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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Maryborough West

Maryborough West might not have many top sights, but Portside and Station Square Shopping Centre are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Maryborough West
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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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Granville

While Granville isn't home to many top sights, Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre and Mary Poppins Statue are some notable places to visit nearby.

Granville
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Tinana South

While Tinana South may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Station Square Shopping Centre and Mary Poppins Statue.

Tinana South
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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
Ned Kelly's Motel
Ned Kelly's Motel
4 out of 5
148 Gympie Road, Tinana, QLD
The price is NZ$115 per night from 17 May to 18 May
NZ$115
per night
17 May - 18 May
Stay at this 4-star motel in Maryborough. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (379 reviews)
"I would recommend this place to my friends. I'll will definitely be back again and stay longer. Thanks 😊"

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Ned Kelly's Motel
McNevin's Maryborough Motel
McNevin's Maryborough Motel
4 out of 5
188 John Street, Maryborough, QLD
The price is NZ$170 per night from 13 May to 14 May
NZ$170
per night
13 May - 14 May
Stay at this 4-star motel in Maryborough. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (418 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

McNevin's Maryborough Motel
Blue Shades Motel
Blue Shades Motel
4 out of 5
35-39 Ferry Street, Maryborough, QLD
The price is NZ$170 per night from 17 May to 18 May
NZ$170
per night
17 May - 18 May
Stay at this 4-star motel in Maryborough. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (362 reviews)
"Very nice place to stay mal and sam are wonderful staff will stay here again"

Reviewed on 4 May 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 Garden Room
Rainforest Retreat Garden Room
Maryborough
Stay at this vacation home in Maryborough. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Baddow Island Conservation Park and Portside are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"What a lovely to spot to stay just off the highway. Host was very helpful and friendly and will definitely stop in again some time."

Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2023

Rainforest Retreat Garden Room
Rainforest Retreat Opal Room
Rainforest Retreat Opal Room
Maryborough
Stay at this vacation home in Maryborough. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Baddow Island Conservation Park and Portside are located ...
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
Rainforest Retreat Green Room
Rainforest Retreat Green Room
Maryborough
Stay at this vacation home in Maryborough. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Baddow Island Conservation Park and Portside are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Nice friendly owner, quirky clean and comfortable room, great for the pets"

Reviewed on 1 Jan. 2024

Rainforest Retreat Green Room
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

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
36
" "5 - Excellent 30.508474576271187%
4 - Good
55
" "4 - Good 46.610169491525426%
3 - Okay
24
" "3 - Okay 20.338983050847457%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 1.694915254237288%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.847457627118644%

5/5 - Excellent

Peti
2 Jun 2020

I've heard lots of good things about Maryborough and enjoying visiting there for work!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
29 Dec 2019

"Port Side" historic area by the river is interesting and picturesque. Lunch at the Port Side Cafe and Restaurant (a lovely example of the old architectural buildings in the area) was enjoyable sitting on the wide verandah looking out at the river.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
29 Dec 2019

"Port Side" historic area by the river is interesting and picturesque. Lunch

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
26 Dec 2019

It’s a nice heritage town well worth a visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Dec 2019

Maryborough has nice polite people. The town is clean. Easy to walk around and see shops museums, heritage and learn about the history. Maryborough is a beautiful town with the mixture of old and new.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
13 Nov 2019

Easy to find what you need