2 hours east of Melbourne and 45 minutes west of our hometown is the Latrobe Valley region, home to the large towns of Traralgon, Morwell, Moe and some smaller towns such as Churchill, Yinnar, Glengarry, and Tyers The Valley, as it’s locally known, is not a tourist destination, it is not a place you’re likely to hear people say they went to for the weekend.
Most overnight visitors come when regional events such as the ITF Traralgon Junior Tennis Tournament, the Gippsland Latrobe Football League Finals or for performances at the performing arts centre
Most people know the Latrobe Valley as an industrial area of Victoria, with power stations and heavy industry. It is more a place to stop for people traveling from Melbourne to Walhalla, the Gippsland Lakes, and beyond.
Have you stopped in the Latrobe Valley?
So what is there to do in the Latrobe Valley for families who want to stop for a few hours to break up their journey, or who maybe are staying overnight for a junior basketball tournament?
What can families do in Morwell?
Morwell has a population of 15,000 and is shrinking all the time. With the partial closing of the power stations such as Hazelwood, the town has a feel of desperation about it. The main town centre feels old with many closed shops, while the Mid Valley Shopping Centre (mall) is starting to show its age.
Powerworks Museum – Morwell
Opening Hours: 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 1-3 pm
Address: Bridge Road, Morwell, just off the Princess Highway
I really enjoyed a visit to Powerworks, and it’s something that older kids will find interesting, with huge machines and scientific displays. You will see old pictures and operating machinery taken from the old decommissioned stations, as well as scale models of diggers that worked the coal fields. It was a real eye-opener to see pictures of the first miners living in tents in paddocks as the coal mines were being established.
It’s run by ex-workers who loved their jobs. Just a bunch of grown men driving big trucks and diggers, who wouldn’t love their job? You can hear how proud they were of what they did in the stories they tell you.
The number 21 dredger on display at Power Works is Victorian heritage, listed as an example of an early bucketwheel excavator. It was made in Germany in the early 50’s and worked till the mid-90s. This machine is huge and weighs 750 tonnes. My first thought was it’s a transformer in hiding! There are some interactive electricity displays and much more.
- For more information, check the PowerWorks website
Things to do in Morwell – visit Lake Kernot
Address: Princes Drive, Morwell
Lake Kernot is a stunning area in the middle of Morwell, with its trees, walking track, picnic tables and wildlife. Latrobe City Council, along with Fisheries Victoria, stock Kernot Lake with fish every year to make your Latrobe Valley holidays fun.
Kernot Lake is a great place to take the kids fishing in the middle of Morwell or even to ride their bikes.
The lake is a popular destination with anglers from Traralgon and the Latrobe Valley. Why not pack a bbq and make a day of it, you can use the BBQ facilities and toilets.
There is a Gippsland Heritage Walk that takes you around the lake and explains the history of Gippsland for you. The Gippsland Heritage Walk is not to be missed for combining a little learning with fun things to do in your Latrobe Valley holidays, such as fishing. You can order your fishing gear at BCF online and pick it up at the Traralgon store.
MidValley Village 8 Cinema
Address: Mid Valley Shopping Centre, 72-82 Princes Drive, Morwell Victoria 3840
Whats on: https://villagecinemas.com.au/movies?cinemaId=320&tab=sessions
For those that are happy to go and see a movie, the Village Cinemas Morwell is an 8-screen complex that is located at the Mid Valley Shopping Centre. The Village Cinemas Morwell shows the latest blockbusters for the whole family.
Morwell 10 Pin Bowling – Wynn City Entertainment Centre
When is Morwell 10-pin bowling open? Monday – Thursday 9-10pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am – 11 pm, Sunday 9 am – 8.30pm
Where is WYNCITY Morwell: 44- 48 Chickerell St, Morwell, Victoria
More of an all-around entertainment centre than just a bowling alley, Wyncity is a standout fun centre for people looking for things to do in Gippsland. The Morwell Bowling Alley features 16 bowling lanes for family fun.
All lanes have side bumpers to make it more fun for the small kids. Send the kids on a mission to a far, far away land with Space-age laser tag. Make your way through the laser lights and smoke and score the most hits to win.
After doing a revamp of the entertainment area early in 2025, WynnCity has introduced the popular Pixel Games to its lineup, along with a new Cafe area.
There is a café onsite that sells kids’ favorites such as chicken nuggets, hot dogs and similar fare, you know the type, something to suit everyone at Morwell ten-pin bowling.
- One game of bowling is $18.
- One lane for an hour with up to 6 people is $85.
- One game of Laser Tag is $15.
As someone who goes to WynCity weekly, it is best to call up and book a lane or see if any are available. The place gets really busy.
- For more information, check the WYNCITY website