Green Head, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green HeadWestern Australia |
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Dynamite Bay, Green Head, 2013.
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 Green Head
Location in Western Australia
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| Established | 1966 |
| Postcode(s) | 6514 |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Coorow |
| State electorate(s) | Moore |
| Federal Division(s) | Durack |
Green Head is a small coastal town in Western Australia. It's located between the cities of Geraldton and Perth, right on the Indian Ocean. This town is famous for its beautiful beaches and a relaxed holiday atmosphere. It used to be a big center for catching rock lobsters.
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Exploring Green Head's Past
The first Europeans to visit the Green Head coast were Dutch sailors in the 1600s. They were sailing to Indonesia for trade. Some Dutch ships were wrecked on the reefs of Western Australia. One famous wreck was the Vergulde Draeck (which means Gilt Dragon).
In 1658, a sailor named Abraham Leeman and his crew were searching for survivors of the Vergulde Draeck. Their small boat got stranded on Fishermans Island, just south of Green Head.
The town itself was named after a nearby headland in 1875. This name was given by Staff-Commander William Edwin Archdeacon. He was mapping the coast of Western Australia. The name "Green Head" simply describes the area. People started camping here in 1946. Because it was so popular, land was set aside for building homes in the 1950s. The town was officially recognized on January 7, 1966.
Fun Things to Do in Green Head
Green Head is a very popular spot for tourists. It offers many different places to stay.
Meet the Sea Lions
You can take a short boat trip off the coast to North Fishermans Island. This island is home to Australian sea lions! It has the second largest group of sea lions on the Mid West coast. There are usually between 40 and 80 sea lions there. You can even interact with these curious animals. This is done through special government-licensed boat tours.
Fishing and Boating Adventures
Green Head has many great spots for beach fishing. You might catch fish like whiting, herring, tailor, and skippy. There are two boat ramps in town. One is near the jetty in Anchorage Bay. The other is at South Bay for smaller boats. If you have a boat, you can catch many types of fish. You can also find local crayfish, which are also called rock lobsters.
Surfing and Wind Sports
Point Louise is the main surf spot in Green Head. It's great for beginners or longboarders when the waves are small. When the waves are bigger, it's better for more experienced surfers. There are also many other places to find waves offshore. However, you usually need a boat to reach them.
Green Head is also well-known for sailboarding. This is because of the strong sea breeze that blows from December to February. It's a popular spot for windsurfing, but it's usually not too crowded. Another fun activity is sandboarding. There are special beaches where you can sandboard without causing sand erosion.
Exploring Nature and Wildflowers
The town of Green Head is surrounded by nature reserves and a national park. Lesueur National Park is a large area known for its amazing variety of wild flowers. Over 1200 different types of plants have been found here. The best time to see the wildflowers blooming is from August to October. The park has a paved loop road. This makes it easy to explore the unique plants and animals.
The 3 Bays Walkway
There is a 2.5-kilometer walking trail called the "3 Bays Walkway." It connects three main bays: South Bay, Dynamite Bay, and Anchorage Bay. Along the trail, you'll find big limestone rock lookouts. These offer amazing views. There are also signs that share interesting facts about the area's history and local culture. The walkway is mostly made of concrete. This makes it easy for everyone to use, no matter their age or ability.
Green Head's Beautiful Beaches
The warm Leeuwin Current flows from the north. This current brings tropical sea life to the area. These warm-water species swim alongside cooler-water species. This creates a very diverse environment for diving offshore. The many limestone reefs are covered with hard and soft corals, as well as sponges. There are also many seagrass meadows. Because no rivers flow into the sea, the marine life here is very healthy.
Dynamite Bay
Dynamite Bay is a nearly circular bay in Green Head. It is protected from strong winds by low rocky cliffs. This makes it a great spot for snorkeling, swimming, and windsurfing.
South Bay
South Bay is a long beach with soft white sand. The water here is very clear and a beautiful turquoise color.
Point Louise
Point Louise is Green Head's main surf break. It's also a fantastic place for snorkeling. The water is very clear, and there's plenty of reef to explore. Further north, you'll find many other bays. These are perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and picnics. Many of these spots have picnic tables too.
A well-kept gravel road leads to these bays. These areas used to have many small shacks built by squatters in the 1950s. These shacks were removed in 1994. This allowed for the development of the coastal drive and new recreational sites near Green Head.
Anchorage Bay
Anchorage Bay is located between Dynamite Bay and Point Louise. This bay is home to the Anchorage Bay jetty. This jetty was once used by the Department of Transport for marine services and boat launching.
