Located 132
kms south-east of Melbourne, Wonthaggi was opened as a State Coal Mining
town in 1908. Famous as an historic coal mining town, with a name said
to derive from the local Aboriginal language and meaning either home
or to pull along, Wonthaggi is 40 m above sea level. It is also the
main shopping centre for the Bass Coast region. Displayed in front the
Wonthaggi Hotel are the giant jaw bones of a 32 metre whale that was washed up
on a beach nearby in 1923. There are several reserves and parks, and a
tree-lined boulevard and war memorial.
With Inverloch just to the east, Wonthaggi provides a great resting stop
before continuing onto Phillip Island and Melbourne.
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