The Top Family Activities and Playgrounds in the Central Goldfields Shire Region

The Central Goldfields region is about two hours drive north-west of Melbourne and includes the towns of Maryborough, Carisbrook, Dunolly and Talbot.

Enjoy the region with activities such as walks, picnics, camping, horse riding, historical exploration, striking geological features and prospecting at places such as Paddys Ranges State Park, Quartz Mountain, Mount Greenock Geological Reserve and Goldfields Reservoir.

The Phillips Botanical Gardens is a beautiful location in the main town of Maryborough.

A map of the region is:

Map boundaries Mount Alexander

The best playground in this region is:

Station Domain Playground, Maryborough

A very big fully fenced playground with all equipment under shade sails. An area under a huge shade sail has dual wave slides, big double sided climbing wall, long flying fox, rope ladder, monkey bars, rope spiders web climbing frame, vertical rope net climbing frame, monkey rungs, hanging disks and rope traverse with obstacles. This area also has a stand-on spinner.

Perched on a hillock is a wooden hut with wave slide. On the other side of the playground under shade sails are four swings, structure for younger kids with wave slide, steps, tic-tac-toe, steering wheel, seat and shop front.

There is also a structure for older kids with pipe shaped climbing frame, tunnel, curved slide, spiral ladder, inclined rope bridge, hanging disks, steering wheel panel, abacus, clanger to hit against pipes, clock and find your way maze.

In the central area is a shelter with two tables, three unshaded tables, water tap and gravel area. 50m away are toilets and there is a shaded grassy area, areas of unshaded seats and a huge sound stage.

There are basic skate parks at Maryborough Skatepark and Dunolly Skatepark.

There is a BMX track at Carisbrook BMX Track.

Reviews of all playgrounds, skateparks and BMX Tracks in the Central Goldfields Shire council region are here:

Family activities in the Central Goldfields Shire region include:

Maryborough

Central Goldfields Visitor Information Centre (Local information about attractions)

Aboriginal Wells (Four rock wells dug into sandstone by the Jajowurrong people prior to European settlement)

Bristol Hill Tower and Lookout (Views of the town)

Central Goldfields Art Gallery (Showcases local and regional artists plus diverse touring exhibitions)

Cycle Central Goldfields (A range of cycle trails of different lengths)

Phillips Botanical Gardens (Features beautiful trees, shrubs, lake and grassed picnic areas and is a favourite picnic spot.)

Maryborough Bush and Town Walk (Walks throughout the town)

Maryborough Outdoor Swimming Pool (Heritage listed 50m pool, medium pool and toddlers pool)

Maryborough Self Drive Tour (Tour significant landmarks, heritage buildings and experiences)

Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre (25m indoor heated pool, toddlers beach-front pool, spa, sauna, fully equipped gym and court sports)

Worsley Cottage Museum Complex (Furnished with period pieces and has a huge collection of goldfields maps, photographs and mining relics on display)

Goldfields Reservoir (1.7km walk encircles the reservoir with picnic places and water activities)

Other Locations

Paddys Ranges State Park near Daisy Hill (Home to 30 types of orchids and relics of the goldmining era are scattered throughout the park. Activities include picnics, camping, horse riding and prospecting)

Goldfields Bike Tours & Hire at Betley (Tour the Goldfields district with ease on an eBike)

Possum Gully Fine Arts at Adelaide Lead (Fine art and garden sculptures)

Goldfields Historical and Arts Museum at Dunolly (Extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia including a replica of the world's largest gold nugget, the 69 kilogram 'Welcome Stranger' whihc was found in nearby Moliagul)

Dunolly Outdoor Swimming Pool (25m outdoor pool which is open during the summer months)

Aboriginal Shelter Tree at Talbot (A 700 year old red river gum which was hollowed out by the Jajawurrong people for shelter)

Talbot Outdoor Swimming Pool at Talbot (25m outdoor pool which is open during the summer months)

Talbot Arts & Historical Museum at Talbot (A wide range of items of historical interest)

Quartz Mountain near Lillicur (A massive quartz outcrop where an incredible 40-tonne boulder balances precariously on top of the biggest quartz reef remaining in the state)

Mount Greenock Geological Reserve near Dunach (Features an extinct volcano and was the site of the historical Union Mine)

Web Links

→ www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au