Wonthaggi

Overview

Located 130 kilometres southeast of Melbourne, Wonthaggi is the largest town in Bass Coast Shire and is the main service centre for South Gippsland.  

Six wind turbines to the south of the town supply power to the national grid and it is also the site for the world’s biggest desalination plant which is currently under construction.

History

The town of Wonthaggi came into being in 1910 to supply coal for steam trains in Victoria. Coal mainly came from NSW before that time. The Post Office had opened on 11 November 1887 in a rural area. On 1 August 1910 this office was renamed St Clair and on the same day Powlett Coal Mine post office which opened earlier that year, was renamed Wonthaggi.

The construction of the Wonthaggi power station in 1912 resulted in the mining complex becoming the first electrified mining operation in the southern hemisphere.

The town flourished and became the centre of co-operation in Victoria.  The visionaries who were drawn to the town, with their ‘can do’ attitude set up institutions such as Wonthaggi Co-operative and Distribution Society, the Workmen’s Club, the Union Theatre and a medical hospital, pharmaceutical, dental and optometry network that pre-dated our Medicare scheme by more than half a century. 

Places of interest

State Coal Mine reserve
Mining relics and slag heaps
Miners Cottages
Historic buildings
Bass Coast Rail Trail
Wind turbines
Old laneways and wide road reserves

Accommodation

Wonthaggi is serviced by hotels, motels, caravan parks, B&Bs and private house rentals. For accommodation and other information go to www.visitbasscoast.com or phone 1300 854334.

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