250 million years ago, luxuriant vegetation gathered in deep cavities in the rock shield and gradually turned into coal. This was a secret discovered less than 150 years ago, which shaped the history of Collie.
patterns of settlement
The Nyoongar Aboriginal people spent little time on this jarrah-covered bauxite plateau. They visited in winter when the creeks flowed, and they fished along the rivers of the Darling Range and estuaries of the coastal plain. The settlements of the new colonists focussed on pastureland at the fringe of the forest.
black gold
In 1839 the Colonial Government offered a reward of 4 square miles of land for the discovery of coal. Prospectors started to penetrate the forest and in 1883, coal was found.
white gold
The district's resource heritage is evident from the moment you travel south from Harvey-Quindanning Road to pass under the 'Worsley Alumina' conveyor. This transports bauxite (naturally occurring aluminium oxide) from the Mt Saddleback mine to the refinery.
forests on fire
Several kilometres south of Possum Springs, walkers pass through an area burnt in a joint Department of Conservation and Land Management/CSIRO fire research project in 1998 (Project Vesta). Today the area demonstrates the capacity of the jarrah forest to recover from a hot summer burn.
Vegetation varies from diverse swamp areas such as the 'plonkhole' south of Dee Vee Rd, to the old growth jarrah forest and sandy flats of the Lane Poole Special Conservation Zone around Yourdamung.
water for birds and communities
Lake Balingall, formed by the damming of the Harris River in 1989, now provides habitat for many waterbirds. It's a pleasant 3-4 hour return walk from the Harris Dam picnic area to Harris Dam campsite.
forests for people
The Track is linked to Collie by a 3km spur trail. Heading south it passes the town's water supply, Mungalup Dam, and through the Wellington Forest to reach Yabberup campsite. Look for the many clues of past and current human use of the jarrah forest.
back from the brink
DEC's massive Western Shield operation has reduced the number of foxes. You are now more likely to see many more small, native mammals such as the quenda, mardo and chuditch in the Wellington Forest.
the mumby pub
A favourite and well deserved resting place for walkers heading south from Yabberup campsite, or north from Noggerup campsite, the Mumballup Forest Tavern has been a local haunt for walkers since 1988.
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See information about Collie.