Geraldton (Wajarri: Jambinu, Wilunyu: Jambinbirri)[3][4] is a coastal city in the Mid West region of Western Australia, 424 kilometres (263 mi) north of the state capital, Perth.

Geraldton is an important service and logistics centre for regional mining, fishing, wheat, sheep and tourism industries.

Wajarri country is inland from Geraldton and extends as far south and west as Mullewa, north to Gascoyne Junction and east to Meekatharra.

[citation needed] The Aboriginal people of the Murchison-Gascoyne region were instrumental in assisting early settlers in the area in identifying permanent water sources, and worked in the pearling, pastoral and fishing industries.

[citation needed] Yamatji art is a distinctive style of painting, using thousands of dots of ochre and other earth-based pigments to create patterns and images relevant to Yamatji/Wajarri culture.

[citation needed] The Western Australia Museum at the marina in Geraldton hosts a permanent exhibit on Yamatji/Wajarri culture and history of the region.

[7] Many European mariners encountered, or were wrecked on, the Houtman Abrolhos islands 60 kilometres (37 mi) west of Geraldton during the 17th and 18th centuries.

[8] The wreck of the Batavia, flagship of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) fleet on her maiden voyage, on Morning Reef of the Houtman Abrolhos on 4 June 1629, and the events surrounding the subsequent mutiny, rescue and punishment of her crew are of great historical significance to the region.

[9] A detailed account of the events is recorded in a 24 December 1897 Western Mail article "The Abrolhos Tragedy",[10] translated from the notes of Francois Pelsaert, the commander of the Batavia when she ran aground.

[citation needed] The explorer George Grey, while on his second disastrous expedition along the Western Australian coast, passed over the future site of Geraldton on 7 April 1839.

[15][16] The Geraldine mine was subsequently established, named after the County Clare family home of Charles FitzGerald, the 4th Governor of Western Australia.

Afternoon sea breezes cool coastal areas and summer temperatures in coastal suburbs of Geraldton (Seacrest, Tarcoola, Geraldton CBD, Beresford, Sunset Beach, Bluff Point and Drummond Cove) are generally cooler than in inland suburbs, such as Strathalbyn, Utakarra, Woorree, Deepdale and Moonyoonooka.

[citation needed] The Point Moore Lighthouse, located south of the Geraldton Port is a cultural and historical attraction.

[citation needed] Geraldton is a regular port of call for cruise ships with visits occurring approximately ten times per year.

[31] The memorial for the World War II cruiser HMAS Sydney is located on Gummer Avenue, at the summit of Mount Scott.

Farmers markets occur on Saturday from 8 am to 12 noon in Maitland Park on Cathedral Avenue and on Sunday at the Old railway station on the corner of Chapman Road and Forrest Street.

Local and visiting recreational fishermen and women target a wide variety of native sport fish from the beaches and wharves that includes Mulloway, Bream, Tailor, Whiting, Sharks and Cod; larger fish such as Dhufish, Mackerel, Tuna, Snapper, Sampsonfish, Coral Trout and larger sharks, amongst many others are found on Geraldton's offshore reefs, located from approximately 8 km to more than 80 km offshore.

Geraldton has a number of resident sporting teams, including Australian Rules Football, Basketball, Netball, Soccer and Roller Derby League.

Queens Park Theatre is the largest entertainment and conference venue in Geraldton, with a 673-seat auditorium (including box and circle seating), two large foyers with bars, a reception room, and a 500-seat outdoor amphitheatre.

The festival takes place annually in October, celebrating the arrival of Spring and providing opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with local businesses and other organisations.

Australian and International authors come together to share their knowledge and experiences in many ways, from intimate dinners to large scale debates.

"[52] The Greater Geraldton Regional Library is open seven days a week and provides free access to the Internet via a public WiFi hotspot.

[55] The Queen Elizabeth II Centre (QE2) is home to a variety of community and seniors' groups, and offers facilities for public hire, including two large halls with equipped kitchens.

Geraldton is host to one of the 121 "points of interconnection"[56] for the Australian National Broadband Network (NBN), providing service to the largest geographic region in Australia.

Allied health services (speech pathology, psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy and audiology) are also available at the hospital.

[citation needed] Most of the GPs and resident specialists in Geraldton are involved in teaching Rural Clinical School medical students.

The centre is an Australian first with university places allocated specifically for Geraldton, allowing students to study locally while living and working in the Mid West.

The Batavia Coast Maritime Institute (BCMI), a subsidiary of Central Regional TAFE, is a training, research and development facility located at Separation Point in Geraldton.

Seven produces a 30-minute regional news program each weeknight (originating from Bunbury) with a newsroom based in Geraldton, covering the local area.

The Geraldton Guardian was established in 1878 as the Victorian Express and is the state's second oldest extant newspaper in continuous circulation (after The West Australian).