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History & heritage

South Gippsland has a fascinating history shaped by the Bunurong people, early European settlement, farming, timber, fishing, gold, coal mining and the development of small country towns. Across the Prom Coast you can discover historic buildings, museums, heritage railways, old mining sites, cemeteries, maritime history and stories of the people who helped shape the region.

  • Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse

    Visit one of Victoria's most historic lighthouses, built in 1859 at the southern tip of Wilsons Promontory to guide ships through the dangerous waters of Bass Strait.

  • Wilsons Promontory Lightstation

    Take the challenging walk to the historic Lightstation and explore the remote location, historic buildings and spectacular coastal scenery.

  • Bunurong Aboriginal Heritage

    Learn about the traditional connection of the Bunurong people to the coast, waterways, forests and islands of South Gippsland.

  • Bunurong Coastal Heritage

    Discover Aboriginal middens, cultural sites and the long history of the Bunurong people along the Bass Strait coastline.

  • Dinosaur DreamingInverloch

    Explore one of Australia's most significant dinosaur fossil locations, where important fossils have been discovered along the coast near Inverloch.

  • Inverloch Dinosaur & Fossil History

    Learn about the remarkable fossil discoveries along the Inverloch coastline and the dinosaurs that lived in the region millions of years ago.

  • Bunurong Environment CentreInverloch

    Learn more about local Aboriginal heritage, fossils, marine life, geology and the natural history of the Bunurong Coast.

  • Coal Creek Community Park & MuseumKorumburra

    Step back into the past at this large open-air heritage museum, with historic buildings, machinery, demonstrations and stories of early South Gippsland life.

  • State Coal MineWonthaggi

    Go underground at Victoria's only publicly accessible coal mine and discover the dangerous working conditions experienced by miners during the region's coal-mining era.

  • Wonthaggi Heritage

    Explore the town's strong connection to coal mining, including historic buildings, mining relics, museums and stories of the workers who built the community.

  • Leongatha Heritage

    Discover the history of one of South Gippsland's major rural centres, including its early farming, railway and commercial development.

  • Korumburra Heritage

    Explore Korumburra's history as an important coal-mining and farming town, with heritage buildings and attractions throughout the town.

  • Loch Historic Village

    Wander through one of South Gippsland's most picturesque historic towns, with beautifully preserved buildings, old shopfronts, galleries, cafés and reminders of its railway and farming past.

  • Koonwarra Heritage

    Discover the history of this small farming community and its development around agriculture, the railway and the surrounding fertile countryside.

  • Meeniyan Heritage

    Explore the historic village streets and discover the town's early connections with farming, timber and the railway.

  • Fish Creek Heritage

    Learn about the history of this colourful Prom Coast town, which developed as a farming community and later became known for its artists, galleries and connection to Wilsons Promontory.

  • Foster Heritage

    Discover Foster's origins as a gold-mining settlement and explore the historic buildings and streets that reflect its development into a major South Gippsland farming centre.

  • Foster & Toora Goldfields

    Learn about the gold discoveries that attracted miners to South Gippsland during the late 19th century and helped establish several local settlements.

  • Toora Heritage

    Explore the history of this small farming and timber town, including its early industries and connection to the surrounding hills and Corner Inlet.

  • Port Welshpool Maritime History

    Discover the area's long connection with fishing, shipping, timber and maritime trade around Corner Inlet.

  • Port Franklin Fishing Heritage

    Learn about the fishing traditions of this small coastal community and its long connection with the waters of Corner Inlet.

  • Port Welshpool Long Jetty

    Visit the historic jetty and learn about its importance to shipping and transport in South Gippsland while enjoying views across Corner Inlet.

  • Walkerville Lime Kilns

    Explore the remains of the historic lime-burning industry at Walkerville, where limestone was once processed in large kilns before being shipped around the coast.

  • Walkerville Heritage Trail

    Discover the remains of the old settlement, lime industry and historic buildings that tell the story of Walkerville's unusual industrial past.

  • Cape Paterson Heritage

    Explore the area's early coal-mining history and the remains of one of Victoria's earliest coal-mining settlements.

  • Kernot Historic Bridge

    Visit one of the region's historic rural bridges and discover the engineering and transport history of early South Gippsland.

  • Old Railway Lines & Railway Heritage

    Follow the history of the railway network that once connected South Gippsland's farming towns and helped transport passengers, timber, livestock and produce.

  • South Gippsland Railway Heritage

    Discover the important role railways played in opening up the region, with historic railway stations, bridges, former railway routes and heritage sites found throughout the countryside.

  • Historic Country Pubs

    Step inside some of South Gippsland's historic hotels and country pubs, many of which have served local communities for generations.

  • Historic Churches & Cemeteries

    Explore old churches, cemeteries and memorials throughout the region, providing a glimpse into the lives of early settlers and farming families.

  • Heritage Buildings & Town Walks

    Take a self-guided walk through South Gippsland's towns to discover historic shopfronts, hotels, homes, churches and civic buildings.

  • Historic Farms & Farming Heritage

    Discover the agricultural history of South Gippsland, from dairy farming and cattle to timber, crops and the small family farms that shaped the region.

  • Timber Industry Heritage

    Learn about the huge timber industry that once operated throughout the Strzelecki Ranges, with historic sawmills, tramways and timber settlements leaving their mark on the landscape.

  • Gold Mining Heritage

    Explore the legacy of the gold rush around Foster, Toora and the surrounding hills, where prospectors once searched the creeks and forests for gold.

  • Coal Mining Heritage

    Discover the important role coal played in the development of Wonthaggi, Korumburra and surrounding communities.

  • Maritime Heritage

    Explore South Gippsland's long connection with Bass Strait, Corner Inlet and Western Port through its fishing villages, jetties, lighthouses, shipwrecks and coastal industries.

  • Historic Town Road Trip

    Create a heritage road trip through Loch, Korumburra, Leongatha, Koonwarra, Meeniyan, Foster, Fish Creek, Toora and Port Welshpool, stopping at historic buildings, museums and local heritage attractions along the way.

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