"Collie, Western Australia" Collie by robertgaz

Collie Travel Guide: 65 reviews and 139 photos

Wellington Dam

I've included my Wellington Dam pages under Collie as this is the closest town. You'll be disappointed if you're seeking tips on Collie because I don't have any. Collie is about 50 km's from Bunbury and is a coal mining town with the Collie Power Station and an alumina refinery nearby.

But about 10km's from Collie is the Wellington Dam which was built in the 1930's and now supplies water used for irrigation. It was once used for drinking water but it's too saline now to consider consuming it. I do suspect that much of this water used for irrigation is filtered through grapes so I probably do end up drinking it anyway!

And at the time of writing these pages the Wellington Dam is overflowing as a result of a very wet winter. It hasn't overflowed since '99 and then about 5 years prior to that.

During springtime around September to October there is also a profusion of wildflowers.

So let me share this irregular yet spectacular event with you.

Update 23/12/08 - added short video vlips of Wellington Dam overflowing in 2005

Wellington Dam from lookout

My cup runeth over...

The lookout sits over a valley with incredible views of the dam and gorge below. A short walk down from the lookout you can get close to the top of the dam wall.

Quarry

Quarry picnic & BBQ area

Near the Dam is an old quarry which is a very pleasant picnic area with free public BBQ facilities provided.

The quarry is also used regularly by abseilers to hone their jumping act

If the picnic area is too crowded you can always take a short drive to Honeymoon Pool
and find a quiet spot down by the river..

Last visit to Collie: Oct 2005
Intro Updated Dec 22, 2008
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Reviews (7)

Map of Collie Favorites (1)

Please click on the link for a map to help find your way around Collie more travel advice

Wildflowers of the Collie River Valley Things to Do (6)

And naturally no page is complete without flowers from the Wildflower State especially during the spring months of... more travel advice

Honeymoon Pool Things to Do (6)

Honeymoon Pool is a peaceful camping ground and picnic area a short drive from Wellington Dam. Facilities include... more travel advice

Quarry Things to Do (6)

A lot of the granite used in the construction of the Wellington Dam came from this quarry which is now a peaceful picnic... more travel advice

Comments (12)

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christine.j Jan 5, 2009 at 7:59 AM

The wildflowers are wonderful. I was laughing, underneath the advert for hotels in Collie there was one for a designer dog bouique.
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iandsmith Dec 22, 2006 at 3:57 AM

Nice stuff and, don't worry about Collie, sounds like a dog of town anyway!
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scottishvisitor Jul 20, 2006 at 2:28 PM

Hi Robert = such beautiful wildflowers & extaordinary scenery all around
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janetanne Jul 20, 2006 at 7:10 AM

Thanks for your 'always welcome' comments on my top of the crop page! But, you didn't notice (neither did I) that I had so astutely said that 'Thomas Edison' had invented the Model T!!! Must have been a night I was tasting the beer!heheh!
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tini58de Jul 8, 2006 at 1:19 PM

Wonderful scenery - thanks for sharing, Robert!
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Trekki Jun 24, 2006 at 3:30 AM

Beautiful wildflowers :-) Ah Robert, you should participate in the wildflower collection (see my HP album), these local wildflowers you show are just too good :-))
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bijo69 Jun 14, 2006 at 6:03 PM

That dam looks really big! Hope your winter isn't that wet this year!
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catalysta May 1, 2006 at 8:44 AM

Nice wildflower pics; this looks like a lovely spot to wander around for a day....W
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mizzzthanggg Apr 3, 2006 at 10:02 PM

well, i'll be dammed (ha) there's quite a bit to do in Collie, hey!
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pepples46 Feb 17, 2006 at 12:05 PM

actually, there is a lot of Water in WA and is managed well. superb pix