Wellington Dam Mural – Our Ultimate Guide
Around 200 kilometres from Perth near the little mining town of Collie in Western Australia, the Wellington Dam Mural is located in Wellington National Park. Featuring 17,000 hectares of Jarrah, Marri, and Yarri forests, it’s a perfect location for a trip from Perth. Of course, the biggest drawcard of this region is the vast painted surface of the Wellington Dam – the largest dam mural in the world.
With a network of walking trails, picnic spots, and swimming holes throughout the Wellington National Park and the cute town of Collie also has a Mural Trail to check out, you might want a couple of days to tackle it all.
Located around 200 kilometres from Perth, inland from Bunbury and near the little mining town of Collie, the Wellington Dam Mural can be found in Wellington National Park.
About the Wellington Dam Mural
The Wellington Dam Mural put Collie on the map as a major tourist destination in Western Australia. Opened in February 2021, it features images of Collie mine workers, families playing in the water, Aboriginal children and other scenes and was inspired by local stories and photos.
Taking four months to complete, the 8,000 square metre Wellington Dam Mural was painted by internationally renowned artist Guido Van Helten. The scale is immense and the artwork’s colours were specifically mixed on-site to blend with the local granite and landscape. Titled Reflections the mural demonstrates the commonality of how waterways are culturally significant to all people and symbolises the future of the Collie River Region as a place of natural beauty and recreation.
Photos just don’t do it justice; it’s truly an incredible work of art. Best seen up close, people have been streaming to the dam and the lookout since the mural opened.
Tips for Visiting Wellington Dam Mural
Stop at the Kiosk at the Dam to pick up a free hiking map, and the full Collie Mural Trail. There’s a brand new large car park and great toilets. Open from Thursday to Sunday 9am-4pm it’s a nice spot to grab a coffee, local beer or wine, a cool drink or ice cream and order some lunch.
Visit the lookout for 360-degree breathtaking views across the calm waters of Wellington Dam, the mural and the picturesque valley and pipe runoff. You’ll also find information panels here about the artwork and the dam.
For a different view, drive to the bottom of the dam wall. Take Falcon Road, just before the Kiosk and park on the other side of the bridge. From here you can walk across the bridge and take photos from a lower perspective.
Exploring the Collie Mural Trail beyond the Dam
The Collie Mural Trail is an expansive outdoor art gallery, connecting Wellington Dam with Collie’s town centre. The trail tells stories about the Collie people and region. You’ll find a total of 40 murals on trail, all done by a diverse mix of Western Australian artists and creatives.
The Kiosk at the Dam offers free maps of the full Collie Mural Trail. The other murals wind throughout the coal mining town, adding flourishes of colour and telling more local stories.
Camping at Wellington Dam
Potters Gorge Campsite
Situated on the shore of Wellington Dam, Potters Gorge features 60 large campsites each with its own fire ring and picnic table in a shady Jarrah and Marri forest setting. This campsite also caters for small, medium, and large campervans or caravans. Many of the individual sites have their own tent pads making options easy whilst staying here. There is also a camp kitchen, drop point, gas barbecues, and a day-use area. Fees apply – current rates are $15 per adult, $9 concession, $3 child (5 – 16yrs) per night. If you don’t have your own camping gear, try a basic glamping experience at Potters Gorge with tents and comfy camp beds provided.
Honeymoon Pool Campsite
Located in the Wellington National Park, Honeymoon Pool Campsite is for tents or small campers only with 20 campsites nestled amongst the weeping peppermint trees on the banks of the Collie River, below Wellington Dam. It’s gorgeous and shady and there are some fire pits on the campgrounds, but don’t head to Honeymoon Pool without making a booking first! It’s extremely popular and is very busy during school holidays and long weekends. Fees apply – current rates are $15 per adult, $9 concession, $3 child (5 – 16yrs) per night. No pets are allowed in this area of the National Park.
For both campsites in the beautiful Wellington National Park must be booked online. Spots are in high demand on weekends and holidays, so to avoid disappointment, we recommend booking before travelling to the park.
What’s Nearby the Wellington Dam Mural
Gnomesville
When you tick this mega mural at Wellington Dam off your bucket list you might like to also visit Gnomesville whilst in the area. Read our guide to Gnomesville as a great add-on to your road trip plans – it’s a very quirky instagrammable destination!
Lake Clifton Thrombolites
Thrombolites are rock-like formations thought to be one of the first life forms on Earth dating back hundreds of millions of years. Found in only a few places in the world – you can see them right here in Western Australia at Lake Clifton!
Located at Yalgorup National Park, south of Mandurah which is just a short bypass on the way to Wellington Dam. Take Mount John Rd or Clifton Downs Rd – both are turn-offs from the Old Coast Road.
The Lake Clifton thrombolites are approximately 2,000 years old and the largest in the southern hemisphere. For the best views just take the path from the car park along the boardwalk. You’ll find information boards letting you know about the unique history along the path. The thrombolites are more exposed during the lower water levels of summer and autumn but can still easily be seen at other times. We suggest checking the tides and visiting when it’s low tide or they may be submerged.
Blue Lakes of Western Australia
Right near the little town of Collie is not one but TWO blue lakes. With white limestone cliffs and the most amazing bluest water, these lakes are abandoned mine sites. In the 1950s they were filled with water after being decommissioned and now are recreational lakes. Read our guide for everything you need to know about visiting Stockton Lake and Black Diamond Lake.
