Maryborough Things to Do

The Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre, situated near the Maryborough CBD was officially opened on 14th July 2000. The theatre is fully air-conditioned and boasts state of the art technical support. The main auditorium seats almost 1000 people in comfortable lounge chair seating and there are two conference rooms and a band/rehearsal room.

Several years ago I was able to experience the theatre from both sides - as a performer and audience member in the Queensland Eisteddfod.

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This park is a delightful place to visit and learn about Woo-Koo and his family.
The story will take you back to the time when the wise man was choosing families to go to different areas of Butchulla Land and to take care of it,he chose Woo-Koo to go to YERRA.
They left Fraser Island and followed Moonaboola (Mary River) to mnt Woocoo where he decided it was a great place to live,the story tells you that he had forgotten that this mountain was a free way which was an area outside his nations land and where outsiders could travel.
He and his family were surrounded by enemies of the Butchulla people and they were looking for a way to enter Butchulla country,when Woo-Koo refused to tell them the secret,he and his family were speared.
As the very angry strangers left,Woo-Koo and his family lay dying,the gods took pity and although they could not save them they took on the forms of small animals where once they had been,the animals were covered in quills.Butchulla people believed that these quills were spears.So the birth of the echidna and the legend began.
The park has works of art,the legend of Woo-Koo,Fettlers and settlers,Life sized people and animals as you walk along the river bank,an echidna water feature,mosaics,lots of bench seats to relax on and heaps of other features such as tennis courts,childrens playground,bbq's and covered picnic areas.
The park is free and open every day.
So come along and see the plants and animals Woo-Koo saw on his walks and look at the stencils of tortoises,crabs and crocodiles.
A book was written in 2001 with funding from the then Woocoo Shire Council.
Not to be missed. I loved this place and it gives me so much pleasure to write about it.

Well this is a heritage city...stately old homes and all that. So what a surprise to find a donkey farm on the banks of the beautiful Mary River. Did you know the Mary floods this beautiful city and also Gympie from time time?.

So take a picnic and sit and watch the wallabies grazing after you have finished admiring the donkeys... and be glad the proposed Traveston Dam will not be built and the Mary will still run free.

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Walking along Maryborough's historical Customs House Precinct is very interesting.
It is an easy walk and suitable for all ages and is free.
Stop and take time to read the plaques on the footpath in recognition for Maryborough's achievers.They came from all walks of life and in several fields of acheivement such as,Pioneers,Culture and arts,Sport,Business,commerce,Government and Education.
For such a small place and population I found these people quite remarkable to achieve what they did.

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Maryborough has a lot of old Queenslander style homes--they are in most streets and a lot are being renovated and retained rather than demolished to make way for modern homes.
Some of the lattice work is beautiful,and the verandahs a place to keep cool in the tropical heat.
The best way to see them is by car because I have been informed there are no tours available
which is a bit sad for those who are really interested in architecture and the history of these grand old ladies. Most of them are privately owned so respect is of utmost importance.I asked permission to take some pics and the owners were more than delighted to oblige.The best part is you can see them for free.

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I had no idea that Aborigines discovered the Macadamia nut,they found them on Bauple (bopple) Mountain around 30,000 years ago and called them Baphal nuts.The mountain became a sacred place and the tree and nuts part of their food and traditions.
I was facinated by the history of the macadamia--the first recorded history was in 1858 when they were discovered by botanists from England who named them the genus macadamia.
I also learnt that the macadamia nut is the only indigenous native export from Australia .

Wild macadamia trees apparently over 100 years old are still believed to grow on Bauple mountain.
A conversation collection of the original trees are worth a visit----all free.

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If you want to do something a bit different why don't you get on board this steam tran called the Mary Ann---named after two scottish timber pioneers who had daughters named Mary Ann. They began surveying a railway line in 1872 finding a suitable terminus near Cooloola creek. Mary Ann's boiler stands upright,instead of horizontal so the wheels could be placed very close together so the train could go around the sharp curves.
The driver is dressed in period costume so it takes one back in time and it is a lot of fun.
It operates on the last Sunday of the month between 9am and 1pm and on special occasions such as weddings.
It also operates every Thursday between 9am and 1pm coinciding with Marborough's market day.
If you are into museums then you will enjoy the Whistle Stop Rail Museum at the old Maryborough Railway Station which is open 9am to 1pm every Thursday and last Sunday of the month.

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The Heritage Markets are held every Thursday in the city centre.Roads are blocked off and stalls are put up with local arts and crafts,food,and fruit and vegies etc.
It incorporates the firing of the historic Time Cannon in the village green at 1pm by the Town Crier and Mary heritage--he is dressed in period costume and other locals dress up and stroll around in the crowds.
I enjoyed a coffee in the village green and listened to the music and the town shire hall bells that ring every 15 minutes.