Wellington

Wellington National Park is a 32,226-hectare protected area on the Darling Range and coastal plain south of Perth, encompassing the Collie River, Harvey River systems, and Wellington Reservoir. The park protects jarrah-marri forest, tuart woodland, and wetland habitats in one of the most visited national parks near Perth. Wellington Dam and Reservoir — a historic 1933 structure — is a centrepiece of the park, with the Collie River flowing through spectacular forest gorge country below the dam. The park is managed by DBCA.

Wellington National Park is a stronghold for the critically endangered western ringtail possum, which uses the peppermint and marri woodland near the Collie River and reservoir. Carnaby's black-cockatoos and forest red-tailed black-cockatoos are resident. Short-beaked echidnas, western grey kangaroos, brush wallabies, and quendas inhabit the park. The Collie and Harvey Rivers support marron. Tiger snakes and dugites inhabit damp river margins. The wetlands near the reservoir attract waterbirds.

Jarrah (E. marginata) and marri (C. calophylla) dominate on the Darling Plateau, transitioning to tuart (E. gomphocephala) woodland on calcareous soils near the coast. Peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) occurs in riparian positions. The understorey includes sheoak, banksia, hakea, and diverse spring-flowering plants. The reservoir shoreline supports paperbarks and sedges. The park is within the Southwest Australian Floristic Region.

Wellington National Park straddles the Darling Scarp — the western edge of the Darling Plateau (Archaean granite-gneiss) — and the adjacent Swan Coastal Plain (coastal calcareous sands). The Collie River has carved a gorge through the Scarp to the reservoir. Wellington Dam is built on granite bedrock in the gorge.

Mediterranean climate with 700–900 mm annual rainfall. The Collie River is one of the major rivers flowing off the Darling Range. Summer temperatures can reach 40°C. The park experiences higher rainfall than the coastal plain due to orographic enhancement.

Wellington National Park lies within Noongar boodja — Bibbulmun-Pibulmun territory in the Collie-Harvey area. The Harvey and Collie River systems were major resource corridors for Noongar people. Wellington Dam was constructed from 1929–1933 as part of the South West Irrigation Scheme. The park is named after the Duke of Wellington.

Wellington National Park was proclaimed in 1982, incorporating the Wellington Dam reservoir and surrounding forest country. The park is one of the most popular destinations in the Perth hills region. DBCA manages the park for both conservation and recreation.

Collie River Valley Trail — a 11 km return walk through spectacular jarrah forest gorge country below Wellington Dam. Swimming and canoeing at Wellington Reservoir. Camping at Balingup Valley campground. Mountain biking on dedicated trails. Fishing for marron (seasonal). The Wellington Dam wall offers views over the reservoir.

Located south of Perth on the South Western Highway (Bunbury Highway). Access from Collie. Campgrounds with powered and unpowered sites, toilets, and shower facilities. DBCA park fees apply for camping. Collie (25 km) provides services.

Western ringtail possum conservation is a high priority. Phytophthora cinnamomi threatens proteaceous understorey. Tuart woodland is critically threatened by dieback. The park is experiencing increased visitor pressure and requires active track and campground management. Invasive weeds including cape tulip require ongoing control.