New-look Visitor Centre clocks up 18,000 visitors
More than 18,000 visitors have been welcomed at the Central Goldfields Visitor Centre since its re-opening at the iconic Maryborough Railway Station a year ago.
Owned and operated by Central Goldfields Shire, the transformed visitor centre will mark its first anniversary by celebrating a year of unprecedented visitation and activities.
In addition to providing visitor services as an accredited member of the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, the Central Goldfields Visitor Centre is a standout attraction for locals and visitors wanting to find out more about our region, and all it has to offer.
One of the great strengths of the Centre are the friendly and supportive team of part-time staff along with a significant group of local volunteers who greet and serve visitors seven days a week
With funding support from the State Government, in 2023 a project to transform the space at the Station into a world class interpretative centre was delivered.
The Centre is also home to its own theatrette where visitors can watch the "Welcome Stranger" digital animation that shares the story of the discovery of the famous Welcome Stranger nugget, along with the broader story of gold in the region and the impact this has had on Djaara people and Country.
The digital animation, along with the interactive "Worth its Weight in Gold", has been popular with visitors of all ages and interests.
It has also helped earn recognition in the recently released Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Master Plan. The Station with its wonderful Visitor Centre is cited as a benchmark for 'World Heritage Hubs'/visitor centres across the region.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Liesbeth Long said it was wonderful to see the vision for the transformed Centre realised.
"We've seen increased visitation, demand for regular station tours hosted by Centre staff and volunteers, an enthusiastic response to events held at the Station and a significant growth in demand and sales of locally produced offerings.
"This success is testament to the vision for the Centre as a vital part of growing the profile and visitation to Maryborough and the Shire and we are very proud of the dedication shown by our talented and committed team of staff and volunteers."
As part of the many activities looking forward to the next stage of development for visitor services in the region, Bendigo Regional Tourism will launch its region-wide Visitor Services Strategy at the Visitor Centre on Tuesday, 10 September.
The Strategy supports the important role that Visitor Information Centres play across the region and recognises the level of interest in the attractions and success of the new Visitor Centre at Maryborough Station.
