Things To Do in Collie WA
I’ve lived in WA for over 20 years, and Dave was born here, so we’ve spent many years exploring our state, including the town of Collie.
This guide includes the top things to do in Collie Western Australia, like camping, hiking, and swimming in Honeymoon Pool. Collie is becoming one of the top destinations in Western Australia’s South West – read more to find out why.
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Top 16 Attractions & Things to do in Collie WA
Looking for ideas on what to do in Collie? These are some of the attractions and activities we have done on our trips there.
1. Follow the scenic Lennard Drive
Lennard Drive is a single-way scenic road through Wellington National Park. It starts at Wellington Dam near the kiosk beside the dam. The first stop is The Rapids, a fast-moving part of the Collie River.
At Big Rock, stop for a picnic or a swim in the calm water.
Following the river, you will arrive at Little Rock. A path will lead you to the picnic area and the water. The sloping granite banks are gentler, and the water is slow, pooling at the shallow part and then cascading over rocks into a deeper pool.
The last stop along the drive is Long Pool. This hidden swimming spot can’t be seen from the road, but it is signposted. You can access Long Pool from a wooden deck by the picnic area.
Turning right into River Road at the T junction at the end of Lennard Drive takes you over a bridge and into Honeymoon Pool. Continue on River Road back onto Wellington Dam Road and exit the National Park.
Lennard Drive is sealed but unsuitable for caravans, motor homes, and cars towing trailers due to the windy bends.
2. Hike in Wellington National Park
Wellington National Park has 17,000 ha of unique eucalypt forests of jarrah, marri, and Karri (blackbutt) with around 70 species of birds. During spring, the wildflowers bloom with more than 300 colourful plants.
The park has numerous walking and bicycle trails, offering a variety of experiences depending on your fitness level. Maps are available in the Visitor Center or download here.
If you’d prefer to be part of a guided hike, Off the Beaten Track have a great full-day 12 km hike alongside the Collie River from Wellington Dam to Honeymoon Pool, suitable for intermediate hikers.
Find out more direct with Off the Beaten Track here.
Jabitj (running water) walk trail – 12 km return
This hiking trail runs between Honeymoon Pool along the Collie River to the kiosk through forest, granite outcrops, pools, and rapids. It would be best if you allowed two to three hours each way.
Kurliiny Tjenangitj (come and see) walk trail – 9.5 km loop
After a steep climb, you are rewarded with stunning views of the Collie River and forest. For a shorter walk, it’s a 5 km return from Honeymoon Pool to the lookout.
Sika dual-use trail – 9.8 km loop
This walking and cycling trail starts at the kiosk and heads north through jarrah forest with views over the Collie Valley. The pool at Potters Gorge is a lovely place to stop with its good swimming and picnic areas.
Munda Biddi cycle trail
This long-distance cycle trail goes from Perth to Albany, passing through Wellington National Park.
Wiilman Bilya Trail – 20 km walk trail
This walking trail extends from Wellington Dam to the Coalfields Highway through impressive blackbutt and jarrah forest and past granite outcrops. You should expect a full-day walk in either direction, with the option to camp overnight at Nyingarn campsite or Potters Gorge.
3. Swim at Honeymoon Pool
Honeymoon Pool, part of Wellington National Park, is shaded by a canopy of peppermint trees. A large wooden deck extends out through the river offering easy access into the water. In the summer, it is the perfect place to cool down (be warned, the water is ice cold!)
4. See the mural at Wellington Dam
Please note that the vehicle and pedestrian bridge at the bottom of the mural is closed due to a planned upgrade. Work is expected to be completed by 2023/24, but you can find up-to-date information from the Water Corporation.
Wellington Dam is one of the most impressive dams in Australia, thanks to the 8,000 sqm mural that covers the wall. World-renowned Australian artist, Guido Van Helten, completed the work in February 2021, which is believed to be the world’s biggest dam mural. The murals are called reflections and are inspired by local stories and photographs.
You can view it from the bottom or above from the lookout. I recommend doing both to see it from different perspectives.
Photos don’t do it justice; it is an incredible work of art on a vast scale. Don’t visit the Collie River Valley region without seeing this mural.
Kiosk At The Dam is now licensed and offers locally produced craft brew and wine alongside its seasonal menu.
5. Relax at The Quarry
The quarry is a large grassed area with barbecues and picnic tables along Wellington Dam Wall. The quarry was formed during the construction of the wall when material was required. Now the granite face backdrop is the perfect place for children to run around and for picnics.
6. Swim at Black Diamond Lake Collie
Black Diamond Lake is arguably one of the most popular things to do in Collie and an Instagram hotspot. This lake was originally a mine site but now attracts people due to its stunning turquoise colour (best when sunny).
7. Kayak at Stockton Lake
Stockton Lake is another old open-cut mine converted into an artificial lake. The calm waters are perfect to swim and kayak and are also popular for boating and water skiing.
While swimming is allowed, you swim at your own risk as the water is mildly acidic due to past mining. Water can suddenly become very deep and freezing, and submerged rocks are a hazard, so don’t dive or jump in.
Dogs are allowed here but must be kept on a lead.
8. Visit Minninup Pool
Minninup pool is used for cooling off during the summer, fishing, and canoeing. It’s also popular with photographers capturing the beauty of the place, especially on those cold winter mornings.
Picnic tables and toilet facilities are available here.
9. Fish or waterski at Lake Kepwari
Another former mine site, now filled with water from the Collie River, Lake Kepwari, is ideal for water activities and lakeside camping. There’s a designated waterski area on the lake and a boat ramp.
You can fish here but check the fishing season with the Department of Fisheries.
Lake Kepwari is dog-friendly, but they must be kept on a lead.
New campsites are now open as part of a WA government upgrade. The David Ugle campground on the northern side of the lake has 32 sites, and the Mick Murray campground on the east side has 21. There are also new picnic areas, paths, shelters, and toilets.
10. Mountain Biking
Collie is fast becoming the top ‘Trip Adventure Town’ in WA thanks to its A$10 million Collie Adventure Trail project, offering world-class mountain bike and walk trails through stunning landscapes. There are more than twenty trails for beginners and pros, with new tracks being added.
You can hire a bike from the kiosk near the dam.
11. Replica Underground Coal Mine
Collie, founded in 1897 after coal was discovered along the Collie River in 1883, opened its first coal mine in 1927. Visit the Replica Underground Coal Mine at the Collie Visitor Centre, then cross the road to the Coalfields Museum.
While at the Visitors Centre, pick up maps and brochures for the area and stop to view the locomotives (free of charge).
12. Coffee from Wagon 537 & Waterspray Park
Wagon 537 is a pop-up coffee shop in a heritage train wagon, popular among travellers and locals. They serve delicious food and drink, including Margaret River Roasting coffee, milkshakes, cold-pressed juices, hot chips, sandwiches, wraps, bagels, hamburgers and cakes.
If you’re here during the summer, Waterspray Park is close by and perfect for the family to relax.
13. Glen Mervyn Dam
Glen Mervyn Dam is 18 km south of Collie town and is a popular spot for waterskiing, swimming, and fishing. You can camp on the western side via a narrow unsealed track, which is not designed for towing caravans. It is dog-friendly, but they must be kept on a lead (fox baiting occurs nearby, and the baits are highly toxic to pets).
14. Rail Heritage Centre
The Rail Heritage Centre was closed when we visited as it’s not open on weekends. We walked over the railway bridge and could view the old railway station but couldn’t access it.
15. Goods Sheds Markets
If you like to browse markets, this one is held fortnightly on a Sunday in the Old Goods Shed on Forrest Street. The historical building is where steam trains would unload their cargo – look up to see the huge jarrah beams.
Stalls change, but you can expect a range of candles, pre-loved goods, homemade cakes, fresh produce, and arts and crafts.
16. Collie Art Gallery
134 Throssell Street
This small gallery exhibits artworks from renowned Australian artists, including Norman Lindsay, Guy Grey Smith, Elizabeth Durack, and Arthur Boyd (senior).
Open Thursday to Monday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Dog-Friendly Walks in Collie
1. Karak Trail 3.5 km
The Karak Trail starts near the Collie Cemetery and winds through the forest to end in Allanson. You’ll enjoy the walk through jarrah, marri, and paperbark trees. Look out for the red-tailed cockatoo that the walk is named after (the local Aboriginal word).
2. Timber Park
Timber Park is a dog agility park with a range of obstacles for your dog. However, dogs are required to be on a lead.
3. Collie River Walk 10 km
Park at the Soldiers Memorial Park and embark on this picturesque trail that follows the Collie River. There are picnic sites along the way and this cool swinging suspension bridge.
Where to Eat & Drink in Collie
The Federal Hotel, or the Feddy as it’s known, is a heritage-style hotel that offers great food and friendly service.
8 Thai Ladies is highly recommended for their authentic cuisine and bulletproof coffees.
Head to Harris River Estate Winery for wine tasting and lunch at their Cellar Door restaurant. Relax on the balcony with a shared platter and a bottle of their wine, looking out over the beautiful dam and vineyard. If you don’t like wine, don’t worry, they also have a microbrewery and a small range of Australian botanical-infused gins.
Collie WA Accommodation
Glen Mervyn Lodge
We stayed at Glen Mervyn Lodge, private accommodation just south of Collie, near the Glen Mervyn dam. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this renovated farmhouse.
Red Tail Retreat
Try Red Tail Retreat, a luxury, fully self-contained accommodation in the North of Collie, for modern comforts. The rooms contain a full kitchen with a dishwasher, coffee machine, washing machine, microwave, fridge, and cooktop/oven.
Rating: 9.8 with over 50 reviews, including this one “The best B&B we every stayed in and we have travelled the world.”
Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast is a highly-rated B&B that offers four rooms, all with ensuite. The Treetop room adds a bit of romance with its four-poster bed, with a balcony in the treetops overlooking the garden.
Rating: 8.9 with over 360 reviews.
Collie also has three great motels that receive excellent reviews:
Camping in the Collie River Valley region
Wellington National Park offers bush camping close to Collie.
Potters Gorge has lakeside camping for caravans, camper trailers, campervans and tents. There are no-flush pit toilets, free gas BBQs, picnic tables, and fire pits (only to be used seasonally).
Honeymoon Pool is well equipped with flushing toilets, free gas BBQs, picnic tables, and a fire pit per camping site. Tents only.
Stones Brook at Honeymoon Pool has flushing toilets, free gas BBQs, and picnic tables. Tents only.
Gelcoat Rapids is a quieter camping site offering no-flush pit toilets, picnic tables, and a campfire (seasonally). Tents only.
You can book directly with the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
Stockton Lake campground has toilets with universal access, and camp fires are allowed seasonally in the designated concrete fire rings provided. It doesn’t need reserving and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where is Collie WA?
Collie is a regional mining town in Western Australia. It’s about a two-hour drive from Perth, making it an ideal destination for day trips or a weekend getaway.
How to get from Perth to Collie
International and domestic visitors will fly into Perth Airport.
Car Hire – To compare rental car company prices, I use Discover Cars, an award-winning car rental comparison website. They offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations worldwide and are have a high rate of customer satisfaction.
Tip: The earlier car rentals are booked, the cheaper it is with more choice of vehicles.
Perth to Collie by car
The quickest way to get to Collie from Perth is by car, which will take about two and a half hours.
Perth to Collie by bus
TransWA runs coach services between East Perth and Pemberton, stopping in Collie, which takes around 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Collie to Margaret River
Looking to carry on your trip to Margaret River? From Collie, it is about 150 km and a two hour drive, via Bussell Hwy/State Route 10.
Collie Weather & Forecast
January is the driest month, while July is the wettest.
January is also the warmest month, with an average max temperature of around 30 °C and a minimum of 13°C.
The coldest month in Collie is July, with an average maximum of 15°C and a low of 4°C.
If you want to swim in the pools, summer is the best time to visit Collie. However, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn can be a lovely time of year with sunny days and cooler nights. Don’t write winter off either, as it can be nice to cuddle up in front of a wood fire or curl up in bed with an electric blanket while spending your days hiking or mountain biking.
See the Bureau of Met for an up-to-date 7-day forecast in Collie.
Swimming information for the pools
The Department of Health provides helpful tips for swimming in Western Australia’s rivers, estuaries, lakes, dams and beaches. Please read the information before swimming in one of the pools near Collie. The Department of Parks and Wildlife also offers advice, some of which is common sense, but other points are worth noting.
Collie Name
The town was named after Dr Alexander Collie, a surgeon aboard the HMS Sulphur, who discovered the river in 1829.
Collie Australia History
We recognise and acknowledge the Noongar people as the traditional custodians of the Collie River Valley and recognise their elders, past, present and emerging.
The mining industry of Collie, Australia, is steeped in a rich history that dates back to the 1800s, when George Marsh (a shepherd employed by Arthur Perrin) discovered coal along the Collie River in 1883. Six years later, Perrin announced the find and took out a coal mining lease. Collie Commercial Coal Mining Company was formed the following year.
The state government announced on 14 June 2022 that Synergy would close Muja Power Station (opened in 1966) by 2029 and Collie Power Station by 2027.
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