Gascoyne | |
|---|---|
 Extent of Gascoyne region | |
  Gascoyne | |
| Coordinates:22°S115°E / 22°S 115°E /-22; 115 | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Western Australia |
| LGAs | |
| Government | |
| • State electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Area | |
• Total | 135,073.8 km2 (52,152.3 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 9,277 (2019)[1] |
| • Density | 0.068681/km2 (0.177883/sq mi) |
TheGascoyne region is one of the nineregions of Western Australia. It is located in the northwest ofWestern Australia, and consists of thelocal government areas ofCarnarvon,Exmouth,Shark Bay andUpper Gascoyne. The Gascoyne has about 600 kilometres (370 mi) ofIndian Ocean coastline; extends inland about 500 kilometres (310 mi); and has an area of 135,073.8 square kilometres (52,152.3 sq mi),[1] including islands.
The Gascoyne has the lowest population of any region of Western Australia, with about 9,277 people.[1] The majority of residents are non-Aboriginal people born in Australia (74%). Just over half live inCarnarvon (4,426) where Aboriginal residents account for 18% of the population. Other centres areExmouth,Denham,Gascoyne Junction andCoral Bay.[2]
The Gascoyne has a moderate arid tropical, climate. It is generally warm all year round, with mean maximum daily temperatures ranging from 22 °C (72 °F) in July to 35 °C (95 °F) in January. The region receives about 320 days of sunshine per year. Annual rainfall is low and variable, averaging about 200 mm (8 in), most of which occurs as a result of cyclonic activity. Because of the semi-arid climate, most of the Gascoyne is covered in scrub, primarilyspinifex andmulga, with very little tree cover.[3]
Horticulture is the major industry of the Gascoyne region. Bananas, tomatoes, grapefruit, mangoes, table grapes and a range of vegetable products are grown along theGascoyne River. Climatic advantages enable the growers to meet out-of-season demand both locally and in export markets.[2]
Fishing is also a major industry with prawn, scallop, crab and wet line fishing operations based in Carnarvon and Exmouth. In the mining sector, salt and gypsum are mined atLake MacLeod, north of Carnarvon.[2]
Tourism is an important industry, due to the warm dry climate and the long coastline, which includes theNingaloo Reef and theShark Bay World Heritage Site.[3]
The pastoral industry was historically important but is no longer a major contributor to the economy. It represents the region's main land use: in 1994 84% of the Gascoyne's land area was covered bypastoral leases.[3]
Before being settled by Europeans, the Gascoyne had been home toIndigenous Australians for thousands of years.[specify] The first known European to land in the region wasDirk Hartog in 1616; other early visitors includeWillem Jansz,William Dampier,Nicolas Baudin, andPhillip King.[3]
In September 1834 the presence of pearl shell andguano were noted by Thomas Hunt of theschoonerMonkey, while searching for the wreck of thebarqueMercury.Shark Bay became the site ofAustralia's firstpearling industry when production ofmother-of-pearl began in January 1850.[4]
In 1839,George Grey explored the area and named theGascoyne River after Captain John Gascoyne RN, son ofBamber Gascoyne, a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty.[5] Captain Gascoyne was a committee member of the London-basedWestern Australian Missionary Society and a member of theLondon Association for the Protection of the Interests of the Colony.[6]
In 1858Francis Gregory explored the region and subsequently publicized it as highly suitable topastoralism. Settlement began in the 1860s, and the town ofCarnarvon was gazetted in 1883.[3]
By 1880 the area was home to approximately 20,000 sheep on a number ofsheep stations in the area.[7]
In 2021, four-year old girlCleo Smith was abducted and later found inCarnarvon.
Media from Commons
Travel guides from Wikivoyage
