Discover Yallourn

Yallourn’s history connects a company town built for workers with the later use of the brown coal beneath the town. The Sir John Monash Museum brings engineering, leadership and community together; the Bike Park and Rail Trail complement the historical perspective with opportunities for cycling and walking. If you’re looking for hotels in Yallourn, you can shape your stay around local history or outdoor activities.

The history of a company town

Yallourn was a company town built between the 1920s and 1950s for employees of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. The Commission operated the nearby Yallourn Power Station complex. The town’s history is therefore closely connected with the work and electricity generation for which the settlement was established.

The town plan included a prominent central square beside the shopping area, as well as a tree-lined Broadway between the shopping area and the railway station. A green belt of native vegetation, open parkland, and sports and recreation facilities was also part of the plan. The historic design thus brought together central public spaces, transport links and green spaces in a shared concept.

In the early 1980s, the town of Yallourn was removed so that the rich brown coal deposits beneath it could be used for the Yallourn W Power Station. The historical arc therefore spans the establishment of a company town for workers and the town’s removal to make use of the deposit. This sequence helps place Yallourn’s industrial history in context.

The Sir John Monash Museum

The Sir John Monash Museum is located at the Yallourn Production Centre. It presents engineering, leadership, community and the ongoing work of building a better world as a connected story. The focus is therefore not just on technology: leadership and community are linked to the ongoing work of creating a better world. For travellers interested in Yallourn’s industrial background, the museum offers a thematic perspective that considers these aspects together.

Bike Park and Rail Trails

Yallourn is home to the Haunted Hills Bike Park. Its 13 kilometres of progressive trails cover a range from beginner level to “Level Gnarly”. The park also has a pump track and a kids’ trail. The facilities therefore bring together several trail and park formats, without requiring every visitor to enjoy the same kind of cycling.

The Moe to Yallourn Rail Trail follows an old railway branch line through rural scenery to the Yallourn Power Station. It is 8.5 kilometres long, with a stated walking time of four hours in one direction. The Yallourn to Moe Rail Trail is also 8.5 kilometres long, short, flat and scenic. It is suitable for walking or cycling. As trail conditions can change and published figures may be revised, check the latest trail information before setting out.

Notable species occur along the Yallourn to Moe Rail Trail: Green Scentbark (Eucalyptus fulgens) and Strzelecki Gum (Eucalyptus strzeleckii). The route therefore has a specific botanical connection in addition to its former railway line and rural scenery. The two species are found along the trail; this does not mean that they occur specifically within Yallourn.

When choosing between the outdoor options, their different formats are the main consideration: Haunted Hills Bike Park brings together progressive trails, a pump track and a kids’ trail, while the Rail Trail is described as a route through rural scenery for walking and cycling. This lets you distinguish between a park-based option and a longer trail when planning your trip, and choose what best suits your interests.

For an overview of the wider area: Latrobe City.