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Maryborough visitors guide

Posted 02/03/2021 in Things to do

Situated in the heart of the Victorian Goldfields, Maryborough is filled with grand 19th century architecture and surrounded by box-ironbark forests, gold mining history and a variety of beautiful historic townships. As well as visiting local cafes, restaurants, markets and nearby wineries, visitors can explore the region's gold rush history and pastoral roots through the area's many museums, galleries and historic sites.

Gold prospecting is popular attraction, with countless significant gold nuggets unearthed throughout the region since the 1850s gold rush. The world-famous Welcome Stranger was discovered in nearby Moliagul in 1869.

This visitors guide assembles information and resources for both locals and tourists to explore Maryborough's:

Top attractions
Swimming spots
Campgrounds
Gold rush history
Gold prospecting information
Playgrounds
Attractions in the surrounding areas

Things to do in Maryborough

Goldfields Reservoir

Goldfields Reservoir, Maryborough VIC

Goldfields Reservoir is a peaceful lake on the outskirts of Maryborough which features a picnic area, nature playground, and a scenic walking track. This is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, picnicking and bushwalking.

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Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria, Maryborough VIC

This gorgeous ornamental lake in Maryborough is celebrated for its resident swans, beautifully forested islands, scenic walking track and excellent visitor facilities. Princes Park Playground sits alongside the lake, where you will also find free electric barbecues, undercover areas, picnic tables, rubbish bins and a toilet block. A well formed gravel walking/cycling track travels in a circuit around the lake with abundant varieties of trees and water birds to see along the way. This is a great spot for feeding the ducks with children. The walk also takes you past the Maryborough Caravan Park, the outdoor swimming pool, and various sporting facilities including ball courts and an oval.

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Bristol Hill Lookout

Bristol Hill Lookout in Maryborough VIC

The Bristol Hill Pioneer Memorial Tower was built in 1933 during the Great Depression. It was based upon and named after Bristol Reef, which was mined from the late 1850's. It was constructed largely of material from the old Maryborough Gaol. The tower is located at the edge of Bristol Hill Reserve and offers amazing views of the town and surrounding bushland.

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Battery Dam and Distillery Historic Site

Battery Dam and Distillery, Daisy Hill VIC

The Battery Dam Historic Site is located just outside Maryborough in the Craigie State Forest. The area was used during the gold rush to crush and process quartz from mines in the area. After gold processing operations ceased, some of the equipment was adapted to be used for a eucalyptus distillery. Today it features a picnic area, walking tracks, gold processing and eucalyptus distillery relics, and beautifully illustrated information signs.

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Tunnel Hill Bushland Reserve

Tunnel Hill Mine, Talbot VIC

The Tunnel Hill Bushland Reserve in Talbot houses an abandoned gold mine tunnel which runs in a straight line under a small hill and has an opening at each end. The mine entrance is closed for visitor safety with a locked gate, but you can look in and get a great view down the tunnel. The whole reserve is great for birdwatching, bushwalking, cycling, horse riding and gold prospecting.

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Settling Pond Track Picnic Area

Settling Pond Track Picnic Area, Daisy Hill VIC

Pack a picnic or barbecue lunch and spend an afternoon exploring the natural and historical features of Paddys Ranges State Park near Maryborough, beginning at this excellent picnic area along Settling Pond Track. Multiple picnic tables and wood fire barbecues are set among the trees, along with a large information display, water tank/tap, and a single toilet.

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Phillips Botanical Gardens

Phillips Botanical Gardens, Maryborough VIC

Phillips Botanical Gardens is a beautiful little park in Maryborough, featuring an ornamental lake, scenic walking track, picnic tables, and shaded grassy lawns. A walking track circles the little lake and features educational signs at various points along the way. As you stroll around the lake you'll pass a wetland area, grassed areas, and many interesting tree species. There are ducks as well as several other bird species, and growling grass frogs can often be heard.

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Grand Duke Mine

Grand Duke Mine, Timor VIC

Head out to Timor and check out the Grand Duke mine site, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the area's rich gold mining history. The impressive stone arch is all that remains of the pump house that used to remove water from this mine. Information signs provide details about the site's history and features, and a picnic table sits alongside the parking area.

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537 oz Gold Nugget Monument

537 oz Gold Nugget Monument, Maryborough VIC

Take a walk through the Craigie State Forest and explore the historically significant landscape of Blackmans Lead, along with this stone monument commemorating the 1858 discovery of a 537 ounce gold nugget!

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Timor's Cursed Grave

Cursed grave at the Timor Cemetery, Timor VIC

Many people have heard of the Walhalla Cemetery's famous cursed grave in Gippsland VIC, which bears an inscription foretelling the doom of all those who stand over the tomb. Did you know that there is a grave in Timor which bears the very same inscription? Both men died in mining accidents, six years and 350 km apart.

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Maryborough Railway Station

Maryborough Railway Station. Image source: TripAdvisor

Built in 1890, the grand railway station at Maryborough is a remarkable building which has been meticulously restored, with elaborate features including tessellated tile flooring, polished timber ceiling, clock tower and large covered platform. Today you can visit the Maryborough Railway Station to appreciate the architecture as well as enjoy meals and refreshments at the Railway Cafe & Tracks Bar. The Museum of Australian History and Art lies at the northern end of the station and displays gold rush relics and aboriginal artefacts, along with art pieces and handmade furniture.

Click for more information on the Railway Cafe & Tracks Bar and the Museum of Australian History and Art

Possum Gully Fine Arts

Image source: Possum Gully Fine Arts

The Gallery near Maryborough is an interesting mud brick structure set in a beautiful garden which forms a natural background for the many pieces of garden sculpture. Plants from the new Gallery Nursery compliment the garden sculpture. Wander amongst the greenery or sit a while in a cool spot and admire the original works. The specialised nursery features Bonsai, Kokedamas and rare/unusual plants for sale to the public.

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Worsley Cottage Museum Complex

Image source: Worsley Cottage Museum Complex Facebook Page

This gorgeous 1894 bluestone cottage is the home of the Maryborough Midlands Historical Society. Furnished with period pieces, the cottage houses a display of historical photographs and relics. A remarkable 1844 wooden slab squatters hut stands out the back, originally located on the Joyce Brothers' Plaistow Run in Joyces Creek, and the oldest surviving building in the district!

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Sew What Maryborough

Image source: Sew What Maryborough Facebook page.

Sew What Maryborough provides sewing machine repairs, sales, private antique collection and a travelling museum. Visitors can view the collection by appointment.

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Maryborough Paramount Theatre

Image Source: Maryborough Paramount Theatre

The recently renovated Maryborough Paramount Theatre brings entertainment back to Maryborough, with the original 1920s building retaining its historical facade while enjoying a modern make-over inside.

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Central Goldfields Visitor Information Centre

Image source: Visit Melbourne

Stop in at the Central Goldfields Visitor Information Centre and discover all of the region's interesting attractions and upcoming events. With friendly, knowledgeable staff and an extensive collection of local resources, the Central Goldfields Visitor Information Centre makes a fantastic first stop on your visit to the Maryborough region!

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Central Goldfields Art Gallery

Image source: Central Goldfields Shire Council

Housed in the stunning 1861 Fire Station building, the Central Goldfields Art Gallery, this Council-run gallery displays a diverse program of exhibitions, including the permanent collection, works by local artists and touring exhibitions.

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Swimming spots around Maryborough

Online guide for the best swimming spots near Maryborough

There are plenty of fantastic swimming spots around Maryborough, including:

Goldfields Reservoir
Deep Creek
O'Sullivan-Tilley Memorial Park
Cairn Curran Reservoir
Three Bridges
Hamiltons Crossing
Picnic Point
Mount Cameron Gorge
Waanyarra Bushland Reserve
Laanecoorie Reservoir
Laanecoorie River Recreation Reserve
Bealiba Reservoir

Check them all out in our detailed guide for the best swimming spots near Maryborough

Free campgrounds around Maryborough

Online guide for the best free campgrounds near Maryborough

The Maryborough region hosts a great collection of free campgrounds! Whether you're looking to explore historical sites, head out gold prospecting, or settle in for a few days fishing and swimming, there are plenty of options within half an hour of Maryborough, including:

Paddys Ranges Campground
19th Century Chinese Baths
Avoca Lions Club Park
Hamiltons Crossing
Stoney Creek Track Campground
Laanecoorie River Recreation Reserve
Butts Reserve
Waanyarra Recreation Site
Moliagul Campground
The Dam Campground
Manna Gums Campground
Bealiba Reservoir
Cork Oaks Campground

Check them all out in our detailed guide for the best free campgrounds near Maryborough

Explore gold rush history

Information sign at the Battery Dam and Distillery Historic Site

The Central Goldfields Shire is filled with significant relics and remnants of a bygone era. Long-forgotten gold mining relics are scattered through the whole area. Gold puddlers, cornish boilers, cyanide vats, mine shafts, mine tunnels, battery sites, and monuments commemorating significant gold discoveries can be found hidden away throughout the local bushland.

Check out our guide to some of the most interesting mining ruins and relics throughout the Central Goldfields

gold prospecting around Maryborough

Online gold prospecting guide for Maryborough, VIC

Maryborough is a popular destination for gold prospectors. Countless massive gold nuggets have been found throughout the region since the 1850s, with significant discoveries still being unearthed today! If you're interested in trying your luck gold prospecting around Maryborough, whether it's with a gold detector, gold pan, or sluice, we've put together this handy guide to get you started.

Check out our gold prospecting guide for Maryborough, Victoria