Welcome
The State Coal Mine offers a journey back in time to discover what life working in a coal mine was like in the 1900s. Venture underground through the dark network of tunnels to get hands-on at the coal face and learn how Victoria’s hard working men extracted the black gold.
Only 90 minutes from Melbourne, the State Coal Mine is the only historic coal mine experience in the Southern Hemisphere, offering interactive fun and interest for the whole family both above and below ground.
Rising from its beginnings as a make shift ‘Tent Town’, Wonthaggi quickly grew to the thriving town we know today. Operating from 1909 to 1968, the State Coal Mine produced almost 17 million tonnes of coal for Victoria’s industries and railways.
Free entry to all above ground facilities includes the new State Coal Mine Visitor Centre with cafe, theatrette and shop, the museum, heritage trail, historic buildings and sheltered BBQ area.
The State Coal Mine is open 10am – 4.30pm daily.
Underground tours run daily at 11.30am and 2.00pm.
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day.
PDF maps of this park are available to download for Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. These interactive maps allow you to see an overview of visitor facilities, calculate distances, see walking tracks, and (with sufficient mobile signal) locate yourself within the park.
To download these maps, you must first install the free Avenza PDF Maps application. Search for “Avenza PDF Maps” in the Apple App Store via your mobile device to get started.
PDF Maps requires iOS 4.0 or later running on an iPhone 3GS or better, 3rd generation iPod Touch or better, or any iPad.
If you don’t have a mobile Apple device, these PDF maps are also available for download under the ‘Related publications’ section below.
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Gunaikurnai identify the State Coal Mine as their Traditional Country.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria
Explore the network of underground tunnels and imagine them dusty and dim, filled with last century's hard-working men drilling and chipping for coal. The mine remains just as it was in its working days. Tools and equipment are still in place, as if the miners have just walked away. …
The State Coal Mine’s newly built Visitor Centre welcomes you the heart of Wonthaggi’s coal mining heritage. Relax in the theatrette as film brings Wonthaggi's mining heritage to life or enjoy light refreshments in the Visitor Centre cafe overlooking the site’s historic buildings. The souvenir shop …
Optimised for mobile devices.
16 May 2012
Vehicle access to some metropolitan Melbourne and regional parks may be restricted due to protected industrial action. The majority of parks will remain unaffected or still have pedestrian and bike access. Parks Victoria will work to minimise any disruption to the public, particularly for any bans that affect access to …
June 1997
258.5ha