|
|
|
Collie - Cities, Towns and Localities |
|
Nestled within the Darling Ranges and the Collie River Valley is
the coal mining town of Collie, generating a major portion of the
state’s power. Collie is about 52 km inland from the regional city
of Bunbury and 200 km from Perth. The drive into Collie on the Coalfields
Highway along the top of the Darling Scarp offer spectacular views of rolling
hills, farms and forests. Collie Shire is about 170,000
hectares, of which over 75% is covered by state forest and although
the shire has common borders with six other local authorities, the
town itself is quite isolated. Collie origins was established in
1829 when Dr Alexander Collie RN discovered the Collie River.
Initially used as pasture lands for timber production, the discovery of coal in
1883 established it’s importance as a coal mining town. Other towns
in the shire include Allanson, Buckingham, Cardiff, Collie-Burn, Ewington,
Mungalup, Shotts and Worsley.
|
|
|
The shire still has stands of Jarrah, Blackbut,
Marrim and Sheoak to be found in the State Forest, National and Conservation
Parks. There are plenty of waterways in the region including Wellington Dam,
Collie River, Stockton Lake and Minningup Pool, where you can enjoy various
activities from fishing, swimming, waterskiing, canoeing, white water rafting
and marroning. Collie’s principal shopping and business district is located in
Throssell Street and the precinct of Forrest, Princep, Harvey,
Steere and Johnson Streets.
The two areas are separated by railway track. Throssell Street is the
town section of the Coalfields Highway that runs from South West
Highway through to the Arthur River in the east. Here you find most of
the ‘older’ heritage style buildings.
The Shire Offices and the Tourist Bureau are also located in
Throssell Street. On the north side of the railway track is the main business district
that includes the shopping
centres and supermarkets.
Check out our listing of
Collie accommodation.
In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local
tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local
maps and other information. |
|
|
 |
|
|
All Saints Anglican Church
• Ph: 08 9734 2051 •
• Built in 1915 in the Italian style, the church
has jarrah ceiling
and unusual stained glass windows. The mural took renowned stage artist Philip Goatcher eight months to complete
and depicts the saints, bishops, early settlers, miners and Aboriginal people.
Contact the visitor centre for tour times.
|
Tourist Coal Mine
• Ph: 08 9734 2051 •
• Step back in time and learn about life of
the early underground miners in this replica mine. Tours by appointment only.
Contact the visitor centre.
|
Drives and Walking Trails
• There are a number of drives and walks in and around
Collie, including the Bibbulmun Track and the 9 km Sika
Circuit bushwalk at Wellington Dam. Call into the visitor centre for a map of the Discovery Walk
which outlines places with historical significance in the township.River
Walk
• A 10 km marked trail that is suitable for walking or cycling. Follow
the river from the north of town to Mungalup Road. The walk takes you through
the town, meandering past Soldiers Park, the Arboretum. Telfers Pool, Swinging
Bridge and other points of interest. There are picnic facilities
and information shelters along the walk.
|
Soldier’ Park
• Steere St, COLLIE
• Bordering the Collie River, Peppermint trees line the
path and provide shade over the picnic tables. There is a rose garden, memorial
and Aboriginal Sacred Stone, honouring all those fallen in war. There is a gas
barbeque and children’s playground.
|
Coalfields Museum
• Roads Board Building • Ph: 08 9734 1299
• Display of
Collie memorabilia, gemstones, mining, machinery, dolls and photos. It is
advisable to phone ahead to check with the caretaker for opening hours.
|
Mosaic Footpath
• Traces the cycling history of the Collie to Donnybrook
and return cycle race. The nearby Cycle Museum has examples of the early bikes.
The museum is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
|
Old Collie Goods Shed
• Designed by C Y O’Connor and
built in 1898, the shed has been restored by the Collie Heritage Group and
houses restored railway rolling stock. The shed forms part of the ‘Working Life’
trail. Open Monday and Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings. The shed is also
used for markets on alternate Sunday mornings.
|
Collie Railway Station
• The original Collie Railway
Station was demolished in 1977. The Collie Railway Station Group has rebuilt the
station and now offers a memorabilia room cafe for light meals and gift shop, 7
days a week.
|
Minninup Pool
• Only three km south of the town, the Collie River forms a
wide pool before heading further downstream. There are picnic tables and shady
trees, turning this into a tranquil stretch of river and an ideal spot for a
canoe ride, picnic lunch or a refreshing swim.
|
Bibbulmun Track
• This famous track passes
through the Shire of Collie, being a popular walking track for both recreational
and long distance walkers. The track starts in the hills suburb of Kalamunda, 20 km east of Perth in the Darling Range and ends at Albany, some 1,000 km.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Shire
of Collie
• Collie is a welcoming, inclusive and
vibrant community with an environment dominated by natural and manmade
waterways, State Forest and National Park. Visit the council site for
information about the shire that includes visitors information.
|
|
|
|
