Camping at Potter's Gorge, Wellington Dam, Western Australia

In April this year we went camping for the first time at Potter's Gorge near Wellington Dam, west of Collie, in the south west of Western Australia.  Amazingly in all the 40 years we have lived here, we had never camped at Wellington Dam before. We had looked over the recently upgraded minimal cost camping ground during a day visit to the dam a month earlier, and decided we would go back with our caravan. Located only 45 minutes from home it was ideal for a mid week short break and we were set up in time for morning tea.

Potters Gorge campground is attractively nestled in jarrah woodland on the shores of Wellington Dam, within the Wellington National Park. This is a very popular camp site for locals, families, travellers, school and scouting groups as it is only 51 kilometres (45 minutes) from Bunbury and 28 kilometres (25 minutes) from Collie, making it an excellent place for a short getaway. 

Potters Gorges is a wonderful place to enjoy camping in a bushland setting, but if you desire a quiet camp then I recommend you do not come on weekends, public holidays or school holidays, as the campground is very popular during these times.

Run by the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, the recently upgraded campsite consists of 54 gravel sites suitable for caravans, camper trailers and motor homes. There is a group camping area, day use area, sheltered basic camp kitchen with tables and free gas BBQs, unpotable water (please boil before use), flushing eco toilets and dump point. All sites have a table and fire ring, but please bring your own firewood and check seasonal fire ban restrictions.  Please note: There is no power or showers.

 There is also a BMX track if your youngsters bring their bikes. A wheel-chair accessible cement path takes you for a short distance along the water edge from the campground.

There is plenty of do here during your stay. If you enjoy bushwalking there are several well marked walk trails, varying from two kilometre return from the campground to the dam wall, to the twelve kilometre return walk from the dam wall to Honeymoon Pool. Other trails can be completed as loop trails, taking you through a variety of bushland, jarrah, marri, banksia, blackbutt and peppermint forests, granite outcrops, and along the river.  

 Update - A few of my lovely readers have mentioned the peppermint forests and how enchanting they sound. I probably should have said that the forest is a mixture of
jarrah, marri, banksia, blackbutt and peppermint trees. Not a peppermint forest of just peppermint trees. The peppermint tree - Agonis flexuosa - is probably not what you imagine if you are not Australian. It does have a peppermint smell when you crush the leaves, but not the chocolate and peppermint type peppermint - but an Australian earthy peppermint. So hard to explain. Anyway, here are some pics I took for you today down at our little bush block corner.. They actually are a rather straggly tree which can grow quite big.
Here is a Facts sheet I found on the net - Western Australian Peppermint Tree

 Take note of the times and degree of difficulty on signage before you set out as some walks are relatively easy, but others are challenging with steeps ascents or descents, as the landscape is hilly with steep gullies falling sharply to the Collie River.  You can pick up a trail map from the dam cafe.

After lunch on our first day we decided to do the five kilometre return Kurliiny Tjenangitj walk trail which takes you up a steep climb to a lookout over the jarrah forest and the Collie River. It is well worth the climb, but I suggest walking poles to assist on the steep sections - it's very steep both up and down!

Please be aware you may sometimes share trails with mountain bikes on the Munda Biddi cycle trail.

Below is an example of the trail signage. To access the walk we drove from Potter's Gorge, past the dam wall, then along the one way Lennard Drive to Honeymoon Pool. This is also a camping area, with direct access to the river, but it is better suited to tents.  From here we walked along the river and then turned up the climb.

 You can see on the map above the sign that says "you are here" which is the lookout.   And below you can see views from the lookout and the walk down. It was a reasonably difficult climb up the steep sections, so we were glad we took water and some snacks with us to eat when we got to the lookout.

 The next day we combined two of the walks, making an eleven kilometre loop. We walked in an anti-clockwise direction, starting at Potters Gorge along the Sika trail, and then branching onto the Jabitj trail for the return walk along the river. We stopped for lunch along the river, where interpretive signage told us about traditional uses of plants by the Noongar Wilmah people. 

 Here are some views along the Sika trail which takes you through jarrah forest. Some of this trail has challenging ascents and descents and part of it is also used as a mountain bike trail.  Below you can see some trail signage, and also the pipeline supplying irrigation water to farmland.

 And along the river

 Other activities you can enjoy whilst camping at Potters Gorge are swimming, canoeing, boating and water skiing in designated areas, marroning in season, and fishing (license required).  Please take note of signage concerning these.

Other activities include a 4Wheel-Drive track for daylight hours, mountain bike trails, bird watching and wildflower photography.  You might even see a kangaroo!  

Our stay was during autumn, so there were only a few wildflowers. I need to go back again now that spring is here.   

 Of course you don't have to do any of this. You can just sit with your feet up, read a book, relax and enjoy the quietness.  But please don't forget the treats. 

The Kiosk near the dam wall, only a one kilometre (20-30 minutes) walk from Potters Gorge, is open 9am-4pm Thursday to Sunday with light lunches, hot and cold drinks and icecreams. You can also collect a map of the walk trails here.  When there has been good winter rains the dam overflows. This picture was taken in September 2014.

Potters Gorge is ideally located for a day trip to the Ferguson Valley’s wineries, restaurants and galleries.  You can also explore the walk trails of Wellington Discovery Forest.

  You can also learn about the history of the Wellington Dam which provides water for irrigation.   The building of the dam in 1932 was part a public works program providing jobs for thousands of people during the 1930s Depression. They lived in a tiny settlement of tents pitched in the bush during construction. 

If you are tenting, I recommend Honeymoon Pool camp area.  This area has boardwalk access to the river for swimming or canoeing.  Accommodation is also available at the Wellington Mills Cottages.

 Wellington Dam is also ideal for a day trip if you live in the area. There are several picnic areas, at the Potter's Gorge day use area, at the dam wall, and also at Honeymoon Pool.

FACT FILE

Location:  51 km (45 minutes) to Bunbury, 28 km (25 minutes) to Collie, 195 km (2 hours) from Perth. 

Best time to visit - autumn or spring 

Facilities: Gravel sites, picnic tables, fire rings, basic camp kitchen, gas BBQs, non-potable water, flushing eco toilets, dump point. No power. Bring all supplies.

Campfires permitted seasonally – please bring your own firewood and extinguish when you leave. Generators only between 8am-9pm and not between 1-5pm. Rubbish can be left in the skip bins provided. 

Wheelchair access to toilets: Yes

Rates at time of writing: Per night: Adult: $10, Concession $6.60, Child 6-15 years $2.20. Fees are collected by caretaker each evening.

Pets: Not allowed as this is a National Park

More Information: 

Collie River Valley – then search for Wellington and scroll down to Wellington National Park

WA Dept Parks & Wildlife – then search for Wellington National Park

 Thank you so much for stopping by. Do you have a campsite you have newly discovered? Perhaps you would like to tell us about it in your comments. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

You might also like these posts from around the same area - 
April Randoms - including Wellington Dam 
How Green was my valley - Ferguson Valley 
Down in the woods today - Gnomesville 
Crooked Brook Forest Walk - Dardanup
 
I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

   
All Seasons
Mosaic Monday 

Our World Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

Through My Lens 

Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Travel Photo Thursday 

The Lovin' Life Team over at Deep Fried Fruit
Little Things Thursday 

Sky Watch Friday

Life in Reflection

Hello there! I love reading your comments. Just click down here to comment too!