Maryborough

Located in the heart of Victoria's Goldfields region, Maryborough has much to offer the visitor - historic gold rush buildings, beautiful parks and gardens, antiques, art and food and wine.

Mark Twain once described Maryborough as a "railway station with a town attached". The historic railway station, which has one of the southern hemisphere's longest platforms, still stands and is home to an antique emporium, art gallery, regional wine centre, tapas bar and restaurant. A quarterly antique market is held under the platform's broad roof, attracting thousands who browse collectables, books and old wares.

For the art lover, a visit to the Central Goldfields Regional Art Gallery is a must. Housed in the old fire station, it specialises in contemporary exhibitions.

Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Jajawurrong Aborigines, part of the Djajawurrong clan. Head south out of Maryborough to the rock water wells along Wells Track, regarded as some of Victoria's best examples of Aboriginal rock water wells and look out for the scarred trunks of "canoe trees" in the area.

Enjoy the local bush with a walk in the Paddys Ranges State Park or go fossicking for gold. The surrounding area is also home to a number of boutique wineries offering full flavoured reds.