Known originally for its coal mining, it is now the largest town in South Gippsland, a regional area with extensive tourism, beef and dairy industries.

[2] The Boonwurrung Aboriginal people were custodians of this stretch of coast for thousands of years prior to white settlement.

[3] Coal was discovered by explorer William Hovell at Cape Paterson in 1826, and was subsequently mined from the Powlett River fields in the region, between 1859 and 1864.

However transporting the coal by whale boat through the surf to larger ships anchored offshore proved costly and dangerous and mining activity was soon curtailed.

[9] Wonthaggi celebrated its centenary in 2010 and a book[10] presenting interviews with local residents about the town history was published in 2012.

Protesters argued that it would taint the view of Cape Patterson on the trip from Anderson to Wonthaggi and would affect the "recreational tourism and landscape values of the coastline".

[14] Walking, cycling and horse riding is the modern use of the old Wonthaggi railway line all year round.

Williamsons Beach on Lower Powlett Road is located next to the Wonthaggi Wind Farm and the Victorian Desalination Plant.

Also Chisholm TAFE,[24] Bass Coast Specialist School,[25] Bass Coast Adult Education Centre,[26] University of the Third Age (U3A) retirees education centre,[27] and Connecting Skills Australia (CSA) specialist developmental school, support and employment services/training.

The Wonthaggi Workmens Club entity still exists today on Graham Street, run as a family bistro, pub and functions/events venue.

The town has many large chain stores; RACV Inverloch Resort, four major supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, pubs, clubs, a hospital hotels and markets.