Geraldton’s Shore Leave Festival begins with quality dinner and drink on the foreshore at The Helm hub

The 2023 Shore Leave Festival began in style at The Helm — the hub for festivities over the weekend. A big crowd turned out for the Thursday launch, full of families, children as well as VIPs and business people. A sunset drink and dinner of lobster, fish, calamari, ribs or other tasty meals were enjoyed, while performers The Melodics and Ian Weggler and Carly Markham provided the on-stage entertainment. Mid West businesses including Finlay’s Kalbarri, Skeetas and Burnt Barrell provided the night’s food and drinks as the festival promotes local delicacies. In attendance were City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn, Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton, Durack MHR Melissa Price and Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Roger Cook. Mr Cook said following all the attention on Exmouth and the Gascoyne for last month’s total solar eclipse, Shore Leave Festival was Geraldton’s “turn to shine in the spotlight”. “I am so excited to be in the Mid West for Shore Leave again this year,” he said. “The opening celebration last night was an amazing experience. “Last week the eyes of the world were on Exmouth and the regional towns such as Coral Bay, Onslow and Carnarvon. “But what we heard time and time again from tourists driving up the coast for the eclipse was how much they enjoyed seeing regional WA along the way. This included Geraldton.”