Dams and lakes come in abundance and all shapes and sizes in the BunGeo; ranging from small bodies of water to huge lakes, either man-made or natural, covering hundreds of square kilometres. There’s something pure and invigorating about fresh water. It cools your soul.
Rated as one of WA’s Top 10 Instagram spots, a trip to Black Diamond Lake near Allanson & Collie is a must with its vibrant, blue waters creating a photo frenzy. Black Diamond is best experienced on a clear, sunny day with the light creating some of the bluest water you will ever see. It was formerly an open cut mine site that ceased operation in the 1950s – so check the water quality before diving in! Otherwise, it’s perfect for a dip, SUP, canoeing and kayaking. The lake has also become extremely popular with visitors bringing inflatable floats, because who wouldn’t want to simply lay back and enjoy the beauty?
Fed by the Collie River, Wellington Dam is the largest dam in the South West and the second largest in Western Australia. It was constructed in 1933 and enlarged in 1956, and the power station was built in the 1950s. Water is released regularly, perfect for kayakers. Water skiing is also allowed on the dam if water levels are high. There are special views from many places in the Wellington Dam Precinct but the Water Corporation's Dam Lookout gives you the impression that you are suspended over the valley. The nearby Quarry picnic area is located at the site of the 1930s & 50s construction camps. Unique engineered concrete and stone picnic shelters and lookout are now recognised for their heritage values. Rock climbers love to climb the Quarry walls. The former dam caretakers house is now a great little cafe, Kiosk on the Dam, where you can hire bikes and glamping tents.
Surrounded by forest and away from everywhere in the picturesque Preston Valley. Note: this is the dam where locals go. Be warned - on weekends it explodes with water-skiers.. Camping is permitted on the western shore of the dam where a toilet is provided. On the eastern shore toilets and picnic tables are provided in the day use picnic area and near the dam wall. A toilet is also located at the boat ramp. Camp and cooking fires are not permitted at Glen Mervyn, so make sure you pack a gas camp stove. Access to the western shore is via a narrow unsealed track and consequently is not designed for towing caravans.
Lake Preston located just north of Myalup extends 20 kilometres and falls partly in the Peel region in the Yalgorup National Park. Preston is one of ten lakes in the park that lie in the depressions between a series of coastal dunes, parallel to the coast. Lake Preston is extremely elongated and lies closest to the coast. Take a bush walk to the lake. It’s a 2km easy out-and-back stroll along the lakeshore through a fringing thicket of swamp paperbark.
Only minutes from Harvey, with fantastic facilities and an amphitheatre, Harvey Dam is a popular location. Marroning, trout and perch fishing is permitted only at the rear of the dam - in the season with a permit. Grab a canoe, as no power boats are allowed. Other outstanding features include walkways, landscaped recreational areas, free electric BBQs, playground facilities, shady gazebo's, picnic tables and toilets. Constructed in 1916, the original Harvey Weir was part of the first irrigation scheme in WA About 100 men were employed using horse and dray for all the excavation works. After many expansions, the dam is 56 gigalitres with a surface area at full storage of 553 hectares. Catchment area - 126 square kilometres. Strictly 'No Camping' at Harvey Dam. .
Set in the beautiful surroundings of state forest, Lake Brockman is only 10 minutes away from the Harvey. The Logue Brook Dam was constructed in 1963 to provide water for irrigation. However, the lake with crystal clear water also provides a focus for camping and water-based recreation activities. Water skiing, swimming, fishing and marroning are the main activities, with canoeing, windsurfing and sailing also possible. Land-based activities in the surrounding state forest include sightseeing, bushwalking, picnicking and cycling. The Munda Biddi Trail passes along by the lake as well as Logue Brook Campground and the Lake Brockman Tourist Park, making this an ideal access and overnight stop for trail riders. Dogs are allowed in Logue Brook but must be controlled at all times.
Named after Governor Stirling, the dam is set in natural bush land 17kms east of Harvey, perfect for getting back to nature! Construction of the Dam started in the 1940s to supplement the Harvey Weir by channelling water through a gravitational system. This is now sent to the metro area.There is a large BBQ, picnic gazebo, parking and toilets. At the south side of the Stirling Dam over the wall, a walk trail follows the dam overflow course, approximately 500m circuit or 15 minutes. Boating, fishing, camping and marroning are no longer permitted at Stirling Dam and the Harvey River upstream of Stirling Dam. This is in order to safeguard the quality of water being supplied to the people of Harvey, Mandurah, Rockingham and Perth.
Stockton was originally an open cut coal mine, but has long been abandoned and has filled with water. Located seven km east of Collie on the Collie – Darkan Road, Stockton Lake is very popular for boating and water skiing. It is also perfect for caravans, tents and camper trailers. Camp fires are allowed between the hours of 6pm and 10am and are to be contained in the designated fire pits only. Whilst swimming is permitted, signs do warn that people swim at their own risk because, due to past mining activities, the water has a low pH level. Dog-friendly. There are two flushing toilets on the east side of the lake and two newly built long-drop toilet on the west side of the lake.
Imagery: Jaime Harris Fifty Four Images, Sean Smith, Mattea Carson
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