GERALDTON

town and Indian Ocean port, southwestern Western Australia. It lies along Champion Bay, across Geelvinck Channel from the Houtman Abrolhos (islands). Surveyed in 1850, Geraldton originated as a military post for the nearby Murchinson goldfield and was declared a town in 1871. During World War II it was used as a U.S. amphibious air base. Geraldton is linked to Perth (230 miles southeast) by rail, air, and the Brand Highway and Midlands Road. It is now the state's second largest port, serving as the outlet for the northern Wheat Belt and a hinterland producing barley, oats, lupines, fruits, and tomatoes. Live sheep, mineral sands, gold, iron ore, and talc are also shipped, and natural gas is tapped. Geraldton has superphosphate plants, and crayfish are caught and exported. The town, which has Roman Catholic and Anglican cathedrals, is a winter resort. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 20,590.