Sightseeing on the way to Geraldton
The forecast was looking favourable today and I had some time up my sleeve before the strong afternoon gusts were due to start, so I took the time to enjoy my trip around the WA coast, flying out of Geraldton and across Shark Bay. It’s a spot that was highly recommended to me by others, both local and from around, as a site to see from the air.
A low tide allowed me to track out west, and I flew low over the coast- keeping the mud flats and sand on my left side and the reefs just below the low water on my right. It was gorgeously aqua and clear, and whilst I didn’t see any sharks at Shark Bay, I did get to enjoy the wonderful scenery, taking the time to track along Peron Point as well.
Unfortunately, fuel tanks aren’t bottomless and with a stronger headwind coming in to Geraldton, I had to re-intercept a southerly track, although I could have spent all day flying around the tiny islands that dot the bay, and the lagoons and inlets.
There was cloud coming into Geraldton, however by following a low route along the coast I placed myself below it anyways, only needing to track inland for the final part of my approach. On the ground, I was greeted by the wonderful Wendy Mann, an Australian Women Pilot’s Association member who had offered me a place to stay for the night. After refuelling and chocking NCO, Wendy took me for a drive to explore Geraldton. We saw the old cathedral, drove along the beach where some Ospreys were nesting, and I got to check out the port- I can’t believe how much grain and metals are processed there!
The highlight for me is when we saw the memorial to the HMAS Sydney II on the hill. On the 19th of November 1941 she was sunk in a mutually destructive engagement with the German cruiser Kormoran, off the coast of Shark Bay where I had been flying that morning. As someone with both a passion and deep respect for history and the sacrifices of those who came before us, it was an honour to visit a touching memorial. It’s a wonderfully constructed site with significant symbolism behind it.
