Families brave the elements for Halloween at the State Coal Mine
Hundreds of local families celebrated Halloween at Wonthaggi’s historic State Coal Mine with threatening skies and chilly weather failing to dampen the All Hallows spirits.
THREATENING skies and chilly weather were not enough to dampen the spirits of hundreds of local families who gathered at Wonthaggi’s historic State Coal Mine for a spectacularly spooky Halloween celebration on Saturday night.
While Mother Nature looked set to disrupt the festivities, the rain held off, allowing attendees to showcase their scary collection of highly creative costumes.
The historic site was quickly filled with laughter as children, parents and friends transformed the State Coal Mine into a vibrant, family-friendly wonderland.
The centrepiece of the evening was the spectacularly spooky Train Carriage.
Located in a beautifully restored railway carriage near the mine's underground entrance, the exhibition provided Halloween revellers with a world of mystery and adventure, children and adults alike marvelling at the eerie decorations.
Beyond the train carriage the event offered a host of activities that kept the energetic crowd entertained. Long queues formed for face painting, turning eager children into ghoulish creatures, while others enjoyed interactive colouring stations.
A major highlight for the younger participants was the local Country Fire Authority.
Firefighters helped the children operate real CFA water apparatus, leading to treasured moments of excitement when water came spouting from the hoses.
The Wonthaggi Football Netball Club kept hunger at bay, filling the night air with the irresistible aroma of a traditional community sausage sizzle.
Families visited the Mine Café for special seasonal treats and games and wandered through the site's rich historical displays. Organised by the Friends of the State Coal Mine, the event wrapped up with immense gratitude from the organisers.
Volunteers extended a massive thank you to everyone who rugged up, braved the weather, and contributed to making the spooky night a resounding success.
The Wonthaggi State Coal Mine Cafe is open daily from 9am to 4pm with the State Coal Mine itself open from 10am to 4pm daily. For more information on the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine or to make a booking for an underground tour go to parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/state-coal-mine-heritage-area/things-to-do/state-coal-mine
Friends of the State Coal Mine can be found on Facebook or Instagram.
