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 Kernott
Address: Princes Drive, Morwell
Lake Kernott 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
Things to do in Latrobe Valley – Morwell River Falls
Address: Morwell Tiver Falls Road, Boolarra Victoria 3870
One of the real hidden gems in the Latrobe Valley is the Morwell Falls. If you and your kids like getting outdoors and into nature, the Morwell River Falls Reserve is a good place to explore.
The Morwell River Falls are a short drive from Morwell towards Boolara. A walking trail from the car park leads you to a small picnic area where you can enjoy a picnic before continuing to the falls.
It is an easy walk through some stunning native forests surrounded by ferns. Be mindful that the track can be quite wet and slippery in parts. The Falls are not accessible for people in wheel chairs and can be difficult to access if you have mobility issues. The trail will take you past several small but impressive waterfalls on the Morwell River.
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Things to do in Moe with kids
Moe is home to 16,000 residents and is the first town in the Latrobe Valley that you come across coming from Melbourne.
Things to do in the Latrobe Valley with kids – Old Gippstown
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
Address: 211 Lloyd Street , Moe, 3825 Victoria
Old Gippstown has been around for what seems like forever. I remember first visiting it when I was in primary school. This would have been around 35 years ago. My daughters are now in primary school and have visited Old Gippstown in the last few years on school excursions. It is one of the oldest Gippsland attractions.
Old Gippstown is exactly what it says it is—a collection of authentic buildings from Gippsland dating back from the 1840s through to the 1930s. The site covers an area of 8 acres and features several National Trust-classified buildings.
The minute you walk into Old GippsTown, it is like being taken back in time, I half expected to see a horse-drawn cart coming up the street!
Entry Cost: Adults: $15Concession: $12Children (Under 12): $8Family Pass $35(2 x Adults 3 x Child under 12)
Old Gippstown Moe is an excellent display of what life was like in this region of Australia. Old Gippstown has, in recent years, expanded to include Ghost Tours, market days and more.
- For more information, check the Old Gippstown website
Fun things to do in Traralgon
Traralgon is the largest town in the Latrobe Valley, it is the business and commercial centre of the region. It has a growing population of over 26,000 people, with the Princes Highway running through the middle of town.
Jump and Climb
Opening Hours: Friday-Monday (book online for times)
Where is Jump and Climb Traralgon:
62 Eastern Road, Traralgon 3844 Victoria
Jump and Climb is a multi-activity centre offering a number of activities around jumping and climbing. If you just want to jump around, try some high bouncing and somersaults you can, you can also play dodgeball, trampoline basketball and do slam dunks.
Having been to Jump and Climb several times for birthday parties, work and with my own kids, i can tell you this place is fun for both kids and adults. A firm favorite is the airbag jump, where you can try all sorts of jumps with no chance of injury.
For kids from 4 years old up and adults, there is the Clip and Climb option. You will find several climbing walls and challenges to take on with 3 difficulty levels to challenge beginners and experienced climbers.
- For more information, check the Jump and Climb website
- 1 Hour jump session $22.00
- 2 Hours Jump and Climb combo $40
The Butter Factory 10-pin bowling – Traralgon
When is the Butterfactory open: Thursday – Saturday, 11 am – 11 pm and Sunday – Wednesday, 11 am – 10 pm
Where is the Butterfactory: 192 Franklin St, Traralgon, Victoria 3844
New to Traralgon in late 2021 is the Butter Factory Bar and Bistro. Besides being a great place to eat and drink, the Butterfactory has a 4-lane 10-pin bowling alley in the back. This funky establishment in Traralgon has neon lighting, bowling lanes that are quite unique and create a fun atmosphere for a little fam,ily competition.
- 1 game: $18 per adult, $12 under 16’s
- 2 games: $32 ($16 a game) per adult, $20 ($10 a game) under 16’s
Things to do around Traralgon – Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre
When is the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre Opened? Different facilities are opened at different times during the week, you’d best check out the opening hours on the website here.
Where is the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre: 49 Breed St, Traralgon 3844
This huge indoor and outdoor facility at Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre features 3 indoor pools, one outdoor pool, gym, spa, sauna and steam rooms. The fun things for kids are the aqua indoor play area with climbing frames, tipping buckets and small water slides. For the more adventurous kids, there are 2 full-sized waterslides for fun and excitement in Traralgon, Gippsland.
Things to do near Traralgon – Parkys Fun Park
Opening Hours: 8 am -6pm, 7 days a week
Where is Parkys Wonderland: 5353 Princes Highway, Traralgon VIC 3844
Parkys is not quite in Traralgon and not quite in Morwell. It lies between both cities on the Princes Highway. It’s one of the things to do around Traralgon. Parkys Fun Park in Traralgon now consists of 4 different play facilities.
These include our 18-hole mini golf, Parky’s Putt Putt, Parky’s Adventure Rope Course, Parky’s Laser Tag and of course, everyone’s favourite Parky’s Wonderland Indoor Play Centre.
- Mini Golf $10 – All ages
- Ropes Course $25 Public 1 hr session
- $15 – 2 games/30mins
Parky Fun Park is part of the Big 4 Caravan Park. You can stay at Parky Big 4 Tourist Park and receive a discount on your entry fee. This multi-activity fun park is one of the best things to do in Gippsland with kids and makes for quite a day out.
We hope this article from us here at Wyld Family Travel has inspired you to visit Gippsland and stay in the Latrobe Valley. There are so many things to do in the Latrobe Valley with kids that will have you entertained for your family’s whole stay.
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Who Wrote This Article?
- Some of the images are courtesy of the Old Gippstown Website, Wyncity website and Jump and climb Traralgon Website
Great recommendations! My son would definitely love the Power Works Museum – Morwell (we visit any and all technical and science-related museums!)
Aw, my nephew would love some of these spots! I’m not a kid and I would actually love to jump on the trampolines and climb those walls, haha. Forever young! I love and miss Aus, hopefully, I can bring my fam one day.
These all sound like fun activities for children. I would love to visit Old Gippstown. I love visiting old towns like this as it has so much history. Plus, I like looking at vintage buildings and artifacts and be taken back in time. It would be cool if a horse did show up!
I have a fascination with well-preserved old towns and Old Gippstown has caught my attention! I would love to pick up confectioneries from the Old Town Store. Also, thank you for acknowledging abuses towards the indigenous in the form of giving us a bit of background on Angus Mcmillian.
This looks like a cute place! I am originally from Pennsylvania and we have a town called Latrobe, so I was confused at first until I saw it’s in Australia 🙂
I love reading your in-depth posts about Australia – I haven’t spent much time in Victoria even though it is in my home country but this definitely makes me more curious to visit Latrobe Valley.
All the activities sound like so much fun! I’d love to visit and try the Jump & Climb — not sure if I’d be great at it, but it looks amazing! I love quaint old towns so I’m sure I’d love Gippstown!