Gracetown, Western Australia
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Gracetown Western Australia |
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 Gracetown
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| Coordinates | 33°52′S 114°59′E / 33.87°S 114.99°ECoordinates: 33°52′S 114°59′E / 33.87°S 114.99°E |
| Population | 323 (2006 census) |
| Established | 1963 |
| Postcode(s) | 6284 |
| Elevation | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Augusta-Margaret River |
| State electorate(s) | Vasse |
| Federal Division(s) | Forrest |
Gracetown is a small town in Western Australia. It is located 269 kilometres (167 mi) south of the Perth central business district, and 21.5 kilometres (13.4 mi) north-west of the township of Margaret River in the Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council area on the coast at Cowaramup Bay.
The area was initially used as a holiday area and later in 1957 it was proposed that the area should be developed as a camping and caravan park. Instead the government decided that the area would be developed as a townsite. The area was surveyed in 1961 and the bulk of the townsite was planned. Sale of lots within the townsite occurred in 1963, the same year the town was gazetted.
It was named in honour of local Western Australian heroine Grace Bussell.
The Cape to Cape Track runs across the beach to the west of the town and is one of the few towns located along the track.
There is a general store located in the town that provides a variety of goods and limited services. There are many holiday homes within the town that are available to rent all year round.
The town is well known for its many surfing spots. North Point is a powerful break that provides good tube rides for surfers. South Point is popular because it works well when the breeze is onshore and Huzzas, in the middle of the bay, is a less powerful wave that is popular whenever it breaks. The main beach area, located in the bay, is an easily accessible swimming beach suitable for families with small children. Close to Gracetown are several other excellent surfing locations. The Cowaramup Bombora ("Cow Bombie") surf break, location of 2011 and 2015 Oakley Big Wave award-winning rides, is 2 km offshore west of Gracetown.
In 1996 a tragedy occurred on the local beach close to town when five adults and four children were killed in a cliff collapse while watching a surfing carnival. The victims were sheltering underneath a rock overhang at the base of the limestone cliff during a rain storm when the cliff collapsed without warning.
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