The Wellington Dam Mural and Collie Mural Trail make a fantastic family day out in WA’s South West, combining big wow-factor art with a relaxed nature escape. Around two hours’ drive south of Perth, Wellington Dam sits in the Wellington National Park near Collie and is home to one of the most impressive public artworks in the world: a giant 8,000-square-metre mural painted directly onto the dam wall by Australian artist Guido van Helten. From the elevated lookout and nearby viewing areas, families can take in the sheer scale of the artwork and the surrounding bush, with sweeping views over the dam and Collie River valley below.
Guido van Helten’s mural, titled “Reflections”, is inspired by real stories and historic photographs from the Collie River Valley. After consulting locals and sifting through old images, he selected scenes that capture the working and social history of the region. As you look across the dam wall, you’ll spot workers who helped build the dam, children playing near the water, Aboriginal children from Roelands Mission enjoying a picnic day, and a young family connected to the local power industry.
One of the boys depicted holding a fish is now an apprentice at a nearby power plant, while another girl who appears with her father and brother later helped install artworks. At the far right, an Aboriginal couple believed to be from the 1890s connects the mural to a deeper, older story of Country and community.
Seeing the mural in person is a powerful experience for kids and adults alike. Younger children tend to be amazed by the size of the artwork and like spotting “their favourite” figures, while older kids and teens can appreciate the history and storytelling behind each scene. The viewing areas are easily accessed from the carpark, and families can spend time wandering between lookouts, taking photos and reading any interpretive signage. Many visitors then head down to the rapids and riverbanks below for a picnic, a paddle or a rock-hop along the water’s edge, turning it into a full morning or afternoon in nature.
From Wellington Dam, the adventure continues into town with the Collie Mural Trail, an expansive outdoor art gallery that links the dam with Collie’s centre. The 35km trail includes more than 40 murals created by over 30 Australian artists, including many locals. These artworks appear on shopfronts, blank walls, community buildings and even pavements, so simply walking or driving around Collie becomes a treasure hunt for street art. Each mural tells a local story, celebrating the working-class heritage, natural environment and First Nations culture of the Collie River Valley.
Some of the standout murals highlighted on the trail include the Collie-Cardiff RSL Tribute by Shakey (Jacob Butler), which features scenes of two-up being played across different wars and portraits of Collie servicemen and women, including Aboriginal servicemen and Victoria Cross recipient Martin O’Meara. At the Golden Crust Bakery mural by Jarrad Martyn, kids can spot a draft horse pulling a bread and milk cart, a nod to the days before cars took over local deliveries. At Collie Central Park’s sound bowl, Jerome Davenport’s “Creatures of the Night” brings to life the brush-tailed phascogale and other nocturnal wildlife, while “Friday Night at the Theatre Royale” by Marina Lommerse and Michael Phillips celebrates the memories of Collie’s much-loved former theatre.
Exploring the trail is very flexible, which works well for families. You can download the Collie Mural Trail map before you go or on arrival, then choose a handful of murals to focus on or make a day of it and try to see as many as possible. Many murals are clustered around the main streets, so you can combine art-spotting with a stop at a Playground, bakery or café. Older kids might enjoy using the map to lead the way, while younger ones can turn it into a game of “find the next mural”. Because the artworks are outdoors and spread across town, it’s easy to break up the day with rest stops, snacks and playtime.
As a full day out, combining Wellington Dam and the Collie Mural Trail offers a lovely balance of driving, walking, nature and culture. For example, you might spend the morning at the dam and rapids, enjoy a picnic or barbecue in the national park, then head into Collie in the afternoon to follow the mural trail at your own pace. Families travelling from Perth for a day trip will find it’s a big but very doable outing, while those staying overnight in the region can stretch the experience over two days and explore more of the Collie River Valley’s walks, lakes and attractions.
Whether your kids are budding artists, little history buffs or just love being outdoors, the Wellington Dam Mural and Collie Mural Trail provide a memorable and uniquely West Aussie experience. The combination of large-scale public art, local storytelling, Aboriginal perspectives and beautiful bushland scenery makes this a must-do stop on any South West adventure.
Wellington Dam Mural & Collie Mural Trail
Address:
Wellington Dam: Wellington National Park, via Wellington Dam Road, near Collie WA 6225
Collie Mural Trail: Collie town centre and surrounds, Collie WA 6225
Website: https://www.colliemuraltrail.com/
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