Morwell Travel Guide

Morwell, 148 kilometres east of Melbourne via the Princes Highway is situated in Victoria's energy centre, the Latrobe Valley. In spite of its English-sounding name, the word 'morwell' is thought to derive from an Aboriginal word that is thought to mean 'woolly possum'. Excellent coal and power museum with interesting pieces of old mining equipment set in the heart of the open cut mining area. There are good views of the open-cut mining operation. The main feature is the huge No. 21 Wheel Dredger which was the first of its type to operate in the Morwell mine and was originally used to remove the overburden. The sign records: 'The postwar years brought about radical change to mining methods and the use of this kind of bucketwheel technology is now commonly used throughout the Australian mining industry.' Coal mine and Power Station tours are conducted daily at 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. Contact (03) 5135 3415.