One of Queensland's oldest cities, Maryborough wears its history beautifully — grand Victorian streetscapes, a working river port, and a surprising claim to fame as the birthplace of Mary Poppins.
Travel guide · Updated 31 May 2026 · By the Cooee Tours team
Maryborough · Portside & heritage streetscapes
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Founded as a river port in the 1840s, Maryborough grew rich on timber, sugar and shipping — and that prosperity left a legacy of elegant colonial buildings, wide verandahed streets and a heritage precinct along the Mary River that few regional cities can match.
It's also the hometown of Helen Lyndon Goff, born here in 1899 and known to the world as P.L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins. The city celebrates the connection at every turn, from a bronze statue to a museum in the bank where she was born.
Don't miss
01
Story Bank
The restored bank building where P.L. Travers was born, now a museum to her life and the Mary Poppins stories.
02
Mary Poppins statue
The much-loved bronze of the practically-perfect nanny, on the corner of Kent and Richmond Streets.
03
Portside precinct
The old Customs House, bond stores and Wharf Street heritage buildings beside the Mary River.
04
The Time Cannon
Fired at 1pm each day by the town crier — a Maryborough tradition not to be missed.
Home of Mary Poppins
P.L. Travers — born Helen Lyndon Goff on 9 August 1899 — spent her earliest years in Maryborough, where her father managed the local bank. That building is now the Story Bank, a charming museum where children are encouraged to open cupboards and drawers in search of painted mice, and where the real story behind the famous nanny is told.
Outside, the bronze Mary Poppins statue stands on the corner of Kent and Richmond Streets, erected in 2005 through community donations. Each year during the school holidays the whole city dresses up for the free Mary Poppins Festival, with chimney-sweep races, a grand parade and Admiral Boom's cannon.
Maryborough is made for walking. The Portside precinct preserves the river port's Customs House, bond stores and the old Wharf Street facades, while the wider centre is dotted with grand banks, hotels and churches. Look down, too — even the pedestrian crossings have a Mary Poppins theme.
Time your visit for the Thursday heritage markets, or simply follow a self-guided walk between the statue, the Story Bank and Queens Park.
Getting there
Maryborough is the rail hub of the Fraser Coast: the Maryborough West station is served by Queensland Rail's Tilt Train and the Spirit of Queensland, with a RailBus connection across to Hervey Bay. By road it's a short drive from Hervey Bay and about 3.5 hours from Brisbane.
It makes an easy half-day trip from Hervey Bay, or a worthwhile stop on the way north.
The Mary Poppins Festival is held during the Queensland school holidays and draws big crowds — wonderful to be part of, but worth booking accommodation early. Check the Fraser Coast events channels for the confirmed 2026 dates and program.
Let us handle the logistics
Travelling as a group or connecting from the Tilt Train? Our transfers and charters keep it simple.
Airport Transfers
Door-to-door transfers to and from Hervey Bay Airport and beyond — meet-and-greet, fixed prices and a driver waiting when you land.
Because P.L. Travers, who wrote the Mary Poppins books, was born there in 1899 as Helen Lyndon Goff. The city celebrates the connection with a statue, the Story Bank museum and an annual festival.
What is the Story Bank?
It's the heritage bank building where P.L. Travers was born — her father was the bank manager — now restored as an interactive museum about her life and the Mary Poppins stories.
When is the Mary Poppins Festival?
It's held annually during the Queensland school holidays. Confirm the exact 2026 dates through the Fraser Coast Regional Council and Fraser Coast events channels.
How do I get to Maryborough?
By car from Hervey Bay (about 35 minutes) or Brisbane (about 3.5 hours), or by Tilt Train to Maryborough West with a RailBus link to Hervey Bay.