Maryborough (Victoria) Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Maryborough is a large town in the Central Goldfields region of Victoria, Australia. Home to 7,900 people in 2016. It was settled in 1840, and grew significantly once gold was discovered in 1854. It is known locally for hosting the Highland gathering.

• -37.048143.73791 Central Goldfields Visitor Information Centre, Cnr Alma & Nolan Sts (near the centre of town, 10 min walk from train station), ☏ +61 3 5460 4511, [email protected]. 9AM—5PM daily. Manned by volunteers, the centre provides lots of useful information about sights, restaurants and accommodation in the town and surrounding region. Stocks free brochures and maps, a number of souvenirs and can also arrange guided tours of the town on request. There's also a small display with a few historic photographs and a scale model of the famous 69 kg "Welcome Stranger" gold nugget. (updated Nov 2015)

It's an approximately 55-minute drive from the regional centre of Ballarat via the C287, and a 50-minute drive from Bendigo via the C277.

Train services from Melbourne via ballarat are infrequent. Check the Vline journey planner Vline journey planner

• -37.051075143.7402651 Maryborough Train Station (Tourist Information Centre). A marvellous 1874 station still served by passenger trains, described by Mark Twain as "a railway station", the Train Station was incorrectly built from plans for another railway station in Maryborough, Queensland. It houses the tourist information centre and a cafe/bar within one of the vaulted wooden halls. As of February 2025 tours of the station are available by appointment only, around 45 minutes. (updated Dec 2020)

Check the Vline timetable for trains and buses. Vline journey planner

Buses depart around three times a day from Castlemaine.

The town is fairly walkable, and served by a modest bus network. Route 1 serves the town's south, Route 2 the north, Route 3 the east and Route 4 the west. Each route generally runs nine services each direction on weekdays, with five services on Saturday and no operation on Sunday. A map of the network is available here.

• -37.07481143.7332961 Maryborough Mud Brick Hut (off Stoneham Drive, alongside Centenary Reservoir). A fascinating Mud Brick Hut built-in 1982 by Nepalese Architect Ramesh Manandhar, to demonstrate the sustainability and practicality of low cost housing. (updated Oct 2021)
• Central Goldfields gallery: A very small gallery next to the old fire tower, usually staffed by volunteers, as of February 2025 it hosts a neat collection of goldsmithing from the national gallery.
• Carisbrook historical log cabin gaol: the old lock up, has some historical displays, open by appointment.
• The old fire tower: visible from the town centre, Unfortunately the original bell was removed, but if you wish to see it I believe it's in front of the new fire station
• Antique/art stores: there are a number in town

• Maryborough Highland Gathering, a calender event featuring large fair with traditional Scottish games, parades and competitions held by by the Highland Society. It has restarted after covid and is scheduled for January 1st 2026.
• -37.048453143.7370911 Paramount Theatre, 56 Nolan St, Maryborough, ☏ +61 354611988. Catch a modern movie at the local theatre, first constructed in 1926. (updated Sep 2020)
• -37.020562143.7513092 Coiltek Gold Centre, 6 Drive in Ct, ☏ +61 354604700. Open daily, gold prospecting tours on Fridays and Saturdays. Join a gold prospecting tour. $140 for singles, $240 for couples. (updated Sep 2020)
• Gold digging. All you need is a miner's license, and gold panning equipment (which can be rented at Colitek) and you're good to go. Pick up a map from Colitek for some gold mining spots though. (updated Jun 2021)
• -37.067644143.7291423 Goldfields Reservoir. A reservoir with BBQ facilities, RV Dumping, toilets and a calm 20 minute walk around the lake. (updated Oct 2021)
• Self guided walking tour: pamphlets available from the tourist information centre and come with a map of the major attractions

The local high street has a large variety of shops covering everything you might need, or want, to buy.

• -37.049974143.7400451 Cambrian Hotel, 26 Nolan St, ☏ +61 3 5461 1114. Open till late. Typical Australian pub meals. 

• -37.048645143.7341462 Maryborough Highland Society, 35 High St, ☏ +61 3 54611480. Upscale dining in the heart of Maryborough. From $25. (updated Sep 2020)
• https://www.whiskeyjune.com.au The station]] — cafe, restaurant, bar inside the train station. Open for breakfast and lunch 10AM-3PM, Tu-F. Open for dinner F - Sa. For bookings visit

The Maryborough Highlands Society offers a large variety of drinks, the local pubs, particularly the Park Hotel, are also a popular option in the evenings.

There are various 3-star hotels in Maryborough, starting at $90 per night. More affordable options are available in nearby Castlemaine, Carisbrook and Majorca. (From $70 per night)

There are several AirBnBs, listed online

The Maryborough Regional Library provides free access to Wi-Fi and Computers. Maryborough McDonalds also provides free Wi-Fi to customers.

Maryborough & District Hospital provides 24-hour accident & emergency care, with more complex cases being routed via Ambulance to Ballarat Hospital.

Emergency Care here is unreliable, and locals often opt to instead drive to the Ballarat Emergency Department, 60 minutes away.

Maryborough Police Station is well staffed.

The public library has a clean bathroom, may let you use public computers or power points.

It is advisable for inexperienced country drivers to avoid driving at dusk and dawn to avoid coming into contact with kangaroos who have been spotted crossing roads as close as the edge of town. If you must travel during these high-risk times, drive carefully and enlist your passenger as a "spotter" for wildlife, particularly kangaroos. Even late into the night, Kangaroos can be seen crossing or standing across roads.

If you plan on driving on any non-major roads, it is advisable to bring water in case you break down and need to stay with your car whilst awaiting assistance. Most roads in the central goldfields are well travelled, and someone will come across you within hours at worst. Cell Phone reception is poor once you've left Maryborough until within 25 minutes~ of Ballarat or Bendigo.

During bushfire season (December - February) check the bushfire danger rating daily on the CFA Website.

If the danger rating is extreme, be aware of the names of the towns and regions you plan to travel to throughout the day, and keep tuned to 107.9 FM in the small chance that a fire does break out. Any news broadcasted regarding a new or existing fire will be preceded by an alarm tone, you won't miss it.

If the danger rating is code red, reconsider your need to travel out of the town. Code red days are only announced once every 10 years or so, and are extremely high risk days for fast moving dangerous bushfires.

If you've brought camping gear you could head 20 minutes away towards Avoca, where there are several underappreciated campgrounds with waterfalls and incredible bushwalking tracks.

Travel to Ballarat for more Goldfields heritage and tourism, including Sovereign Hill.