Special Sub-Topic: Aussie G's in Geography Authored by: Engadine Sub-topic of: Australian Alphabetics

This scenic coastal town is on the south coast of New South Wales, in the Illawarra District. Can you name this town?

Gerringong. Gerringong, an aboriginal word meaning 'place of peril' is just 11 km south of Kiama and 126 km south of Sydney. A dairy farming area with the best beach, Werri Beach, is great for surfers and swimmers alike.

If you travel via the Brand Highway, approximately 424 km north of Perth, in Western Australia, where will you be?

Geraldton. With eight hours of sunshine a day, Geraldton is a seaside paradise with the largest lobster fleet in Western Australia. During the 1850's, 1000 aborigines died in the area, most were massacred but several hundred died from measles!

We're in far north west New South Wales, in a tiny town, not far from Capeen. Where are we?

Gravesend. Just up the road from Upper Duck Creek and not far from Capeen, the red dust of Gravesend, fondly called 'Tombstone', seeps through every crack and crevice! There's nothing really there, aside from the emu, yabbies and the red, red dust.

In the southern downs of Queensland, near the New South Wales border, this town is famous within horse racing circles. Can you name this town?

Goondoowindi. On the banks of the Macintyre River, Goondoowindi was home to 'Gunsynd', the 'Goondoowindi Grey', a popular and successful galloper in the late 1960's and early 70's - he came third in the 1972 Melbourne Cup.

We're 220 km north east of Melbourne and this is where Ned Kelly was captured in the late 1800's. Where are we?

Glenrowan. There's a six metre tall statue of Ned Kelly in the main street of Glenrowan and 'Kellyland' is a highlight of any visit there, recreating the last stand, capture and the execution of Ned himself (even though he was actually hung at the Old Melbourne Gaol, as it is now known)!

On the Castlereagh Highway and beside the Castlereagh River in cental western New South Wales is this small town. What is its name?

Gulargambone. A farming and grazing area, the village of Gulargambone came into being in 1883. There's an old steam train in Memorial Park on the banks of the Castlereagh and there's a crayfish farm up a dirt road at the western end of town, that produces over a million yabbies a year!

We're in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in the Northern Territory, 630 km (flying distance) east of Darwin. Where are we?

Groote Eylandt. Groote Eylandt means 'Big Island' in Dutch as this island was first sighted in 1623 from the Dutch ship 'Arnhem'. However, it wasn't named until Abel Tasman sailed past in 1644. You need permission to visit Groote Eylandt as it is Aboriginal land.

On the south western slopes of New South Wales, where the dog still sits on the 'Tucker Box'. What town is this?

Gundagai. On the Murrumbidgee River, just off the Hume Highway, 387 km south west of Sydney is Gundagai. The town supposedly derived its name from the Aboriginal word 'gundabandoobingee' and the bushranger Captain Moonlite was tried there after a hold up at Wagga Wagga.

In the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, not far from the 'Ginger Capital of Australia' is this town. Which town is it?

Gympie. In 1867 gold was discovered not far from where Gympie is today and it was, for a short time, known as Nashville after John Nash who discovered the gold there. Gympie is the centre of a rich cattle and pig farming area known as the Mary River Valley.

We're 209 km north of Adelaide, in a wheat growing and sheep farming area of South Australia. Where are we?

Gladstone. Gladstone boasts the largest grain silos in South Australia! In 1871 the town was named after the British Prime Minister, William Gladstone. C J Dennis, a well-known Australian poet, lived in Gladstone as a child.

We're in the Apple Isle, 155km from Launceston, in the north east of Tasmania. Where are we?

Gould's Country. A town with every building built entirely out of wood, Gould's Country is a pristine example of early Tasmanian settlement. Settled in 1860, it was originally called Kunnarra.

We're back on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, first seen by Captain Cook in 1770. Where are we?

Glass House Mountains. On 17 May 1770, Captain Cook wrote, "These hills lie but a little way inland, and not far from each other; they are remarkable for the singular form of their elevation, which very much resembles a glass house, and for this reason I called them the Glass Houses."

In the desert on the Stuart Highway between Coober Pedy and Port Augusta in South Australia lies this little roadside town. What's its name?

Glendambo. Glendambo is the only town for over 250 km before you reach Coober Pedy! Five hundred and ninety two km from Adelaide, it's nothing but a stopover for those travelling north.

North of Sydney, on the New England Highway in New South Wales, is a pretty little town called what?

Greta. Situated between Maitland and Singleton in the beautiful Hunter Valley is Greta, a small community that began in the 1830's. There are quite a few historic buildings in the town including the Tattersall's Hotel.

In the Grampians area of Victoria, we're 366 km north west of Melbourne. What town are we in?

Goroke. From the Aboriginal for 'magpie', Goroke was established in 1882 and today is a farming area with a rail link that was finished in 1894. Not far away is Lake Charlegrark, great for catching Murray cod and yabbying and Lake Bringalbert is popular with water skiers.