Wonthaggi

The Boonwurrung Aboriginal people were custodians of this stretch of coast for thousands of years prior to white settlement. The Boakoolawal clan lived in the Kilcunda area south of the Bass River, and the Yowenjerre were west of the Tarwin River along what is now the Bunurong Marine and Coastal Park. Middens containing charcoal and shellfish mark the location of their campsites along the coast.{{Citation| title = Bass Coast Information Centres |url=http://www.visitbasscoast.com/ | access-date = 2013-10-28}}

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. The coastal sands off Wonthaggi occasionally uncover the remains of ships wrecked along the coast.{{cite web|title=Wonthaggi Coal Mines|url=http://museumsvictoria.com.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=505&gall=692|work= Victorian Railways |publisher=Museum Victoria|access-date=2013-07-14}}

A tent city was established adjacent to the Powlett River, on what were then known as the Powlett River Coalfields. The tent city had no permanent buildings and healthcare was provided by a Dr Sleeman, who was later instrumental in establishing a permanent hospital in the township of Wonthaggi, proclaimed in 1910.

Much of the coal for the colony of Victoria was sourced from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, along with local supplies from private and co-operative coal mines at Outtrim, Jumbunna and Korumburra in Gippsland. After the 1909–1910 strike by coal miners in the Hunter Valley, the Victorian state government were determined to ensure stability in local supplies of coal. The State Coal Mine and the town of Wonthaggi came into being in 1910 to supply coal for the Victorian Railways.{{cite web|title=Wonthaggi Coal Mines|url=http://museumsvictoria.com.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=505&gall=692|work=Victorian Railways|publisher=Museum Victoria|access-date=2013-07-14}} It was one of the largest and most dangerous collieries in Australia.{{citation|title=Wonthaggi History|url=http://threeheadeddog.com.au/history.html|access-date=2013-11-17}} At its peak in 1926 the mine produced {{convert|2435|LT|t|lk=on}} per day, with the Victorian Railways buying 90% of production.{{cite book |author=Lee, Robert |title=The Railways of Victoria 1854–2004 |publisher=Melbourne University Publishing Ltd |year=2007 |isbn= 978-0-522-85134-2 |page=132}} In 1928, Wonthaggi coal accounted for around 60% of Victorian Railways coal consumption.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3932215 |title=Railways Administration. |newspaper=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=13 July 1928 |access-date=3 January 2013 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}

A Post Office opened on 11 November 1887 in a nearby area. On 1 August 1910, this office was renamed St Clair and on the same day Powlett Coal Mine Post Office, opened earlier that year, was renamed Wonthaggi. That is when the town was given a permanent name.{{cite web |url=http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=VIC&filter=*Wonthaggi* |title=Post Office List |website=Phoenix Auctions History |access-date=1 March 2021}}

Wonthaggi celebrated its centenary in 2010 and a book{{Cite book|title=Memories of Wonthaggi|publisher=Bass Coast Shire Council, The Wonthaggi Centenary Committee, The Wonthaggi and District Historical Society|year=2012|isbn=978-0-646-58704-2|editor-last=Churchill|editor-first=Jenny|location=Wonthaggi, Victoria|quote=The town that refused to die ! – 100 years and still going strong}} presenting interviews with local residents about the town history was published in 2012.

File:Wonthaggi Wind Farm Photo.jpg

File:Wonthaggi Wind Turbines.jpg

The Wonthaggi Wind Farm in Campbell Street was built in 2005. It is an environmentally friendly wind power station with six turbines.{{Citation

| publisher = Clean Energy Council | title= Wonthaggi Wind Farm |url=http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au | access-date = 2013-10-28}} The Bass Coast Shire Council was opposed to the wind farm along with some local residents. 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". By September 2005 the six towers had been built, but were themselves a tourist attraction, seen clearly as you drive down the hill towards Wonthaggi from Anderson.[http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1454030.htm Council admits defeat in wind turbine fight. 06/09/2005. ABC News Online] The wind farm generates power up to 80% of the time, providing electricity for up to 6000 homes. It can be seen when visiting Williamsons Beach and the Victorian Desalination Plant.{{Citation | title = Victorian Desalination Plant |url=https://www.aquasure.com.au/ | access-date = 2013-11-04}}

File:Victorian Desalination Plant Dalyston.jpg

The State Coal Mine in Wonthaggi was operational from 1910 to 1968 and is now operated by Parks Victoria as a tourist attraction and cafe.{{Citation | title = Parks Victoria |url=http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/ | access-date = 2013-10-27}}

• Wonthaggi golf course – 18 hole
• Wonthaggi Museum{{Citation| title = Wonthaggi Historical Society |url=http://wonthaggihistoricalsociety.org.au/ | access-date = 2013-11-11}}
• ArtSpace[http://www.artspacewonthaggi.com.au ArtSpace] – a community art gallery that doubles as an Information Centre

Walking, cycling and horse riding is the modern use of the old Wonthaggi railway line all year round. The Bass Coast Rail Trail, Victoria's only coastal rail trail, stretches 16 kilometres from the mine whistle tower in the centre of Wonthaggi to the roundabout to Phillip Island in Anderson.

File:Williamsons Beach, Wonthaggi And Dalyston.jpg

Williamsons Beach on Lower Powlett Road is located next to the Wonthaggi Wind Farm and the Victorian Desalination Plant. The Victorian Desalination Plant also has a 225-hectare park and 8 km of walking, riding and cycling tracks. Seashell collecting is permitted on Wonthaggi Beaches.{{Citation | title = Department of Environment And Primary Industries |url=http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/home | access-date = 2013-11-03}}

File:Safety Beach Cape Paterson.jpg

Safety Beach on Surf Beach Road Cape Paterson is a popular beach because it has a modified rockpool for swimming.{{Citation | title = CPCP |url=http://cpcp.com.au/ | access-date = 2013-11-14}} The rockpool was built by miners in the 1960s, at a time when the environment was less of a priority in Australia.{{cite book |url=http://capepaterson.asn.au/index.php/fowhcr/tent-town-project/67-101212ttbook |title=Powlett Tent Town. |author=Terry Gitcham Allen |access-date=13 December 2013 |page=63}}

Harmers Haven and Wreck Beach on Berrys Road are popular for surf and rock fishing. Williamsons Beach and Baxters Beach are popular for fishing day and night, catching mostly Salmon and Mullet. Powlett River mouth is popular for catching Bream, Perch, Salmon and Mullet.

File:Powlett River walking tracks.jpg

• Bunurong Marine Park – explore/snorkel, Surf Beach Road, Cape Paterson{{Citation| title = Parks Victoria |url=http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/ | access-date = 2013-11-13}}
• Bunurong Marine National Park – protected state park, explore/snorkel, Inverloch-Cape Paterson Road

Wonthaggi's location on the north shore of Bass Strait gives it an oceanic climate, with the moderating effect of the ocean allowing a narrower temperature range throughout the year compared to other regions in Victoria. Average daily maximum temperatures range from 23.5 °C in summer to 13.5 °C in winter. Frost is rare, occurring on average 6 mornings a year.{{cite web|title = Australian Weather News |url=http://www.australianweathernews.com/news/2005/050810050813.htm | access-date = 2010-02-11}}

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Wonthaggi (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1968–present)

| Jan record high C = 43.7

| Feb record high C = 45.0

| Mar record high C = 39.3

| Apr record high C = 32.8

| May record high C = 26.1

| Jun record high C = 23.0

| Jul record high C = 21.0

| Aug record high C = 24.1

| Sep record high C = 29.5

| Oct record high C = 34.0

| Nov record high C = 36.6

| Dec record high C = 41.7

| year record high C = 45.0

| Jan high C = 24.5

| Feb high C = 24.8

| Mar high C = 23.0

| Apr high C = 19.9

| May high C = 16.8

| Jun high C = 14.5

| Jul high C = 13.9

| Aug high C = 14.7

| Sep high C = 16.5

| Oct high C = 18.6

| Nov high C = 20.5

| Dec high C = 22.5

| year high C = 19.2

| Jan mean C = 19.1

| Feb mean C = 19.4

| Mar mean C = 17.8

| Apr mean C = 15.2

| May mean C = 12.8

| Jun mean C = 10.8

| Jul mean C = 10.2

| Aug mean C = 10.8

| Sep mean C = 12.2

| Oct mean C = 13.8

| Nov mean C = 15.6

| Dec mean C = 17.3

| year mean C = 14.6

| Jan low C = 13.8

| Feb low C = 13.9

| Mar low C = 12.6

| Apr low C = 10.5

| May low C = 8.9

| Jun low C = 7.1

| Jul low C = 6.6

| Aug low C = 6.9

| Sep low C = 8.0

| Oct low C = 9.1

| Nov low C = 10.7

| Dec low C = 12.1

| year low C = 10.0

| Jan record low C = 4.0

| Feb record low C = 3.1

| Mar record low C = 3.3

| Apr record low C = 1.0

| May record low C = -1.0

| Jun record low C = -1.8

| Jul record low C = -2.2

| Aug record low C = -1.5

| Sep record low C = -0.6

| Oct record low C = 0.0

| Nov record low C = 0.5

| Dec record low C = 2.0

| year record low C = -2.2

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 50.7

| Feb precipitation mm = 53.0

| Mar precipitation mm = 54.5

| Apr precipitation mm = 75.5

| May precipitation mm = 98.1

| Jun precipitation mm = 97.6

| Jul precipitation mm = 102.8

| Aug precipitation mm = 111.4

| Sep precipitation mm = 100.9

| Oct precipitation mm = 83.3

| Nov precipitation mm = 76.5

| Dec precipitation mm = 63.4

| year precipitation mm = 967.8

| unit precipitation days = 1 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 6.4

| Feb precipitation days = 5.4

| Mar precipitation days = 8.0

| Apr precipitation days = 9.7

| May precipitation days = 12.6

| Jun precipitation days = 13.2

| Jul precipitation days = 15.3

| Aug precipitation days = 15.2

| Sep precipitation days = 14.0

| Oct precipitation days = 11.7

| Nov precipitation days = 9.3

| Dec precipitation days = 7.7

| year precipitation days = 128.4

| Jan dew point C = 13.7

| Feb dew point C = 13.9

| Mar dew point C = 12.4

| Apr dew point C = 10.9

| May dew point C = 9.3

| Jun dew point C = 7.7

| Jul dew point C = 6.9

| Aug dew point C = 7.1

| Sep dew point C = 8.1

| Oct dew point C = 9.3

| Nov dew point C = 11.0

| Dec dew point C = 12.1

| year dew point C = 10.2

| source 1 = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/archive/arc0216/0253808/4.4/data/0-data/Region-5-WMO-Normals-9120/Australia/CSV/Wonthaggi_95881.csv

|title = Wonthaggi Climate Normals for 1991-2020

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|format = CSV

|access-date = 13 August 2024}}

| source 2 = Bureau of Meteorology{{Cite web

|title = Climate statistics for Australian locations

|publisher = Bureau of Meteorology

|access-date = 13 August 2024

|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_086127_All.shtml}}

}}

Wonthaggi has three primary schools and one secondary college. Also Chisholm TAFE,{{Citation

| title = Chisholm TAFE |url=http://www.chisholm.edu.au/Locations/Bass_Coast/ | access-date = 2013-10-28}} Bass Coast Specialist School,{{Citation

| title = Bass Coast Specialist School |url=http://basscoastss.vic.edu.au// | access-date = 2013-10-28}} Bass Coast Adult Education Centre,{{Citation

| title = Bass Coast Adult Education Centre |url=http://basscoastadulted.org.au/ | access-date = 2013-10-28}} University of the Third Age (U3A) retirees education centre,{{Citation

| title = University of the Third Age (U3A) |url=http://www.u3awonthaggi.org.au/ | access-date = 2013-10-28}} and Connecting Skills Australia (CSA) specialist developmental school, support and employment services/training.{{Citation | title = Connecting Skills Australia |url=http://www.woorinyan.com.au | access-date = 2013-11-06}} Plans are underway for a new tertiary education facility.{{Citation | title = Bass Coast Shire |url=http://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/Council/Council_Meetings/2012_Council_Meeting_Schedule | access-date = 2013-11-11}}

In 1911, miners formed the Wonthaggi Co-operative Workmen's Club. The Wonthaggi Workmens Club entity still exists today on Graham Street, run as a family bistro, pub and functions/events venue. Miners were also prominent in establishing the local hospital, friendly society dispensary, trade union theatre, and a co-operative store, and in supporting miners in New Zealand in the 1912 Waihi miners' strike. The Union theatre slowly fell into disrepair following the closure of the mines, and in 1980 it was destroyed by fire. It was one of the last buildings associated with the mining era in the town. The Miners' Union donated the land where the Union Theatre had stood to the council, on the condition that any building erected on the site should perpetually bear the name "Union". {{Citation needed|date=January 2016}} It is now the site for the Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre.

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

| title = Street Advisor |url=http://www.streetadvisor.com.au/ | access-date = 2013-10-28}}

• Darren Berry – Victorian cricketer
• Jarryd Blair – AFL footballer
• Sam Docherty – AFL footballer
• Ian Harvey – Australian cricketer
• Elizabeth Honey – author
• James Phelan – author
• Angus McLaren – actor
• James Mollison AO – former director of the National Gallery of Australia
• Rowena Wallace – actor
• Trent West – AFL footballer

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{{Commons category-inline|Wonthaggi, Victoria}}

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{{Bass Coast Shire towns}}

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Category:Coastal towns in Victoria (state)

Category:Mining towns in Victoria (state)

Category:Bass Coast Shire

Category:Towns in Victoria (state)