| Lancelin Western Australia |
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Lancelin
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| Population: | 666 (2006 Census) [1] |
| Postcode: | 6044 |
| Elevation: | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Location: |
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| LGA: | Shire of Gingin |
| State District: | Moore |
| Federal Division: | Pearce |
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 (State Route 60), and a few kilometres from the start of the Indian Ocean Drive.
The area in which Lancelin is located is close to the shipwreck site of the Vergulde Draeck or Gilt Dragon that was wrecked on rocks close to shore in 1656.[2]
The town's name originates from Lancelin Island that is located nearby which was named after P.J. Lancelin the scientific writer by Captain Nicolas Baudin in 1801 as part of the Frenchman's expedition.[3]
The area was initially a holiday camping place through the 1940s and holiday shacks were probably built in the area during this time but interest in the area grew as it was designated as a possible port to be utilised by the crayfish, or lobster fishery.
Lancelin was gazetted in 1950 and was originally named "Wangaree", the Aboriginal word for fish. The area was renamed in 1953 after a request from the Gingin Road Board.[4]
The town has a permanent population of over 600, and swells to 2,500 during the peak holiday period around Christmas - New Year.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing are popular in the ocean off Lancelin, as are sandboarding and 4-wheel driving on the beaches and in the dunes behind the town.
On 29 June 1974, two sounding rockets for solar research during a solar total eclipse were launched from Lancelin.[5]
Lancelin Island Nature Reserve (500 metres off shore) is managed for the conservation of flora and fauna. The island is an important sanctuary for a variety of breeding seabirds, for several resident landbirds and lizards and for resting sea lions. A variety of marine, wading and land birds may be observed.