State Coal Mine, Victoria

The State Coal Mine, also known as State Coal Mine Heritage Area, is a former 20th century state-owned black coal mine located in Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia. The mine was operational from 1910 until 1968 and is now a state park and tourist attraction.

The coal deposits at the site are estimated to be more than 150 million-years-old and the tunnels of the mine encompasses nearly 5,000 kilometres, forming an underground ring around the town of Wonthaggi. The site is located adjacent to the former railway line to Melbourne via Wonthaggi.

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.

Today the precinct is operated by Parks Victoria and is open for the public to explore the heritage mine site. The State Coal Mine is the only historic coal mine experience in the Southern Hemisphere.

The attraction offers visitors a journey back in time to discover what life working in a coal mine was like in the 1900s. It is an educational experience, predominantly for families, to tour the underground network of tunnels and learn how Victoria's men extracted the black gold.

Key attractions include:

Facilities at the site underwent a $3 million upgrade in 2012 allowing underground tours to resume after an eight-year hiatus bring them into line with new safety requirements.

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Wikipedia