Korumburra - Places to See

Coal Creek Heritage Village
The Coal Creek Heritage Village, on the South Gippsland Highway, consists of a collection of around fifty buildings which are either directly relocated (and restored) or faithfully copied from the mining towns of the area c.1890-1900. It is located upon the original site of the Coal Creek Mine, the first profitable black coal mine in Victoria, and situated upon thirty acres of land, which have been replanted with native flora in an attempt to recreate the rainforest environment of the original township. Some of its features include the poppet head, the mine manager's residence, the Premier Carriage Factory, a cordial factory, a railway station, a printer's shop with olden-style typesetting, a school and church, the mine tunnel, for a glimpse of life underground, original settler's cottages, including Edward Hobsen's wattle-and-daub hut (c.1842), milking displays, a mine explosion and horse-drawn vehicle rides. It is closed until 2008.

Old Coalmining Sites
There are several ex-coalmining sites around Korumburra. 2 km east along the highway towards Leongatha is the six-hectare Ritchie Reserve which contains mine shafts and skip tracks in a setting of manna and blue gum and large tree ferns. Jimburra, 6 km south-west is an old coalmining town. So, too, between 1895 and 1915, was Outtrim, 10 km south-west of Korumburra. It still retains the old school, and some mullock heaps, brick walls and old tracks.

Other Activities
Nearby Cooks Hill provides an impressive view of the area, including Bass Strait and the Strzelecki Ranges. A cairn near the town's golf course commemorates Paul Strzelecki's exploration of the area, c.1840. The trip to Leongatha via Arawata, about 10 km north-east of Korumburra, is a pleasant drive.

Kongwak Hills
Kongwak Hills, established in 1989, produces riesling, semillon, chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz and cabernet/merlot. The cellar door is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. weekends and public holidays. Picnic facilities are available. It is located on Kongwak Rd at Kongwak, to the south-east of Korumburra, en route to Wonthaggi, tel: (03) 5657 3267.

Paradise Enough Winery
Paradise Enough Winery, established in 1987, produces chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet, merlot and sparkling wine. The cellar door is open from midday to 5.00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays or by appointment. There are picnic, barbecue and children's play facilities. The winery is located 1.6 km off the Korumburra-Inverloch Rd in Stewart's Road, tel: (03) 5657 4241.

Gooseneck Pottery
A wide range of handthrown wood-fired stoneware pots are available from Gooseneck Pottery. Visitors can inspect the workshop, kiln and pots on weekends, public holidays and most weekdays from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: (03) 5655 2405.