| Collie | |
Location: | 202km south of Perth |
Shire: | Collie |
Population: | 7684 |
Postcode: | 6225 |
Collie is an attractive coal mining town with well laid out streets, parks and gardens, set in the jarrah timber country of the Darling Range. Approximately 3.25 million tonnes of coal are produced here annually. Nearby Worsley Alumina Refinery is the largest private customer for Collie's coal with 400,000 tonnes used annually to produce one million tonnes of alumina. Other important local industries are farming and the milling of the region's jarrah and pine plantations.
The town also plays a major role in supplying Western Australia's electricity, the Muja Power Station is now the largest in the State. Guided tours of the power station run on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, details are available from the tourist bureau.
There is plenty to see both in and around the township. The local museum houses many interesting mementos of Collie's pioneering days and there is also a Steam Loco Museum in Throssell Street which exhibits many of the last trains to use coal in Western Australia.
Next to the tourist bureau is Collie Tourist Coal Mine, a replica of an underground coal mine. Guided tours are conducted daily. The Bicentennial Gallery at the rear of the tourist bureau boasts a fine collection of local arts and crafts for sale.
The Collie Scenic River Drive follows the river, with tumbling rapids on one side and heavily timbered hills on the other. Native wildflowers and bush orchids grow in abundance on the timbercovered slopes. For a scene of majestic grandeur visit Wellington Dam, 28 kilometres southwest of Collie. The barbecue and picnic area is nestled below the cliffs.