Collie is a regional mining town in the Southwest region of Western Australia. It takes around 2 hours of driving to get here from Perth, making it the ideal location for day trips or a weekend getaway. When we were first planning our camping trip here I honestly wondered what is there to do in Collie? During our stay we quickly realised that Collie has so much to offer and we never ran out of things to do. Although the town is small, there are plenty of outdoor activities and sights to see in the Collie River Valley.
What is there to do in Collie, Western Australia?
- Swim at Black Diamond Lake
- Hike in Wellington National Park
- Follow the scenic Lennard Drive
- Swim at Honeymoon Pool
- Coffee at Wagon 537
- Camp in the National Park
- Roast Marshmallows over a Campfire
- Go Fishing in the Collie River
- Relax at the Quarry Park
- Explore Wellington Dam
Swim at Black Diamond Lake, Collie
The Black Diamond Lake is the most visited attraction in Collie and a great destination for day trips from Perth. It is arguably the most popular thing to do in all of Collie and an Instagram hotspot in Western Australia’s Southwest! Formally a mine site, Black Diamond Lake attracts people with its stunning turquoise colour created by the limestone in the water.
It is a great place to soak up the sun and have a swim with your family. Pack a lunch and take a cute float to relax on in the water and take some photos with! Just be prepared, there are no toilets or amenities here, but there is plenty of natural shade.
Read More: Ultimate Guide to Black Diamond Lake
Hike in the Wellington National Park
Wellington National Park has many hiking tracks as well as cycling trails. Maps are available at the Visitors Center, or you can download them here. I suggest following the trail along the Collie River. It is easy to do with kids, but has plenty of stunning features to see.
Follow the Scenic Lennard Drive
Lennard Drive is a one way scenic route through the Wellington National Park. It begins at the bottom of the Dam wall, near the Kiosk by the Dam. The road is paved, so there is no need for a 4WD. Make sure you keep your eye out for the four stunning locations along this winding route. Each includes a small area where you can park your car and explore.
The Rapids: The first stop along Lennard Drive is The Rapids, a fast moving section of the Collie River. If you head right, past the toilet block, there is an area where you can swim or kayak with picnic tables so you can stay for some food.
Big Rock: At Big Rock there is a huge granite rock rising out of the water, a perfect spot to sit, have a picnic or simply take in the views.
Little Rock: A great spot if you are travelling with little kids, Little Rock has a gentle slope towards the water, with little pools of shallow water.
Long Pool: Long Pool is the perfect area to go for a swim. There is a platform and steps with a handrail leading into the clear water.
Lennard Drive ends with a right turn onto River Road, which crosses a bridge before heading towards Honeymoon Pool. You can continue along River Road to exit the National Park.
Swim at Honeymoon Pool
Honeymoon Pool is a popular campground located along the Collie River. It has a toilet block, picnic tables and areas for a campfire (be sure to check when fire bans apply). With a large deck that extends over the river and steps that provide easy access to the water, it is a great place for swimming and canoeing for families.
Have a Coffee at Wagon 537 in the Town of Collie
Wagon 537 is located at the park on Forest Street, in the Collie Town Centre. This historic railway wagon is open for breakfast and lunch, and serves delicious coffee from the Margaret River Roasting Co. Heading into the town of Collie was such a great way for our family to relax and enjoy a coffee and some food next to the conveniently located water playground.
Camp in Wellington National Park
One of the best ways to experience nature in Western Australia is to go camping in Collie! The Wellington National Park has plenty of affordable camping options, where you can wake up to the sound of running water, birds and wind in the trees. Your kids will love that they can run around and explore nature!
Honeymoon Pool: Honeymoon Pool is popular campground and swimming spot located along the Collie River. It is well equipped with flushing toilets, free gas, picnic tables and a fire pit per campsite. The campground is designed for tents only, but each site has an allocated parking space.
$15pp/per night
Gelcoat Rapids: Located alongside the Collie River, not far from Honeymoon Pool, Gelcoat Rapids is a much quieter campground. While you cannot park your car up next to your tent, the parking area is only a short distance from the campsites. The campground also has a toilet block, picnic benches and two fire pits to share with other campers.
$11pp/per night
Potters Gorge: Situated on the shore of the Wellington Dam, Potters Gorge is suitable for tents as well as campervans and caravans. It has flushing toilets and fire pits as well as a BBQ area, with picnic tables. If you have a boat, you can also go water skiing in a small section of Wellington Dam at Potters Gorge.
$15pp/per night
Prices may change and vary depending on the season, be sure to make your booking through the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
Read More: Tips for Camping with Your Baby
Roast Marshmallows Over a Campfire
Sitting around a campfire is one of my favourite things to do in Collie, especially when camping with my family. If you are camping with kids, they will love roasting marshmallows over the fire. If you are interested, you can even cook your sausages on a stick for dinner!
Note: Campfires must be kept in designated fire pits and are only permitted during the cooler months, which is usually between April and November. Be sure to check for current fire bans before starting a campfire.
Go Fishing on the Collie River
If you are interested in fishing, Collie is home to some great freshwater fish. Most of the thrill is in spotting the fish in the crystal clear water, and then trying to lure them out. It’s possible for you to catch brown trout, rainbow trout and redfin perch. Just remember redfin perch are an introduced species and considered a pest in Western Australia. Therefore, they may not be released back into the water. A simple spinner or hardbody lure cast toward submerged trees and rocks should be enough to give you hours of entertainment.
Relax at the Quarry Park
The Quarry is a large grassed area with BBQ’s and picnic tables near the Wellington Dam Wall. While the wall was being built, the quarry was used to mine granite rock. Now it is a stunning granite rock backdrop, a perfect place for kids to run around.
Explore Wellington Dam
Wellington Dam is a great place to go for a swim, hike or take in the views of the dam wall and Collie River Valley. The best access points are at Potters Gorge and at the Kiosk by the Dam.
Overall
There are plenty of family friendly things to do in Collie, Western Australia. From spending time by the river, camping, hiking and checking out the local attractions you will have plenty of options to experience the outdoors. I was so surprised by how much I loved visiting this small regional town. We never ran out of things to do in Collie and all the activities were great to do with kids! It is a great place to take your kids to spend time in nature, together as a family!
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