Major city · Australia
Collie
Give Collie one night as a stop on the South West loop, or a day trip from Bunbury: the mine lakes and the river walk are the reason to come.
Collie is a coal town of about 7,600 people, 200 km south-east of Perth and roughly 60 km inland from Bunbury. Its draw is water in odd places: flooded mine pits turned blue-green swimming lakes, two dams, and a river running through town. Sights sit 3–17 km apart, so a car decides what you see.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jul–Aug (wet, cold nights)
- Airport
- PER
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Collie000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Collie, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyCollie is a small, quiet town and feels safe day and night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPER Perth Airport (About 2 h 30 min by car; South West Coach Lines runs a daily coach from Perth Airport and the Perth busport, about 3 h (check)).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the lakes and dams are 3–17 km (1.9–11 mi) out of town with no useful public transport.A car is the practical choice: the lakes and dams are 1.9–11 mi (3–17 km) out of town with no useful public transport.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Sit-down mealChinese main courseA$13–19 (≈ US$9–13)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHostel or campground bed, a night, per personA$35 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$160 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$220 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$150 (≈ US$100) · High A$250 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PER Perth Airport (About 2 h 30 min by car; South West Coach Lines runs a daily coach from Perth Airport and the Perth busport, about 3 h (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Aug
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jul (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Collie: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Jul
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
16 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the lakes and dams are 3–17 km out of town with no useful public transport. In town, the river walk and Throssell Street sights are walkable. The TransWA Australind train reaches Bunbury, then a connecting coach continues to Collie (check times).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bunbury
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Coalfields Road to the South Western Highway, about 1 h by car
Closest town with a full supermarket and dolphin discovery centre.
Wellington Dam and the Collie River valley
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Pile Road south of Collie, then the dam access road
The mural on the dam wall and bushwalking; campground with no tap water.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Coalfields Road to the South Western Highway, then Bussell Highway
Jetty and beach town; pair it with a Margaret River day.
Margaret River
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Car via Busselton and the Bussell Highway
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night there.
Pemberton
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Car via Boyup Brook and the Vasse Highway
Karri forest and the Gloucester tree; better as a night stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Throssell Street)
Motels, cafés and both museums within a short walk; the pick if you have no car.
Dam and lake campgrounds
Stockton Lake, Glen Mervyn Dam and Wellington Dam have toilets and campfire rings; no tap water, bring your own.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$140–220 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- A$220 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × A$160 | A$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$150 | A$300 |
| South West Coach Lines Perth → Collie, one way2 × A$50 · check | A$100 |
| Coalfields Museum entry2 × A$5 · check | A$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$62 |
| Trip total≈ A$341 per person per day, bed included | A$682≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Fish and chips | A$12–18 (≈ US$8–12) |
| Chinese main course | A$13–19 (≈ US$9–13) |
| Motel double room | A$120–220 (≈ US$80–150) |
| Fuel, unleaded | A$1.70–2.00 (≈ US$2) per litre (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No tap water at the lake and dam campgrounds: bring your own.
- Swimming is banned at Harris Dam; the dam wall walk is the visit.
- Kangaroos and logging trucks on Coalfields Road at dawn and dusk.
- Summer days can pass 35 °C (95 °F): swim early, carry water.Summer days can pass 95 °F (35 °C): swim early, carry water.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CollieCollie
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
Embassy
No embassy in Collie; consulates-general are in Perth, about 2 h 30 min away.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Perth → Collie, South West Coach Lines: about A$50 (≈ US$35), about 3 h (check)
- Collie → Bunbury by car: about 60 km (37 mi), about 1 habout 37 mi (60 km), about 1 h
- Coalfields Museum entry: A$5 (≈ US$4) adults (check)
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- Where's the loo? — Where is the toilet?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
- How much? — How much is it?
- Safe to swim here? — Is it safe to swim here?
- No worries — No worries
Distances and drive times are approximate.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Collie. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jul–Aug (wet, cold nights) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PER: last coach and train departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Throssell Street, the river walk, Black Diamond Pool, Stockton Lake.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Coalfields Museum, Collie Railway Museum, Harris Dam, Glen Mervyn Dam) and eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Collie
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