Wellington Dam Mural

Wellington Dam was built across the Collie River in the 1930s and raised in the 1960s, and in 2021 its curved concrete face became the canvas for what is described as the largest dam mural in the world, painted by the artist Guido van Helten over some eight thousand square metres. The work shows figures drawn from the district's history, faded and layered in monochrome so that they seem to emerge from the concrete rather than sit on it, and it changes character with the light and the water level below. Viewing platforms sit on both sides, and the surrounding Wellington National Park has jarrah forest, walking tracks, canoeing and camping along the river.

What you actually see

• The mural - eight thousand square metres of painted figures on the dam wall.
• The dam and reservoir - the curved wall and the water behind it.
• The viewing platforms - lookouts above and below the wall.
• The jarrah forest - the national park and river valley around the dam.

When to go

April to November for comfortable weather and fuller water; summer is hot in the southwest inland. Morning and late afternoon light suits the mural, which flattens under harsh midday sun. Water levels fall through summer.

Honest expectations

The site is a viewpoint rather than a day out, taking under an hour unless walking or paddling in the park. Access roads are sealed but winding. Facilities are limited to car parks and toilets.

Nearby

Collie lies east; the Bibbulmun Track and Ferguson Valley are close.