This stretch of coastline is huge and greatly varied. It is where the desert meets the ocean in an often spectacular fashion.

From Perth to Geraldton there are the small towns of Dongara and Port Denison which are towns based around the Irwin River. There are fine beaches, lots of crayfish and birds such as pelicans and cormorants that hover around the mouth of the Irwin River. Greenough, further north, was once a busy little mining town but has now become a farming centre. Only about 20 kilometres south of Geraldton, the town has many 19th-century buildings that have now been restored by the National Trust. Inland of Geraldton and Dongara is the Wildflower Way famous for its brilliant display of wildflowers in the springtime.

Geraldton is the major town in the mid-west region. It is 421 kilometres north of Perth and has a spectacular stretch of coast with the Houtman Abrolhos Islands are located 60 kilometres off the coast of Geraldton. There are more than 100 islands in the group with treacherous reefs surrounding them. If your into bird watching, then these islands are the place to be.

Kalbarri is a popular spot with Backpackers and travellers. It particularly famous for its rugged coastline, scenic gorges and a rich history of Dutch shipwreck stories. The Kalbarri national park is well worth the effort, especially in spring with its 860 odd species of wildflowers (Sept/Oct/Nov). There are also more types of kangaroos and wallabies jumping around than you can shake a stick at. 170 species of bird have also been recorded.

Carnarvon situated at the mouth of the Gascoyne River is noted for its tropical fruit and climate. The main street is 40 metres wide, a reminder of the days when camel trains used to pass through, and salt is produced at nearby Lake McLeod. Prawns and scallops are harvested in the area. This a good place to try and pick up fruit picking or fishing work - see our work pages for more details. The worlds largest rock is actually at Mount Augustus, not Ayers Rock, 450 kilometres inland from Carnarvon.

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