What was once a deep hole left behind by coal mining is now a destination for swimming, boating, camping and water sports. Lake Kepwari, near Collie in Western Australia, began as the Western 5B mine void at a former open-cut coal operation. After the mine closed in 1997, the site was progressively transformed into an artificial lake. Over time, water filled the void, creating a large recreational water body that eventually became part of efforts to diversify Collie’s tourism opportunities. By late 2020, Lake Kepwari had opened to visitors with new infrastructure designed to turn the former mine site into a water-based recreation hub, according to the Western Australian Government.
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