on 11 November 1887 in a nearby area. On 1 August 1910 this office was renamed St Clair and on the same day Powlett Coal Mine Post Office, opened earlier that year, was renamed Wonthaggi. That is when the town was given a permanent name. Wonthaggi celebrated its centenary in 2010 and a book presenting interviews with local residents about the town history was published in 2012. Wonthaggi Wind Farm The Wonthaggi Wind Farm in Campbell Street was built in 2005. It is an environmentally friendly wind power station with six turbines. The Bass Coast Shire Council was opposed to the wind farm along with some local residents. Protesters argued that it would taint the view of Cape Patterson on the trip from Anderson to Wonthaggi and would affect the "recreational tourism and landscape values of the coastline". By September 2005 the six towers had been built, but were themselves a tourist attraction, seen clearly as you drive down the hill towards Wonthaggi from Anderson. The wind farm generates power up to 80% of the time, providing electricity for up to 6000 homes. It can be seen when visiting Williamsons Beach and the Victorian Desalination Plant. Recreation and tourism The State Coal Mine in Wonthaggi was operational from 1910 to 1968 and is now operated by Parks Victoria as a tourist attraction and cafe. Wonthaggi golf course – 18 hole Wonthaggi Museum ArtSpace which is a community art gallery and doubles as the Information Centre Walking, cycling and horse riding is the modern use of the old Wonthaggi railway line all year round. The Bass Coast Rail Trail is very flat and begins at the mine whistle airshaft tower in the centre of town and it ends at the roundabout to Phillip Island. Victoria's only coastal rail trail, it stretches 16 kilometres from Wonthaggi to Anderson. Coastal attractions Williamsons Beach on Lower Powlett Road is located next to the Wonthaggi Wind Farm and the Victorian Desalination Plant. The Victorian Desalination Plant also has a 225-hectare park and 8 km of walking, riding and cycling tracks. Seashell collecting is permitted on Wonthaggi Beaches. Safety Beach on Surf Beach Road Cape Paterson is a popular beach because it has a modified rockpool for swimming. The rockpool was built by miners in the 1960s, at a time when the environment was less of a priority in Australia. Harmers Haven and Wreck Beach on