Maryborough Railway Station by Mattinbgn

Maryborough Vic 3465 (Pop 8 500)

Maryborough is a former goldmining town located in the Central Goldfields 168 km n-w of Melbourne.  Originally inhabited by the Jajowurrong Aborigines, European settlement began in 1840s with the goldmining era spanning from 1851 to 1918. Today Maryborough is an important district service centre with manufacturing, engineering & tourism industries supporting the local economy. Highland Gathering (Jan 1), Agricultural Show (Mar), Energy Breakthrough (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Railway Station, Station St (1890) immense and gracious building about which Mark Twain called “ a railway station with a town attached”.  Maryborough’s finest building contains 25 rooms, a clock tower, Flemish gables and one of the Southern Hemisphere’s longest platforms. Worsley Cottage, Palmerston St (1894) home to the Midlands Historical Society Museum with local history displays, photographs & memorabilia. Open (2pm-5pm) Sun. Central Goldfields Arts Gallery, Neill St housed in the old fire station (1861) with an amazing belltower (1888). Good collection of local artists work. Pioneer Memorial Lookout Tower, Bristol Hill Reserve (1933) great town views (905 m). Lake Victoria (adjacent to Princes Park) attractive recreational reserve and sports complex. Phillips Gardens, Napier St extensive walkways, beautiful trees & picnic spots.   

Nearby:
Aboriginal Wells (4 km south) 4 impressive Jajowurrong Aboriginal sandstone wells. Goldfields Reservoir (Ballarat Rd) (1862) the town’s former water supply is now used for fishing & boating. Paddys Ranges State Park (south) 1 675 h reserve of grey box & red ironbark woodlands, several goldmining relics, 140 native bird species, over 230 wildflower species and various bush trails (Settling Ponds Track, Whipstick Track, Possum Gully Track). Karris Track offers basic bush camping. Timor (8 km north) fascinating old goldmining town with many buildings of interest (Miners Right Store (1852), gaol (1890) & primary school (1863) and mining relics. Cemetery also of interest. Bet Bet (15 km north) ghost town consisting of a dilapidated church and old homesteads.

Accommodation:
Maryborough has 5 motels, 2 hotels, 3 B&Bs and two caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Cnr Alma & Nolan Sts. Tel (03) 5460 4511 or 1800 356 511.