Geographe Bay facts for kids
Geographe Bay is a beautiful bay located in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's about 220 kilometers (137 miles) southwest of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. This bay is a popular spot for many fun activities and is known for its calm waters.
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Discovering Geographe Bay
Geographe Bay got its name in May 1801. A French explorer named Nicolas Baudin named it after his ship, the Géographe. The bay forms a wide curve along the coastline. It stretches from Cape Naturaliste past the towns of Dunsborough and Busselton. The bay ends close to the city of Bunbury.
Why the Bay is Calm
The bay is protected from the strong waves of the Indian Ocean by Cape Naturaliste. This cape was named after another French ship, the Naturaliste. Because it's so protected, Geographe Bay is a great place for people who enjoy boating and other water sports.
The Longest Jetty
Geographe Bay is quite shallow. This means very large ships have trouble entering. To help with this, the famous Busselton Jetty was built. This jetty is an amazing two kilometers (1.2 miles) long! It's actually the longest wooden jetty in the entire southern hemisphere.
Fun Things to Do
Geographe Bay offers many exciting activities for visitors.
Exploring Underwater
One unique attraction in the bay is a sunken ship. The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Swan was purposely sunk here on December 14, 1997. It now serves as a special place for scuba divers to explore underwater. It's like a giant underwater playground!
Watching Whales
The bay is also a fantastic place for whale watching. Many people come here to see these magnificent creatures. It's a great alternative to other whale-watching spots like Flinders Bay.
Catching Waves
If you love surfing, the north-west part of Geographe Bay has several excellent surf breaks. Surfers can find good waves to ride here.
Protecting the Bay
Scientists and researchers often study the rivers and streams that flow into Geographe Bay. They also study the bay itself. This research helps everyone understand and protect the environment of this beautiful area.
