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'''Green Head''' is a small coastal town in the [[Shire of Coorow]]. The town is situated between [[Geraldton]] and [[Perth]] in the [[Mid West (Western Australia)|Mid West]] region of [[Western Australia]] along the new [[Indian Ocean Drive]]. Its beaches and lifestyle provide a relaxed holiday atmosphere. It is the home of what was a significant, but now declining, rock lobster industry.<ref> {{cite journal | title = An overview of bio-economic, sociological and comparative analyses | journal = Assessment of western rock lobster strategic management options | date = January 2006 | last = Department of Fisheries, Western Australia | volume = 1 | issue = Fisheries Management Paper No. 209| id = | url = http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Documents/management_papers/fmp209.pdf | accessdate = 9 Dec 2013}}</ref> |
'''Green Head''' is a small coastal town in the [[Shire of Coorow]]. The town is situated between [[Geraldton]] and [[Perth]] in the [[Mid West (Western Australia)|Mid West]] region of [[Western Australia]], [[Australia]], along the new [[Indian Ocean Drive]]. Its beaches and lifestyle provide a relaxed holiday atmosphere. It is the home of what was a significant, but now declining, rock lobster industry.<ref> {{cite journal | title = An overview of bio-economic, sociological and comparative analyses | journal = Assessment of western rock lobster strategic management options | date = January 2006 | last = Department of Fisheries, Western Australia | volume = 1 | issue = Fisheries Management Paper No. 209| id = | url = http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Documents/management_papers/fmp209.pdf | accessdate = 9 Dec 2013}}</ref> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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It is known that in the 1600s the first Europeans known to visit the Green Head coast were Dutch sailors sailing to Indonesia for trade. Several Dutch ships were wrecked on the Western Australian reefs, among them the ''[[Vergulde Draeck]]'' (Gilt Dragon). Abraham Leeman and crew from the ''Waeckende Boey'', while searching in the ship's small boat for survivors of the ''Vergulde Draeck'', were marooned on Fishermans Island just south of Green Head in 1658. |
It is known that in the 1600s the first Europeans known to visit the Green Head coast were Dutch sailors sailing to Indonesia for trade. Several Dutch ships were wrecked on the Western Australian reefs, among them the ''[[Vergulde Draeck]]'' (Gilt Dragon). Abraham Leeman and crew from the ''Waeckende Boey'', while searching in the ship's small boat for survivors of the ''Vergulde Draeck'', were marooned on Fishermans Island just south of Green Head in 1658. |
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The town was named after the nearby headland, which was originally named in 1875 by Staff-Commander William Edwin Archdeacon R.N., who was in charge of the |
The town was named after the nearby headland, which was originally named in 1875 by Staff-Commander William Edwin Archdeacon R.N., who was in charge of the Admiralty [[survey]] of the coast of Western Australia.<ref>{{cite journal | title = Obituary. Staff-Captain William Edwin Archdeacon, R.N., 1839-1893. | journal = Minutes of the Proceedings, Institution of Civil Engineers | date = Jan 1893 | volume = 113 | issue = 1893 | pages = 360–361| id = | url = http://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/content/issue/imotp/113/1893 | format = pdf | accessdate = 10 August 2012}}</ref>. The name is descriptive.<ref>{{LandInfo WA|c|L|2011-03-07}}</ref> Land was set aside for a camping reserve in 1946 and the popularity of the area led to a demand for building blocks in the 1950s. Lots were surveyed in 1959 and the townsite was gazetted on 7 January, 1966. |
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== Tourism == |
== Tourism == |
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| Green Head Western Australia | |
|---|---|
Dynamite Bay, Green Head, 2013.
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| Population | 256 (2011 Census)[1] |
| Established | 1966 |
| Postcode(s) | 6514 |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Coorow |
| State electorate(s) | Moore |
| Federal division(s) | Durack |
Green Head is a small coastal town in the Shire of Coorow. The town is situated between Geraldton and Perth in the Mid West region of Western Australia, Australia, along the new Indian Ocean Drive. Its beaches and lifestyle provide a relaxed holiday atmosphere. It is the home of what was a significant, but now declining, rock lobster industry.[2]
It is known that in the 1600s the first Europeans known to visit the Green Head coast were Dutch sailors sailing to Indonesia for trade. Several Dutch ships were wrecked on the Western Australian reefs, among them the Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon). Abraham Leeman and crew from the Waeckende Boey, while searching in the ship's small boat for survivors of the Vergulde Draeck, were marooned on Fishermans Island just south of Green Head in 1658.
The town was named after the nearby headland, which was originally named in 1875 by Staff-Commander William Edwin Archdeacon R.N., who was in charge of the Admiralty survey of the coast of Western Australia.[3]. The name is descriptive.[4] Land was set aside for a camping reserve in 1946 and the popularity of the area led to a demand for building blocks in the 1950s. Lots were surveyed in 1959 and the townsite was gazetted on 7 January, 1966.
Green Head is a popular tourist destination and has a number of accommodation choices available.
Activities include seeing sea lions which are a short boat ride off the Green Head coastline at Fisherman's Island which hosts the largest population of Australian sea lions in the state. Numbers fluctuate between 150-250,depending on the breeding cycle. Interaction can be experienced with these inquisitive mammals by a government licensed charter.
Fishing and Boating are also popular, Green Head has numerous vantage points for beach fishing. You can expect to catch whiting, herring, taylor, skippy and sometimes cobbler. Two recreational boat ramps service the town one being located near the jetty and the other at South Bay, this ramp is for smaller boats as its in shallow water. A variety of trophy fish can be caught from the boat as well as having access to the local crayfish with your own Cray pots
Tourists also come to enjoy surfing. There is one main paddle out break in Green Head named Point Louise. This break is best suited for beginners or malibu riders when the swell is under 2 metres. Any bigger than 2 metres creates a more powerful wave which would suit the intermediate to advanced surfer. Green Head has almost limitless options when it comes to exploring off shore reefs for waves but you do need a boat and experience in this sort of venture.
Green Head is a well known sailboarding destination along the WA coast thanks to the strong sea breeze that blows from December until February. Although popular amongst the windsurfing community it still remains relatively uncrowded. Sandboarding is another activity available, there are specific beaches to sandboard on where the sand erosion is not a problem.
The town site of Green Head is surrounded by nature reserves and a national park. Lesueur National Park covers 2700 hectares and is world renowned for its diversity of wild flowers. 1200 species have been identified but not surprisingly there are still over 300 species to be identified. The department of environment has improved the infrastructure by installing a bitumen loop road for the discovering and viewing of the unique flora and fauna. The best season to see the wildflowers in bloom is from August through until October
The warm Leeuwin current from the north brings with it tropical sea life, which swims with temperate species. This creates a very diverse diving environment offshore. Hard and soft corals, along with sponges, cover the numerous limestone reefs. Seagrass meadows and the absence of rivers flowing into the sea allows for very healthy conditions for marine life.
Dynamite Bay is a stunning, almost perfectly round bay in Green Head which is sheltered from the strong winds off the coast by a low lying rocky cliff that circles around the beach. Snorkelling, swimming and wind-surfing are popular activities in the area.[5]
South Bay is a long white sandy beach with absolutely crystal clear turquoise water, the perfect beach for the kids to burn some energy or to take a relaxing walk.
Point Louise is Green Head's main surf break but it is also a great spot for snorkelling as the water is very clear and there is more than enough reef to explore it all. A couple of minutes further north are numerous bays ideal for snorkelling, kayaking swimming and there are also plenty of picnic areas complete with the picnic table. A well maintained gravel road takes you through all these bays that were once dominated with shacks, built and used by holiday makers, but a number of issues forced the local shire to slowly clean up the area and now it is free of shacks. Nature has overtaken the area once again and proving to be a hit with the tourists who like to get off the beaten path.
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Cities, towns and localities in the Mid West region of Western Australia
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| Council Seats |
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| Geraldton suburbs |
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| Other towns, settlements and localities |
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