Collie main street

Collie WA 6225 (Pop 7 500)
Pic: by Sean Mack

Collie is an important rural town in WA’s South Western region situated on the pretty Collie River. Known as the ‘Power Centre of the West’ as it is the state’s old coalmining town, Collie is located 211 km south of Perth. After coal was discovered (1883), the railway followed (1895) and the new township was established and prospered.  Markets held 1^st & 3^rd Sun each month (exc. winter) Art & Craft Show (Feb), Collie-Donnybrook Cycle Race (Aug), Collie River Valley Marathon (Sept).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Coalfields Museum, Throssell St fascinating look at the town’s coalmining history with equipment, photographs and pioneering memorabilia. Steam Locomotive Museum, Throssell St excellent collection of restored locomotives. All Saints Anglican Church, Venn St superb Norman style church (1915).  

Nearby:
Minninup Pool (3 km south) swimming and canoeing in the widest part of the Collie River. Stockton Lake (8 km east) watersports and camping. Wellington NP (18 km west) 4 000 ha park of majestic jarra, marri and blackbutt forests. Highlight of the park is the Collie River Valley situated behind Wellington Dam. Numerous scenic walking trails with swimming, canoeing and camping at Potter’s Gorge and Honeymoon Pool.

Accommodation:
Collie has over half a dozen hotel/motels, a B&B and caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: 156 Throssell St. Tel (08) 9734 2051.

Airports:
Busselton Regional Airport (BQB), Vasse Hwy, Yalyalup. Tel (08) 9781 0444. (114 km s-w); Perth Airport (PER), 2 George Wiencke Drive, Perth Airport. Tel (08) 9478 8888. (207 km north).

Hospital:
Collie Hospital, Deakin St. Tel (08) 9735 1333.