State Coal Mine

The coal deposits at the site are estimated to be more than 150 million years old and the tunnels of the mine encompass nearly 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi), forming an underground ring around the town of Wonthaggi.

[7] By the 1930s, with industrial actions and coal in the larger seams running out, production had dropped, but the mine was subsidised and operated until 1968 when regular steam locomotive usage was phased out.

[9] 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.

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