Category: Swimming

All the Best Swimming Spots in the Collie River Valley

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Collie is home to some truly unique swimming spots, including several spectacular river pools, the amazing Blue Lakes and the famous Honeymoon Pool.

Stockton Lake

Spectacular to look at, Stockton Lake can be found just 10 km out of Collie on Piavaninni Rd, off Coalfields Hwy. 

Little Rock

Little Rock is ideal for families with younger children as there is a large shallow pool for them to explore and splash around in while the grown ups are just an arms length away.

You will find Little Rock on Lennard Drive in Wellington National Park. Follow the signs from the Kiosk at the Dam to Honeymoon Pool and watch out for the Little Rock sign.

Long Pool 

Long Pool is also located on Lennard Drive, Wellington National Park and is the perfect spot to cool off on a hot summers day. The waters are refreshingly cool all year round.

Picnic tables are provided and don’t forget to send us that selfie taken on the steps.

Sandy

You will find this perfect yellow sand beach just around the bend, downstream, from Minninup Pool, only five minutes from town on Mungalup Rd. Turn off at Caltex on Throssel St..

If you have 4WD you can park right on the waters edge, otherwise there is some parking on the edge of the track about 20-30m away.

Pets are welcome, but please clean up after them!

Honeymoon Pool

Nestled beneath a fringe of weeping Peppermint trees, Honeymoon Pool is the heart of the Wellington National Park. 

Honeymoon Pool is perfect for all ages. There is a shallow section where littlies can play and splash and a deeper section for swimming and a bombie off the deck if you dare!

Minninup Pool

Minninup Pool is only a definite favourite with locals. Only three km from town, on Mungalup Rd, off Throssell St. The river widens out at this point forming a wide deep pool ideal for swimming and picnics on the banks

Black Diamond

Black Diamond needs no introduction. The magic blue water attracts hundreds of visitors every year. Please remember it is a day use area only, no camping, public toilets are in Allanson (no using the bush) and respect the privacy of the people who live around the lake, because they actually own half of it!

Lennard Drive, Wellington National Park

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Lennard Drive is a one way road, following the river down stream from the Wellington Dam and offers some stunning scenery and four great picnic/swimming spots along the way.

From the Kiosk, head down below the dam and across the river following the signs towards Honeymoon Pool. Look out for Lennard Drive on the right. Each spot is well sign posted and easy to find. Lennard Dr is sealed all the way.

The last flushing toilet is located at the Kiosk at the Dam so consider a pit stop before heading off. There is one long drop at The Rapids, but it is often rather smelly! 

The Rapids

The first stop is known as The Rapids and as the name suggests the river tumbles over the rocks at this point. The pool below the rapids is good for trout fishing we are told, but the real secret is a little further upstream.

The Secret Pool above The Rapids

As you leave the car park and head towards the river there is a single composting toilet to the right. (This is the last toilet until Honeymoon Pool) Follow the track past the toilet and you will come to a beautiful pool where you can swim or use the shaded tables provided for a picnic. This is probably my favourite stop along Lennard Drive, because there are steps down into the water and lots of shade.

Big Rock

The next stop is Big Rock, so named after the enormous granite rock that extends from the river bed all the way up the hill, across the road. It looks quite spectacular in Spring when the rock is carpeted with pink wildflowers.

Above the water fall is a shallow pool ideal for younger children. (Remember to always supervise children around water) The water flows over the rocks into a large deep pool. It’s  quite cold, because it is coming from the Dam just upstream and flows too fast to warm up in the sun. The kids will love lying on the warm rocks after cooling off in the chilly pool.

Little Rock

Little Rock is a favourite with families with young ones, because they can play in the shallow pools. Many kids, and adults, are put of by slimy. muddy river beds, but not so, at Little Rock. The pool has a solid granite base and is not slimy, although it can be a bit slippery, so take care in the water. With a wide expanse of water and trees lining the banks Little Rock offers some awesome photographic opportunities.

Long Pool

A while back, a photographer took a picture and labelled it Honeymoon Pool. You have likely seen the picture circulating around Facebook or Instagram, but it is actually Long Pool, a couple of km upstream from Honeymoon Pool.
The pool is big enough to swim in and there are are steps to access the water and tables nearby to set up a picnic in the shade of the trees. 
(Just a warning; because it is so lovely and shady and cool, the mozzies love it too, so remember to bring some insect repellent with you!)
It is a spectacular spot and on a sunny day the water reflects the blues and greens of the sky and surrounding scenery.

From here the road comes to a T junction. A right hand turn will take you over the bridge, down to Honeymoon Pool and eventually the Coalfields Hwy. A left hand turn and you have the choice of heading back into Collie or down into the Ferguson Valley.

Can you help?

We are very fortunate to have such beautiful places to visit and enjoy. Bins are provided at the Kiosk and Honeymoon Pool only, so can we ask that you plan to take all your rubbish with you while visiting Lennard Drive. This may mean packing a garbage bag or cardboard box at home to collect food wrappers  and drink containers throughout your visit. The money that would be spent on rubbish collection can now be spent on maintaining and improving facilities around the park.

With so many adventures to be had in the Collie River Valley we hope you will take the time to browse our posts and start planning your next adventure!

Big Rock – fun for all ages

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Big Rock is the second stop along Lennard Drive and offers fun for all the family. You will find it just below The Rapids in Wellington National Park, Collie WA 

The name Big Rock comes from the enormous granite rock that extends all the way from the river bed, across the road and up the hill on the opposite side. It’s difficult to comprehend the scale of this rock from a photograph and the hill is way steeper than it looks here.
In spring the hill is covered with amazing pink wildflowers.
There is a picnic table, but no toilets at this spot. The last flushing toilet is located back at the Kiosk at the Dam and the next one is at Honeymoon Pool.

The pool above the waterfall

The shallow pool above the waterfall is great for younger children to play and splash around in.
On a hot day it’s nice to sit your chair in the shallow water and watch the little ones enjoy themselves, only an arms length away. Remember to always take care with children around water.
There is not much shade at this spot, so if you are planning on staying a while it is a good idea to pack some sort of shelter such as a large umbrella or gazebo.

The pool below the waterfall 

The large pool below the waterfall is deep and cold and great fun for older children and adults who can swim confidently. The amount of water coming over the rocks is dependent on how much water is being released from the dam upstream and if there is enough water coming down, older kids will enjoy sliding down the waterfall on inflatable tubes and other floating contraptions. 

Camping

Camping is not allowed at this location, but bush style camping facilities are provided at nearby Potters Gorge and Honeymoon Pool. These sites provide long drop toilets but no showers. Bookings are essential. Click here to book a site.
Full camping facilities including hot showers and all the mod cons are available  at the Collie River Valley Tourist Park just 20 minutes away in the town of Collie.

Minninup Pool – a favourite with locals

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Located on a bend on the Collie River, just out of town, Minninup Pool has been a favourite spot to cool off on a hot day for generations. 

There are numerous, shaded picnic tables along the grassy bank where locals and visitors to the area like to sit and enjoy a meal or just take in the scenery.
Unfortunately there are no BBQs provided and fires are not allowed, but you are permitted to bring your own gas BBQ or portable gas stove and cook up a feast. Or keep it simple and grab some take away from town.

Minninup Pool is a day use only area but there are several great options for camping nearby if you want to extend your stay. Go to www.visitcollie.com.au/camping

Getting there…

Turn onto Mungalup Rd, opposite the Caltex fuel station, and look out for the Minninup Pool sign on your left, just over 2 km down the road.
Follow the winding sealed road for a few hundred metres and the river will open up into a wide pool in front of you. 

Swimming and kayaking

This section of the river is fairly deep making it perfect for swimming and kayaking. It is possible to kayak on calm water for several kilometres in either direction. 

The Amazing Blue Lakes – Stockton Lake and Black Diamond

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Collie is home to several amazing blue lakes, but currently only two of them are open to the public; Black Diamond and the bigger but lesser known, Stockton Lake.

The lakes are old open cut coal mines that have since filled with water.  Rimmed with white limestone cliffs and the most amazing blue water they are really quite a stunning sight!

Stockton Lake

Stockton Lake is the bigger, but less known of the two and can be found 10 km east of Collie on the Collie/Darkan Rd.

Camping is permitted and although it does get very busy on school holidays and long weekends, at other times you can often get a spot close to the water.  There is nothing quite like waking up to the amazing view out over the lake.
You don’t need to book and there is plenty of room for the biggest motor homes. Camping fees are collected daily by the ranger. Adults $8, cons $6 and children $3 per person, per night. 

Toilets are provided, but no showers or power, so you do need to be a bit self sufficient. The road is sealed all the way to the campground. Fires are permitted in the cooler weather only. Check the signs at the entrance. Huge fines apply for out of season campfires.

The lake is popular for swimming, kayaking and skiing, although currently the boat ramp is closed and we are unsure when it will be reopened. (People have been launching boats at other locations, but do so at their own risk)

Pets are welcome at Stockton Lake, but it is highly recommended that they are kept on a lead at all times due to 1080 baiting being carried out nearby. 

Black Diamond

Smaller than Stockton Lake, Black Diamond has become one of the most Instagramed places in WA in recent years. The amazing blue water makes the perfect back drop for a selfie or group photo to add to the album.

People do not realize but the eastern half of the lake is on private property and the the land owners right to privacy should be respected.

Black Diamond is a day use only area and anyone setting up camp will be asked to move on and possibly issued a fine. Click here for camping options. Fires are not allowed at any time at Black Diamond.

But…, bring the picnic and the floatie and grab that shot for Instagram! 

If you don’t want to go to the bother of packing your own picnic, Collie has some amazing cafes and pubs where you can grab a light, healthy snack or full on feed. We love The Colliefields, Wagon 537 and the Federal Hotel Collie.

Can you help us?

The increased number of visitors in recent years has put Black Diamond under considerable environmental pressure. Human waste and rubbish left behind, risks contamination to the water and the trampling of areas undergoing re-vegetation is a concern. Here are a few ways you can help take the pressure off the lake.

  • The nearest public toilets can be found at the oval in the nearby town of Allanson; please use them and not the area around the lake.
  • Plan to take all your rubbish home with you or place it in the skip bins provided.
  • Seedlings have been planted around the edge of the lake and along the steep bank. Please observe the signs, stay off the area and allow the plants to grow.

Thank you for helping us ensure Black Diamond will be enjoyed for many years to come.

Warnings

Both lakes have a slightly higher than usual pH and may cause skin irritation in some sensitive people. It is recommended that you avoid spending too long in the water.

As with any body of water, the possibility of the presence of the organism that causes amoebic meningitis is increased when the water temperature rises. Both Black Diamond and Stockton Lake are regularly tested and warnings will be posted at the lake if there is any cause for concern. It is recommended, as a precaution, that you keep you head above the and do not allow water to get up your nose. 

The Rapids have a rather special secret

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The Rapids are the first stop along Lennard Drive in Wellington National Park, Collie WA and they have a rather special secret!

The Rapids on the Collie River below Wellington Dam

The Rapids

Follow the signs towards Honeymoon Pool from the Kiosk at the Dam and watch out for The Rapids sign on your right. The one way road is sealed all the way, so there is no need for 4WD. Lennard Drive winds it’s way along the river, affording some spectacular views of the river below. Remember to observe the speed limit and drive carefully. 
Swimming at The Rapids is not recommended. The rocks are slippery and there is a real risk of falls and injuries, but tucked away upstream is something rather special!

The Secret

When you leave the car park and head down towards the river, there is a track on your right heading past the toilet. If you follow the track you will come to an amazing pool where you can swim or kayak. There are steps down into the cool refreshing waters and the  water is so clear that you can see the bottom.
Picnic tables are provided, so pack some goodies and plan to stay a while. There are no bins in this area. Please remember to do the right thing and take all your rubbish home with you. The money that would be spent emptying bins can be put to better use providing other facilities instead.

The Secret Pool above the Rapids

Camping

You can’t camp at The Rapids, but there are camping facilities a short drive away at Honeymoon Pool and Potters Gorge. (Click here for bookings) But if you prefer a bit more comfort, the Collie River Valley Tourist Park have camping facilities, onsite cabins and piping hot showers.

Go to town

The town site of Collie is about 20 minutes away and boasts two 7 day supermarkets, 24/7 fuel, several historic pubs, some excellent modern cafes, history, art, museums, kids playgrounds, free water park and a huge camping store.

Little Rock – A favourite for families with little children

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Little Rock is the third of four amazing spots along Lennard Drive in Wellington National Park, Collie WA and  a favourite with families with little children because of the calm shallow water and rock pools to explore.

Getting there

You will find Lennard Drive on the other side of the river from the Kiosk at the Dam. Follow the signs towards Honeymoon Pool and head down below the dam wall and across the river.  About 750m along Falcon Road you will see the sign for Lennard Drive. Little Rock is another three km along and well sign posted. The road is sealed all the way.

Bring a picnic

Whether you are camping at nearby Honeymoon Pool or Potters Gorge, or just visiting for the day, Little Rock is the perfect spot to bring a picnic all year round. Tables are provided in a nice sheltered clearing with views of the river.

We encourage visitors to take all their rubbish home with them, because bins are not provided. When ever the #visitcollie team have visited this area we have been surprised by the lack of rubbish left behind. It would be great if we could all keep it that way for every one to enjoy.

Make use of the facilities at the Kiosk

The last flushing toilets and running water are back at the Kiosk at the Dam and the road in is one way, so we recommend a pit stop at the Kiosk before heading out to Little Rock. There are long drops at the Rapids, but the next flushing toilets are at Honeymoon Pool.

The peaceful sounds of the bush

Running water, frogs and birds…

(Sorry about the wind on the camera microphone.)

The town of Collie…

…is only 20 minutes away and it’s well worth taking the drive in and having a look around town. There are two big supermarkets to stock up on food supplies and lots of places to sit for a while and enjoy some good food and even local wine. If you are interested in history the Coalfields Museum, Replica Coal Mine, Bill Weirs Rolling Stock Shed, the old steam engines at the Visitor Centre and the  old Collie Railway Station are all worth a visit. Check with the Collie Visitor Centre for directions and open times.
Central Park is popular for families as there is plenty of room to run around and even a free water playground for the warmer weather.

Long Pool – soon to be the new Instagram hot spot!

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Long Pool is the last of four magnificent swimming and pic-nic spots along Lennard Drive in the Wellington National Park near Collie, WA and if you are looking for a spot away from the crowds, this could be it!

Long Pool

Last year a photographer took a picture and labelled it Honeymoon Pool. You have likely seen the picture circulating around Facebook or Instagram, but it is actually Long Pool, a couple of km upstream from the famous Honeymoon Pool.

Long Pool is plenty big enough for swimming and kayaking and there are steps down into the cool waters.

Weeping peppermint trees, grace the banks and the waters shimmer blue and green, reflecting the sky and surrounding bush.

Lennard Drive

Lennard Drive is a sealed road, winding it’s way through some spectacular forest with amazing views of the river below. Look out for the Lennard Drive sign on your right after crossing the river below the dam.

Long Pool is well signed and you won’t have any trouble finding it.

The road is one way, so when you reach River Road at the end you can either turn right and go down to Honeymoon Pool or turn left and head into Collie or the Ferguson valley.

Pack a pic-nic

Pic-nic tables are provided, so pack some goodies and an esky of cold drinks and sit back under the trees and relax in between refreshing swims in the cool waters of the pool. Bring the flamingo and grab that perfect Instagram shot while you are here.

Camping

You can’t camp at Long Pool, but there is camping at Potters Gorge above the dam and Honeymoon Pool further down stream from Long Pool. You will need to book your site online before heading into the park as there is limited internet service in the area. To book go to https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park-stay

If you prefer a hot shower at the end of the day and a proper flushing toilet the Collie River Tourist Park is a perfect central point to discover the secrets of the Collie River Valley. They even offer a Pitch and Pack service, where they provide the tent or camper trailer and put it up and take it down for you. You just need to bring your own linen, food an clothes.

Heading into town

The supermarkets and petrol stations are open 7 days a week in Collie in case you need to stock up on fresh food. There is a fantastic camping shop that is well worth a visit too. The staff know their stuff and have a huge range of products on offer.

Check out the map

Long Pool is not yet marked on Google Maps and Lennard Drive is not named either for some reason, but you will find it easily between Falcon Road near the Dam and River Road near Honeymoon Pool.