Council & Business
13 September, 2024
Centre draws big crowd
Since the Central Goldfields Visitor Centre returned to the Maryborough Railway Station in 2023, it has welcomed thousands of people — with visitation numbers increasing by 40 percent compared to previous years.
The centre temporarily relocated to 53 Burns Street in January last year to allow stage two of the Maryborough Railway Station Activation project to commence.
The $2 million refurbishment included the implementation of interactive experiences such as the Welcome Stranger digital animation and the Worth its Weight in Gold display.
Visitor centre team leader Lee Duffin said the upgraded facility has provided a unique experience for over 18,000 visitors in the last 12 months.
“The visitor centre is often the first place of call for visitors and tourists in our region and we provide a warm welcome to everyone,” she said.
“We are now located in a building which is a tourist attraction and the visitor centre is adding to that experience.
“That’s been a real big change for our team and it’s working well [with the] number of visitors increasing since we have been back in the station.”
Ms Duffin said a key element of the re-opened centre is her knowledgeable and helpful team of part-time staff and volunteers.
“My favourite part has to be my amazing team that I work with and the ability to personally welcome visitors to the region and to show off our local area,” she said.
“It’s really important for visitors and tourists to have a place to get a local perspective and information.”
Central Goldfields Shire Council mayor Liesbeth Long said the facility continues to play a vital role in growing the region’s tourism industry.
“[The centre] is the gateway to the town and I love that it’s at the railway station which is one of the most iconic buildings in the whole shire,” she said.
“To have a 40 percent increase in visitation after we shifted [to the station] is unreal and I like to think that it piques their interest and whets their appetite to come back again.
“Shoutout to the team, they do such an amazing job making everyone feel so welcome and they are so full of knowledge — you can ask them any question and they’ll have an answer for you.”