Recently, I made the trek from Brisbane to Maryborough for a work trip. While there, I decided to make the most of my time in the town, as I'd never been before and had heard it was rich with history.
Upon arrival, one would be mistaken for thinking they'd stepped back in time. Maryborough successfully mixes colonial buildings with vibrant street art, giving the town a lovely contrast in time periods and culture.
Kent Street is in the heart of Maryborough, and is full of heritage-listed buildings and sites. Walking along the sidewalk, you will pass the stunning Maryborough City Hall. Built in 1908, it was designed by notable Brisbane architects, Hall & Dods. This is the second City Hall for Maryborough as the stunning building replaced a smaller, timber building. The exterior is built with locally made Meredith bricks, and in 1935 the clock tower was added to the building.
A snapshot of Maryborough City Hall, taken from the opposite road.
Walking further along Kent Street, it is very easy to be taken by the many heritage-listed buildings, all reminiscent of the classical era in Australian architecture. The Royal Hotel is another perfect example of this, however, it was closed during my visit, so I was unable to try anything from the restaurant inside.
The Royal Hotel, on Kent Street.
Maryborough isn't just famous for its buildings of yesteryear. P.L. Travers (born Helen Lyndon Goff, the author of Mary Poppins, is arguably one of Maryborough's most notable residents, and there is quite literally a tribute to her on every street corner. While the Mary Poppins merchandise being sold in the cafes and shops is expected, my favourite hidden gem are the pedestrian lights at crossings, which use the Mary Poppins silhouette instead of the standard walking man.
The Mary Poppins silhouette on the pedestrian lights at a crossing.
A life-size bronze statue is dedicated to the Mary Poppins character, found on the corner of Richmond Street and Kent Street. The statue stands out of the front of the former Australian Joint Stock Bank, where Travers was born in August, 1899. Her family left for Allora in 1905.
The bronze statue of Mary Poppins, erected directly in front of the Australian Joint Stock Bank, where P.L. Travers was born.
Maryborough's best kept secret is the many murals and art installations throughout the CBD. Maryborough offers a highly regarded mural trail, which is increasingly becoming a tourist attraction for the city. My personal favourite was the piece dedicated to Mary Poppins, detailing the different characters and adventures that take place throughout the stories. This can be found on Richmond Street, down the road from the Mary Poppins statue.
A wall mural on Richmond Street, dedicated to the Mary Poppins story.
Other hidden gems include the electricity boxes, painted as little characters, and a comic strip mural above the Real Indian Cuisine on Kent Street.
Maryborough's electricity boxes are painted as different people.
More street art on Kent Street.
Queens Park is another must-see sight, with stunning views of the Mary River, as well as beautiful trees perfect for an afternoon picnic. The children can also climb aboard one of the many miniature trains at Mesla, which runs on a circuit around Queens Park.
The Mary River, as seen from Queens Park.
View of Queens Park, with the miniature train tracks.
Maryborough is a history buff's dream, with so many heritage-listed buildings to investigate, and art murals to discover. These are just a few options of the many attractions on offer in the town that time forgot.
