Ledge Point, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Ledge Point is a small coastal township 105 km north of Perth
, Western Australia
. It was established to service the local fishing and crayfishing industries.
The town's name originates from the nearby coastal feature of the same name, a series of rocky ledges on the point that was first described in an 1875 hydrographic survey. The Gingin Road Board requested that land be set aside in the area in 1937 for camping and recreation purposes. In 1952 there were three squatters'
shacks that had been built in the reserve and once a road was completed into the area in 1953 more people began to request land leases. The government decided to subdivide the area in 1954 and sell blocks for retirees and holiday housing. The town was gazetted in 1955.
The area is well known as a windsurfing
venue, and in January each year the prestigious Ledge Point to Lancelin
Windsurfing Classic draws competitors from around the world.
In 1963, divers discovered the wreck of the Dutch ship Vergulde Draeck
(Gilt Dragon) which sunk after striking a nearby reef on 28 April 1656. This was one of the earliest European ships to visit Australia. In 1972, a full expedition was mounted to systematically excavate the remains of the ship's cargo and fittings, but damage by looters had left little intact. Nevertheless, over several months a quantity of artefacts was recovered and which are now displayed at the Maritime Museums in Geraldton
and Fremantle
.
The area is also known for the wreck of a new oil rig, Key Biscayne, which toppled over in storms in 1983 around 10 nautical miles (18.5 km) offshore whilst under transport.
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. It was established to service the local fishing and crayfishing industries.
The town's name originates from the nearby coastal feature of the same name, a series of rocky ledges on the point that was first described in an 1875 hydrographic survey. The Gingin Road Board requested that land be set aside in the area in 1937 for camping and recreation purposes. In 1952 there were three squatters'
Squatting
Squatting consists of occupying an abandoned or unoccupied space or building, usually residential, that the squatter does not own, rent or otherwise have permission to use....
shacks that had been built in the reserve and once a road was completed into the area in 1953 more people began to request land leases. The government decided to subdivide the area in 1954 and sell blocks for retirees and holiday housing. The town was gazetted in 1955.
The area is well known as a windsurfing
Windsurfing
Windsurfing or sailboarding is a surface water sport that combines elements of surfing and sailing. It consists of a board usually two to four metres long, powered by the orthogonal effect of the wind on a sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating universal joint and comprises a...
venue, and in January each year the prestigious Ledge Point to Lancelin
Lancelin, Western Australia
Lancelin is a small fishing and tourist town 110 km north of Perth, Western Australia. It is located in the Shire of Gingin at the end of Wanneroo Road , and a few kilometres from the start of the Indian Ocean Drive....
Windsurfing Classic draws competitors from around the world.
In 1963, divers discovered the wreck of the Dutch ship Vergulde Draeck
Vergulde Draeck
The Vergulde Draeck was a Dutch East India Company ship of the seventeenth century. She sailed from Texel bound for Batavia , under Pieter Albertsz and was carrying trade goods and eight chests of silver worth 78,6000 guilders...
(Gilt Dragon) which sunk after striking a nearby reef on 28 April 1656. This was one of the earliest European ships to visit Australia. In 1972, a full expedition was mounted to systematically excavate the remains of the ship's cargo and fittings, but damage by looters had left little intact. Nevertheless, over several months a quantity of artefacts was recovered and which are now displayed at the Maritime Museums in Geraldton
Geraldton, Western Australia
Geraldton is a city and port in Western Australia located north of Perth in the Mid West region. Geraldton has an estimated population at June 2010 of 36,958...
and Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
.
The area is also known for the wreck of a new oil rig, Key Biscayne, which toppled over in storms in 1983 around 10 nautical miles (18.5 km) offshore whilst under transport.