Maryborough's Historical Railway Station
This is a 'Virtual' Geocache. There is no physical cache at this location. To earn your smiley, scroll down for instructions.
This historic Maryborough Railway station building was built in 1890, upgrading an earlier building from 1874.
The station is reported to have the longest platform in country Victoria. If visiting during opening hours (unfortunately these alter currently as there is no caretaker so I have not included at this stage), take the time to admire the highly polished timber ceiling and beautiful tessellated floor in the main entrance.
Many myths surround the Maryborough Railway Station. Locals still hear that the station was a mistake and was intended for Maryborough, Queensland. This is not factual - It's grandeur reflects the position Maryborough was to hold as a junction in Victorian rail routes.
The 1890-1 building is Queen Anne style red brick that displays hallmarks of the Anglo-Dutch style. The outside roof consists of different types of Dutch gables with faceted chimneys. Cement renderings decorate the building and echo the style of the wooden details of the windows and doors. Tuscan order columns support a wide but similarly profiled lintel and large blue stone steps form the entrance to the base.
The long platform is covered by a spectacular veranda. It has a hipped roof, part of which is glass. The veranda cast-iron columns also act as down pipes for storm water, which is stored in large underground tanks. The foyers tessellated floor was laid by Cawkwell's of Malvern, whose work can also be seen at Parliament House in Melbourne. The Station’s interior features carved ticket box windows and an elaborate English Oak or Australian Mountain Ash ceiling.
The building was quite expensive for the time - it cost £22,000 - a lot of money in those days.
In 1895, visiting Mark Twain was quoted as saying "You can put the whole population of Maryborough into it with a sofa apiece and have room for more".
In 1993, the station closed and sat idle for 13 years until a restoration commenced. Repairs were made to every aspect of the building. From clock, roof and façade to glazing and rendering. The works paid off and in 2008, passenger rail services to Maryborough recommenced with the timetable expanding again recently. Further works are planned in 2023 and beyond.
Today, the station is home to a café and the Visitor Information Centre, making it the perfect place to visit and appreciate the unique history of this beautiful and rich area.
Adjacent to the station you will find Maryborough's 'Station Domain' which includes an enclosed childrens playground & a performing arts ampitheatre as well as public toilets and an EV rapid charging station.
To log this Virtual geocache:
1. Head to the reference waypoint, check out the historic wheels and find the answer to the following question on the info board. Send me a message (through the Geocaching app or by email) with the answer.
From what location was the circa 1930's photograph taken?
2. Post a photo of yourself/your GPS/ any other personal item with the wheels, signal stand or station also visible. Any part of the station is acceptable - be creative. Inside/outside, front/back...
Alternatively you may send your picture to me directly as a message through the Geocaching app or by email.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.