the nearest Princess Cruises crew member. Alternatively, Princess Cruises' port agent representative in Geraldton is:

241B Lester Avenue Geraldton, WA 6530 PO Box 635

Telephone: (08) 9965 3366 Telefax: (08) 9965 3388