State Coal Mine — Attraction in Wonthaggi

Visiting the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere transported us back in time to the early 20th century, when coal mining was at the heart of Victoria’s industrial growth.

The real highlight of our visit was the underground tour, led by an exceptional tour guide who truly brought the history to life. Not only was he incredibly knowledgeable, but his passion for the site’s heritage was infectious. He had firsthand connections to the local mining community and shared stories that were both captivating and moving.

He struck the perfect balance between educational and entertaining—explaining the tough realities miners faced, the ingenious engineering involved, and the camaraderie that developed deep underground. His engaging storytelling made the entire tour feel more like a journey than a lecture. We came away with a genuine appreciation for the miners’ resilience and the crucial role Wonthaggi played in Victoria’s energy history.

The site itself is well-preserved, with plenty of exhibits above ground too, but the tour guide made the whole experience exceptional. If you’re planning a visit, don’t miss the guided underground tour—it’s the heart and soul of the attraction, and thanks to guides like ours, it’s a must-see for anyone interested in history, engineering, or Australian...

My hubby, 3 teens and I visted the coal mines twice during our recent stay in the area. On Wednesday we did the above-ground tour and then returned on Saturday to do the underground tour.

The aboveground areas are free to explore and there was plenty to see. We easily spent over an our exploring the different areas. The displays are really well set up and it was great to read how the area and how mining the area changed over the years. My kids were also really taken with Otis - the ginger and white cat - even though he very kindly let me pat him but he hid under the stairs away from the kids - haha, sucked in, kids!

We returned on Saturday to do the 1.30 tour underground. I really wish I could remember our guide's name because he was absolutely fantastic and he made what would normally be a very stressful experience for me ( I hate confined spaces) a more bearable ones with his corny dad jokes. I really do wish I had some lollies to share with him. Maybe next time ;-).

On our way our we treated ourselves to milkshakes from the cafe and I must say, they were the best milkshakes we had during our holiday (and we had many milkshakes so feel well-qualified in our...

This place is absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend joining the guided tour, which runs twice a day and lasts a bit over an hour. Staff here are genuinely friendly and welcoming.

Besides the tour, make sure to leave about an hour to explore the free museum area. It features a great collection of tools and equipment once used by miners. The whole area feels like a mini historical village, with a miner’s house, a post office, a blacksmith’s shop and more. Some of the garden beds even have real vegetables growing like apples, lemons, pumpkins and capsicums. You can really see the effort the staff have put in.

The tour guide was very attentive, always checking in with the group and giving clear, hands-on explanations of the displays inside the mine. When all the lights were turned off, I could truly feel how hard it must have been to work in complete darkness back then.

The only downside is that some parts of the park, especially around the coal mining displays, have been damaged quite a bit by bird droppings. Since these exhibits are very educational, I hope they can be better maintained...