10 Fun Things To Do In Geraldton With Kids

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Geraldton, Western Australia is a great place to explore with the family. This small town has plenty of charm and beautiful views of the Indian Ocean along the WA coastline. Plan your visit with the best things to do in Geraldton for kids and families, whether you are staying just a day or spending longer in town.

For budget accommodation check out Belair Gardens Caravan Park

A Guide To Visiting Geraldton WA

If you are looking for a place to explore with the family and the perfect stop on a Western Australia coastal road trip, is a great option. Geraldton is a small town with plenty of fun things to do, making it the perfect destination to spend a couple of days.

Geraldton is the largest town in the Mid West region of Western Australia and is a great stop, whether you are exploring the coral coast or heading inland.

This guide will share with you the best things to do in Geraldton with kids or for anyone who is looking to spend a day or more in the area.

For special events and seasonal information, the Geraldton Visitor Centre is a great source of information while you are in town.

Where is Geraldton?

Geraldton is located about halfway up Western Australia’s coast and can easily be visited on your way to or from Perth. It is situated approximately 415km north of Perth.

The drive from Perth to Geraldton takes around 4 hours and 20 minutes. It is also the largest city near beautiful Kalbarri and a popular stop on the way to visiting Kalbarri National Park.

The Best Things To Do In Geraldton

Now that you have a little bit of information about Geraldton, WA, here are the best things to do in Geraldton with family or for anyone who is looking to make the most of their stay in town.

1. Geraldton Foreshore

If you are visiting Geraldton with kids, the Geraldton Foreshore area will be a great spot to spend a few hours or a full day. Here you will find a splash park with water jets and a playground.

The water park is great fun aside from the wind! The one downfall of being on the coast.

There are picnic tables and BBQ areas along the foreshore. It is also a short walk to restaurants, cafes and the centre of Geraldton where you will find bakeries and takeaway food.

2. Head To The Geraldton Beaches

Town Beach, in Champion Bay, is a popular choice for families simply because of the convenient location right next to town and next to the Geraldton Foreshore area.

The turquoise waters are relatively calm and there is a diving platform a little way out in the water.

It’s a popular choice for water sports during the warmer months. Kite surfing and windsurfing are good choices since there is a fairly consistent wind off the area of the Western Australian coastline.

The other main beach in Geraldton is Geraldton Back Beach, which is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer months and school holidays.

While they may not be Western Australia’s most beautiful beaches, they are still worth a visit for a swim or a sunset beach walk!

3. Museum of Geraldton

The Museum of Geraldton is a great place to visit if you are looking for things to do in Geraldton with kids or families. The museum, located on the waterfront of the Indian Ocean, tells the story of the region, the Yamaji people and their culture.

The museum explores marine history in-depth, including archaeological discoveries from four Dutch shipwrecks – Batavia, Gilt Dragon, Zuytdorp, and Zeewijk in the Shipwrecks Gallery.

There is a guided tour at 11:30 am each day to learn the highlights of the museum.

Virtually experience the wrecks of HMAS Sydney (II) and HSK Kormoran as they currently lie, 2,500 metres underwater on the ocean floor, in From Great Depths, a moving exhibit and 3D film.

There are also displays on early settlers, local history and geology as well as exhibitions targeting kids and families.

The gift shop is a perfect place to shop for souvenirs or unique gift ideas.

TIP: If you want to continue your cultural experience, The Geraldton Regional Art Gallery showcases the best of local and national contemporary arts.

4. HMAS Sydney II Memorial

While you’re exploring the history of Geraldton, why not also take a detour over to the HMAS Sydney II Memorial. The memorial commemorates the 645 men who died on board during the loss of The HMAS Sydney II on 19th November 1941.

It is located on top of Mount Scott overlooking Geraldton, where you can get some great views across the city of greater Geraldton and out towards the Indian Ocean.

The memorial is surrounded by beautiful gardens to complement the architectural design.

5. Point Moore Lighthouse

The Point Moore Lighthouse is a great place to visit if you are looking to discover some of the best Geraldton attractions just a short drive from town.

The red and white stripe lighthouse was built circa 1878 and has been fully restored.

While you cannot climb the lighthouse, the views of the Indian Ocean from this area are worthwhile and you can explore around the bottom of the lighthouse, reading about the history.

The area near the lighthouse is also extremely popular for diving and snorkelling since at low tide you can walk right up to the reef.

6. Houtman Abrolhos Islands

The Houtman Abrolhos Islands are a group of 122 islands, located around 60km off the west coast of mainland Australia, along Australia’s beautiful coral coast.

While it is not possible to visit all 122 islands in one day, there are several popular options for visiting these beautiful beaches and taking advantage of an idyllic setting.

The islands are clustered into three main groups: the Easter Group, Wallabi Group, and Pelsaert Group, which extend from north to south across 100 kilometres of the Indian Ocean.

The Abrolhos Islands are classified as a National Park and are popular for a range of different activities, from snorkelling and diving the shipwreck sites, including the Batavia shipwreck site, to fishing, wildlife watching and boating.

You might even be lucky enough to see a Tammar Wallaby – a unique marsupial that has adapted to its remote home by drinking seawater when there is no fresh water available.

There is also the chance to spot dolphins, turtles and sea lions.

There are daily cruises that depart from Batavia Coast Marina to the islands.

7. Geraldton Aquarena

If you’re looking for a place to cool off aside from the beach, Geraldton Aquarena is a great choice. The public swimming pool has indoor swimming pools and outdoor pools, offering the usual swimming lessons and aqua fitness classes.

However, at certain times of the year, Aquarena is also a super fun water park for the whole family!

During school holidays they have an inflatable obstacle course and waterslides. So fun! You can also hire the inflatable equipment by the hour if you want to have your own private pool party.

Visit their website for details.

8. Visit The Pink Lake – Hutt Lagoon

Hutt Lagoon in Port Gregory is just over 1 hour from Geraldton and well worth making the drive for.

The pink lake gets its colouring from a combination of being a salt lake and from carotenoid-producing algae that are present in the water.

This breathtaking anomaly has to be seen to believe just how pink it is.

Although, there are a few tips we have to ensure you get the most vibrant pink. The best chance of a vibrant, bubble gum pink colour is visiting between 10 am and 2 pm, when the sun is highest in the sky and on a day when there is little to no cloud coverage.

9. Ellendale Pool

Ellendale Pool is a hidden gem of a natural attraction, with its naturally formed water hole located along the picturesque Greenough River.

Located near the historic town of Greenough, it’s surrounded by magnificent gum trees and rocky cliffs that make for amazing views!

Ellendale Pool is approximately a 40-minute drive southeast of Geraldton.

Camping is permitted in the area, at a fee. There are also picnic areas public facilities so you easily spend some time in the area.

Along the way, consider a visit to Walkaway Station Museum if you’re interested in railway artefacts and their history.

This also forms part of the Yamaji Drive Trail.

10. Day Trip To Kalbarri National Park

If you’re not planning to head further north but you do have a few days to spare in Geraldton, a day trip to Kalbarri National Park is well worth the hour and 45-minute drive.

Entrance into the national park is $15 per car, payable upon entry.

There are some incredible nature walks and coastal walks within the national parks, including the shorter Natures Window and Pot Alley walking tracks.

The Kalbarri Skywalk is also a free attraction within the park to give you a birds-eye view over the national park.

If you get to Kalbarri early enough, there is a daily pelican feeding down by the foreshore at around 9:30 each day and also a fantastic nature playground with BBQs and picnic areas at the foreshore.

You can also hire a boat or paddleboard for some fun on the water.

Got more time? Take a day trip to nearby Jurien Bay and swim with sea lions or snorkel in the Jurien Bay Marine Park. Find loads more incredible things to do in Jurien Bay.

Whether you’re looking for family-friendly attractions or things to do in Geraldton with the whole family, this list of ideas should have something for everyone – no matter what age group. Geraldton is the perfect stop as part of a longer Western Australia road trip or as a stopover between Perth and Kalbarri. And thankfully, the coastal town holds plenty of its own charm and unique history too!

We hope this guide on what to do in Geraldton helps you plan your visit!