Painted across the vast surface of the Wellington Dam in Western Australia is the largest dam mural in the world. 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.
Featuring 17,000 hectares of Jarrah, Marri and Yarri forests, the National Park is a perfect day trip from Perth. Or with so much to do in the area, you might want a couple of days to tackle it all. With a network of walking trails throughout the park, picnic spots and swimming holes there’s a lot to be enjoyed.
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 has opened.
Top tips for visiting the Wellington Dam Mural
Stop at the Kiosk at the Dam to pick up a free hiking maps, 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.
Where to Stay
Potters Gorge features 55 large campsites, each with its own fire ring and picnic table situated on the shore of the Wellington Dam 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 it easy to have another option whilst staying here. There is also a camp kitchen, drop point, gas barbecues, and a day-use area. Fees apply – current rates are $15 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 is a tent only campsite with just 20 sites, right near the river. 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! Fees apply – current rates are $11 adult, $7 concession, $3 child (5 – 16yrs) per night. No pets are allowed in this area of the National Park.
Campsites at the beautiful Honeymoon Pool and Potters Gorge 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.
Why not tick this mega mural off your bucket list soon. And whilst in the area, check out our guide to Gnomesville as a great add on to your road trip plans – it’s a very quirky instagrammable destination!
