Ferguson Valley, Western Australia - November 2021

Ferguson Valley & Wellington National Park

November 2021

We have recently enjoyed a mini-break to visit another small area of Western Australia and decided to explore the area around the Wellington National Park, a couple of hours or so south of Perth.

For our base, we booked three nights at an Airbnb property in the town of Collie.

The highlights of our trip were:

Seeing the Wellington Dam with the world’s largest Dam Mural, measuring 8,000 sq. metres. 

The dam is the second largest in Western Australia and holds 185 billion litres when full.

Enjoying morning coffee with the King, sitting on our collapsible chairs with our flasks in his majestic presence. The giant King Jarrah Tree, 36 metres high and approximately 500 years old, rules over the forests of the Wellington National Park. The King has survived bushfires, storms, lightning and insect attack.

Strolling along the Harvey Dam Wildflower Trail with spectacular views across lakes, the waters of the Harvey Dam and the pine forests beyond.

Visiting Gnomesville (population 5,000), the only village in the world occupied solely by garden gnomes located along the banks of a gently-flowing creek. 

As you can see, the residents were very conscious about keeping everyone safe and well during the Covid pandemic.  

Gnomesville is located on the Eastern Junction roundabout of Wellington Mill Road and Ferguson Road.  

Discovering two Blue Lagoons so far inland! Black Diamond Lake and Stockton La.

These are two former open-cut coal sites filled with water after being de-commissioned in the 1950s, and display incredibly bright azure blue colours. The water is believed to be so blue because of how light reflects off the limestone that forms the base. The water is mildly acidic so it is recommended those with sensitive skin should limit their time in the lakes.

At Black Diamond Lake we were joined by a couple of Kookaburras in a nearby tree. We managed to photograph one of them. Sorry it’s not a very clear picture but he couldn’t keep still for laughing at us!

We also visited Oakley Dam where we enjoyed a picnic lunch followed by a short walk by the waters of the dam, narrow streams and ancient boulders making it quite a magical place.

A lovely few days away with even more happy memories of our life in Western Australia.