Wonthaggi, which is 135 km from Melbourne and approximately 1.5 hours drive by car, is the largest town in South Gippsland, having a population of 7300. Located in South West Gippsland, it is reached via the Bass Highway. It is the main service town in the fertile Bass Valley and relies principally on beef and dairy farming.
Wonthaggi was established as a coal-mining town because of its large deposits of black coal which fuelled Victoria’s steam based railroads. It was the first fully electrified coal mine in the southern hemisphere and supplied the town with electricity from its power station. The coalmines peaked in the 1920s and began to decline in the mid 1930s and mining operations ceased in 1968.
Wonthaggi has its own beach and is less than 10 km from the other beaches at either the holiday destinations of Cape Paterson and Inverloch and close to Phillip Island, the penguin parade and seal rocks.
The coastal road between Inverloch and Cape Paterson makes an attractive drive with cliffs, sandy beaches and occasional wild coast.
Bunurong Marine Park is a place to discover the fascinating world of the marine environment along some of Victoria's most beautiful coastline. The broad rock platforms and underwater reefs here support a remarkable range of habitats, containing a diverse array of marine plants and animals.
The seaside towns of Cape Paterson and Inverloch offer places for relaxation and water sports. Swimming and surfing beaches can be found at both and sailing, sail boarding, water skiing and boat fishing are all widely available activities in the area.
