November 19th, 2023Redevelopment of a Maryborough icon

The redevelopment of the iconic Maryborough Railway Station is now complete and was officially opened with a celebratory event earlier this month.

Over the past year, the historic station has been transformed in many ways and now includes a visitor hub.

The new-look Visitor Centre welcomes visitors and introduces them to the region’s attractions.

A highlight of the experience at the new Visitors’ Centre is the theatrette with its digital animation “The Welcome Stranger”. This is a video for all ages, telling the story of gold and how its discovery shaped the region. A replica of the famous original Welcome Stranger gold nugget can also be viewed on entry to the theatrette.

The Worth its Weight in Gold interactive installation invites visitors to place whatever they have in their pocket on the unit to find out its worth in today’s gold prices.

The Central Goldfields Visitor Centre and the historic Maryborough Station also provide information about the history of the area’s Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners.

The Visitor Centre is now accessible from both the station platform and via the station café restaurant bar. Accessibility improvements have also been made to the platform entry.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said she was delighted with outcome and response to this significant project for the Central Goldfields.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to be home to the iconic Maryborough Railway Station and to have such a rich goldfields history in our region.

“Maryborough is located at the centre of the unique Victorian Goldfields region and is pivotal to the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid.

“The redevelopment celebrates this and has transformed the Station into a local and visitor hub. Visitation is growing daily and the Station, already an iconic attraction now has so much more to offer to our many visitors as well as our local community.

“It’s a really exciting time for us in the Central Goldfields. With our redeveloped Central Goldfields Art Gallery and the Indigenous Interpretive Garden still to come – together with the Station project – we now have two fantastic major attractions bookending the town and showcasing the community’s story in creative ways by drawing visitors and locals through town.”