We got lucky with our choice of places to sit out our Covid19 lockdown, as we shared earlier we planned to go to Perth so Galen could get some dental work done, but that was cancelled while we were on the road and we made the call to stay in Geraldton to sit this thing out. What a great call it was too.
We settled into the caravan park, right on a beach, not the worlds best beach, but a beach with a sunset view every night. After a couple of days we were able to move to a site right in front of the tent area, which meant the kids had a huge grass field to play in and we had unobstructed views of the beach and sunset.
Geraldton was big enough that it had everything we needed, doctors (we all got our flu vaccinations and the kids had some top up vaccinations), supermarkets (Woolworths, Coles and Aldi), essential shops (Target, Spotlight, Bunnings and BCF). I also managed to get some some replacement prescription sunglasses (as mine got washed off in the surf). There were restaurants and cafes offering take away service and we managed to get the car serviced. People were super friendly and we made some good friends at the caravan park.
The first two weeks were essentially spent at the park, with the occasional essential trips for groceries. We got into a routine of sorts, a few walks along the beach, the occasional swim when the seaweed wasn't too bad and the surf wasn't pounding into the shore. We caught up on a heap of learning, read books, played with lego, practised our football, built things with littlebits and makedo, grew plants and cooked food. Tanya taught herself to crochet and made a blanket for us and is now working on the kids blankets.
After the first two weeks restrictions started to slowly lift, we could visit other beaches, have picnic (or take away) lunches, visit the doctors for vaccinations (the kids were happy to have a day out not to happy to have the jabs) and do a little bit more.
After the first two weeks restrictions started to slowly lift, we could visit other beaches, have picnic (or take away) lunches, visit the doctors for vaccinations (the kids were happy to have a day out not to happy to have the jabs) and do a little bit more.
As the weeks passed more restrictions were lifted and we could do more and more around Geraldton, day trips to Ellendale Pool, Horrocks, Coronation beach and Cape Burney. We explored some of the sights around town and even learn't how to standup paddleboard courtesy of some other travellers who we befriended in the caravan park.
Once dental surgery started again, we got permission to travel to Perth where we spent four days in an excellent AirBnB in Fremantle, Galen got his work done, we did some shopping (Geraldton didn't have a Dan Murphy's or Big W), explored the beaches and just enjoyed being in a house for four days.
The Sunday morning we left Perth, the Premier announced changes to internal WA travel restrictions, which meant we could start moving again and see some of the things we had planned. Instantly we booked Cape Range National park, which was one of the bookings we had to cancel and mapped out how we would get back to Townsville for Arlo's birthday.
All in all Geraldton (and Western Australia) was a pretty good place to sit out our lockdown. The people were friendly, the weather was kind (it is always windy in Geraldton), we found routine and managed to keep active and sane. While I am not sure I would ever come back to Gerro to live it will always have a special place in our heart.
Next we start moving north, exploring new places, revisiting some that we didn't do justice the first time round and continue our DerryGoRound.
Here's to you Geraldton.