Maryborough Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Maryborough
Visit this charming colonial city along the Mary River to enter the magical world of Mary Poppins, jump aboard an old steam train and browse local art exhibits.

Whether you come here to walk through its heritage streets, browse its art galleries or attend its markets and festivals, Maryborough is worth a little detour if you are exploring the Fraser Coast.

Discover the city's past as a major port city at Maryborough’s Bollards, seven colorful statues beside the Mary River that represent a captain welcoming a family of immigrants in the 1860s. Thousands of new arrivals from the U.K. took their first steps on Australian soil at the Port of Maryborough.

Maryborough was the birthplace of Helen Lyndon Goff. This local dancer and actress became a famous author in England, where she created the extraordinary nanny called Mary Poppins under the pen name of P.L. Travers. Pose with the Mary Poppins Statue outside her place of birth on central Kent Street. Other artworks and plaques in town also refer to her early life and her popular children’s books written between 1934 and 1988, which inspired Disney movies and a Broadway musical.

The nearby Maryborough Town Hall Green was home to the original Maryborough court house, police station and gaol. As you walk along Adelaide Street, look for the Five O'clock Whistle, four large etchings depicting factory workers cycling home after work.

On Thursdays or the last Sunday of the month, jump aboard the Mary Ann, a full-sized replica of the first steam locomotive ever built in Queensland.

Join a free morning walk from City Hall with a local guide dressed in a period costume. Explore the museums, vintage restaurants and art galleries in the former wharf district. Don’t miss the town’s oldest surviving commercial buildings, the Gatakers Building and the warehouse behind it which is now the Gatakers Artspace.

To get to Maryborough, you can drive, take the special Tilt Train or fly to nearby Hervey Bay from Brisbane. Time your visit so that you can take in one of Maryborough’s many community events, including the City Heart Markets on Thursdays in Adelaide and Ellena streets and Sunday in the Park, a festival heldduring the final weekend of each month. The most magical event of all is the Mary Poppins Festival, a 10-day celebration with music and storytelling held in winter.

Where to stay in Maryborough

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Tinana

Travellers like the riverfront in Tinana, and Police Paddock Conservation Park is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Tinana
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Granville

While Granville isn't home to many top sights, Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum and Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre are some notable places to visit nearby.

Granville
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St Helens

While there might not be top attractions in St Helens, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre and Portside.

St Helens
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Oakhurst

While Oakhurst may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Portside and Baddow Island Conservation Park.

Oakhurst
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Maryborough West

Maryborough West might not have many top sights, but Portside and Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Maryborough West
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Aldershot

Plan a visit to nearby attractions like Baddow Island Conservation Park while you're exploring Aldershot and the larger area.

Aldershot
McNevin's Maryborough Motel
McNevin's Maryborough Motel
4 out of 5
188 John Street, Maryborough, QLD
The price is £78 per night from 16 Apr to 17 Apr
£78
per night
16 Apr - 17 Apr
Stay at this 4-star motel in Maryborough. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (405 reviews)
P
"Close to main part of Maryborough and things to do. Pub across the road and food was ok for us. Wi-Fi worked ok while there."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

McNevin's Maryborough Motel
Ned Kelly's Motel
Ned Kelly's Motel
4 out of 5
148 Gympie Road, Tinana, QLD
Stay at this 4-star motel in Maryborough. Enjoy free parking, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (371 reviews)
"The ladies at Ned Kellys were very welcoming & easy to deal with. Unfortunately, my stay was marred by the fact my vehicle was damaged. the staff couldn't be more helpful during a very stressful time for me"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Ned Kelly's Motel
Blue Shades Motel
Blue Shades Motel
4 out of 5
35-39 Ferry Street, Maryborough, QLD
The price is £80 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
£80
per night
29 Mar - 30 Mar
Stay at this 4-star motel in Maryborough. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (353 reviews)
"convenient for our needs and would stay again"

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Blue Shades Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rainforest Retreat Opal Room
Rainforest Retreat Opal Room
Maryborough, QLD
Stay at this holiday home in Maryborough. Enjoy free WiFi, on-site parking and a garden. Popular attractions Baddow Island Conservation Park and Portside are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Very charming and comfortable room with nice owner. Owner is very welcoming of dogs. If we go to this area again, definitely will stay there!"

Reviewed on 28 Sep 2023

Rainforest Retreat Opal Room
Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa
Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa
4.5 out of 5
569 Charlton Esplanade, Urangan, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Hervey Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,668 reviews)
"Great place"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Oaks Hervey Bay Resort and Spa
Bay Hideaway Resort
Bay Hideaway Resort
4 out of 5
1 Ibis Boulevard, Eli Waters, QLD
Stay at this 4-star golf apartment in Hervey Bay. Enjoy free parking, barbecues and a flat-screen TV. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (142 reviews)
"Place was good location for me . Bedroom was hot even with air-conditioning , only issue. Staff very good ."

Reviewed on 21 Jan 2024

Bay Hideaway Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Maryborough

5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Nov 2019

Lovely town. Lots to see. Mary Poppins museum amazing