Things to do in Fraser Coast

Natural Attractions

Queens Park Waterfall

Maryborough

Enjoy the popular spot for picnics, the Queens Park Waterfall. The waterfall area of Maryborough's Queens Park was originally a quarry, which was later converted into a pond, that is regularly home to several ducks swimming on its surface or even catching some sun on the edges. The waterfall feature was constructed in the 1970s. It is also frequently used as a backdrop for weddings.

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Colonial Naval Guns

Maryborough

Visit Queen’s Park and marvel at the nineteenth century gun technology, including an early version of a machine gun. You may have noticed there is an empty concrete plinth next to the naval guns. What was it for? To tell the story they need to go all the way back to 1866 and Maryborough’s first timepiece. It was not a clock, but rather a large, heavy ball that was dropped once a day at noon. Dissatisfied with the time ball, Maryborough residents wanted a cannon instead. The Queensland Government obliged, presenting a cannon to Maryborough in 1877. The cannon had been discovered in sand on an island in the Torres Strait, north of Queensland. It is believed to have come from an unknown Dutch East Indies ship! The cannon was restored and fired for the first time in 1878. The cannon ceased to be used to tell the time in the early 1890s and it was moved to Queen’s Park. By the 1950s Council feared it would be stolen and it was eventually removed. A replica was made and it is now fired every Thursday on Market Day in Maryborough.

Natural Attractions

Lake Birrabeen

K'gari

The Lake Birrabeen day-use area is on the Southern Lakes scenic drive, 6.6 kilometres south of the Central Station day-use area and 21 kilometres north of the eastern beach at Dilli Village. The Southern Lakes scenic drive is not accessible for trailers. Take a break from the Southern Lakes scenic drive and stretch your legs at this quiet picnic area overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Birrabeen. Enjoy a picnic in the shade of tall scribbly gum, blackbutt and bloodwoods and then take the short path to the lakeshore. Lay out a towel on the white sandy beach and then slip into the cool blue water. If you’ve got a canoe or kayak, this is a great lake to explore.

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Band Rotunda and Fairy Fountain

Maryborough

Miss Janet Melville bequeathed the Fairy Fountain and Band Rotunda in memory of her brother Andrew who was Mayor of Maryborough in 1863. The entire structure was imported from Scotland in 1890 after the Hon. A.H. Wilson MLA saw it at the Glasgow Exhibition and acquired it as a suitable memorial. In 1905, the fountain was moved from under the ornate roof of the rotunda to its present site to allow the use of the rotunda as a performance area. Last Sunday of the Month, activities in the park feature live brass bands performing in the rotunda and miniature steam trains.

Image: Fraser Coast Tourism and Events

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Bauer and Wiles Memorial Fountain

Maryborough

Australia's only outbreak of the pneumonic plague was in Maryborough in 1905. This fountain, situated to the Lennox Street side of City Hall, is a memorial to the two Nurses Cecilia Bauer and Rose Wiles who courageously volunteered to nurse victims of the plague. Whilst looking after their patients both nurses fell ill and died from the deadly disease.

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Gallipoli to Armistice Memorial

Maryborough

The Gallipoli to Armistice Memorial traces the birth of the Anzac legend. Drawn from the personal perspectives in letters written home to loved ones by Wide Bay district men who fought on the front line, including Lieutenant Duncan Chapman, the first Anzac ashore at Gallipoli. Soaring eight meters into the sky is a steel representation of the cliffs of Gallipoli, leading to panels telling the story of the battles. From there, visitors follow inscribed pavers to the Western Front battlegrounds, past sculptures and whispering voices to an arbour dedicated to the pitiless Battle of Pozieres The all-abilities Gallipoli to Armistice memorial is free to visit. Its path wends through pretty, peaceful Queen's Park in stark contrast to the relentless shelling, mud, and bloody carnage of World War I.

Parks and Gardens

Queens Park In Maryborough

Maryborough

Queens Park was established in 1860 and many of its beautiful huge trees were planted before 1900. Features of the Park are the fernery, waterfall and lily pond, lace-trimmed band rotunda built in 1890 and listed by the National Trust and the 13 centimetre Gauge Model Railway built by the Model Engineers and Live Steamers Association. On the last Sunday each month the Association meet in Queens Park to relive the steam age in the chug of engines, the glow of brass and coal fires and the cheery sound of the whistle. Also to be heard and seen are Maryborough's Brass Bands playing in the rotunda. The Park is a cool retreat with a waterfall, flowers, shrubs and trees. It is situated within an easy stroll of the City Hall and overlooks the Mary River.

Image: Fraser Coast Tourism and Events

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Cenotaph and Memorial Gates

Maryborough

The Maryborough Cenotaph was erected in 1922 with funds obtained by public subscription as a memorial to the fallen of the First World War. The memorial includes five Italian Carrara marble statues which portray the Army, Navy, Airforce and Nursing profession and Nike, the Winged Figure of Victory standing above them. The local Croydon Foundry cast the memorial gates and plaques.

Image: Fraser Coast Tourism and Events

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Excelsior Band Hall

Maryborough

Maryborough’s modern Excelsior Band Hall replaces the earlier hall destroyed by fire in 1987. It was designed in Victorian Style to compliment the precinct. The design choice also commemorates the length of time to which bands have added to the spirit and vitality of public occasions. Directly in front of the Band Hall is the George Ambrose White Car park, which was the site of the city’s first in-ground public baths opened in 1906. On the last Sunday morning of every month, enjoy live brass band performances alongside the building in the Rotunda in Queens Park.

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Maryboroughs Guns

Maryborough

The Maryborough's Guns represent the rich history of the Fraser Coast region. The beginning of the First World War saw the Royal Australian Navy begin the process of updating its armoury. They presented the three guns, located in Queens Park overlooking the Mary River, as a gift to the City of Maryborough. The three guns were relocated to this position in 1914.

Entertainment Venues

Melsa - Miniatures Trains Maryborough

Maryborough

Children and adults can climb onboard one of the many miniature steam engines at Melsa, which run on a circuit around Queens Park. The sight of little legs – and not so little legs – dangling from tiny carriages as the trains weave around the track is guaranteed to delight. It's a tradition begun by the city's Model Engineers and Live Steamers Association (Melsa) 30 years ago – and one that uniquely capture Maryborough's carefree, family-friendly lifestyle. The miniature tracks and the station shelter can be found in Queens Park, Maryborough. The trains run on the last Sunday of the month as part of the Sunday in the Park celebrations including Brass Bands, food stalls and children's activities.

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Maryboroughs Bollards

Maryborough

Maryboroughs Bollards are seven colourful bollards overlooking the Mary River. They represent a sea captain welcoming a family of immigrants landing at the Port of Maryborough in the 1860s. In 1855 approximately 18,000 square metres of decking and warehouses were constructed creating the new wharves that would later become the Port of Maryborough.