Power Scenic Drive

The Latrobe Valley contains one of the world’s largest coal deposits and nearly 90% of Australia’s brown coal reserves. It currently produces approximately 72% of the State’s electricity. Two coal mines/open cuts feed three major power generating stations (Loy Yang A, Loy Yang B and Yallourn) situated in a 30 kilometre zone. The coal belt runs east-wards from Yallourn almost continuously for over 60 kilometres and ranges between 8 and 20 kilometres wide.  The Latrobe Valley deposit is estimated at 15 to 50 million years old. In geological terms it is young coal, which explains its soft, crumbly texture and high moisture content. These qualities are partly compensated for by the thick seams close to the surface which make it comparatively cheap to be dug in large amounts.

Coal was first discovered in the Latrobe Valley in 1873 and mined on the north side of the Latrobe River by the Great Morwell Coal Mining Company and later by the Victorian Government.  The State Electricity Commission (SECV) was formed in 1921 and by 1924 power began flowing down the transmission lines to Melbourne. To supply an increasing demand, Morwell Power Station commenced in 1958, Hazelwood Power Station in 1964, Yallourn W in 1973,  Loy Yang A in 1984 and Loy Yang B in 1993.

The Power Scenic Drive takes you around the two current coal mining and power generating sites of Yallourn and Loy Yang as well as the former site of Hazelwood, which closed in March 2017.

Whilst on the drive, you can stop at the viewing points along the way or pay a visit to PowerWorks Energy Centre in Morwell or the Old Brown Coal Mine Museum in Yallourn North.

Approximate travel time: 2 hours

You can collect a hard copy of this Power Drive from Latrobe Visitor Information Centre, 32 Kay Street, Traralgon VIC 3844.

Follow the Power Drive Route 98 on Google Maps.