Celebrate the start of NAIDOC Week 2023 at the Mary Poppins Festival with us! Learn Indigenous stories, crafts and art with a full day's program of activities,
All Day
Eight Aboriginal Ways of Learning
Weaving
Clapsticks (Cost applies for clapstick workshop)
Banner Art
Storytelling
Sessions
Traditional Dance and Song with Uncle Jo
10am, 11am, and 12pm
Story Sessions of 'The Legends of Moonie Jarl' with Aunty Karen
10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm
Sing-along Medley | 2pm
Location:
Lower Portside Parklands
This year marks 150 years of Queensland's first ever steam engine built right here in Maryborough, the Mary Ann built by John Walker & Co. Ltd, now recognised internationally as the Downer Group.
Originally designed for pioneers to haul logs from the Cooloola forests to Tin Can Bay in 1873 the fully functional replica of the Mary Ann will be carrying guests along the scenic route of the Mary River as a part of the Mary Poppins festival experience.
Be sure to step back in time and grasp the history of one of Queensland's oldest rail lines, shipping channels and industrial estates by jumping on the Mary Ann.
Visit the Downer Group tent in Queens Park to get a bird’s eye view of the free heritage train display which includes Loco B15 No.299 Built 1897, 2 DH Locos and the last steam train built in Australia Built March 1958:Ex Queensland Railway BB18 1/4 No.1089.
Take a ride on miniature steam train through Maryborough’s historic Queens Park. Perfect for the whole family.
'Introducing 'Uptown' Brown! A singing gentleman-adventurer performing a program of primitive 1920’s-1930’s jazz and blues transporting people back to the Mary Poppins scenes of Berts 'One-Man-Band'.
Uptown Browns contraption is built from cedar, leather, and brass, whilst vocals & fingerpicked ukulele are amplified through old megaphones, mimicking the effect of a 78 record. Catch the performances throughout the day by ‘Uptown Brown’ as he roves throughout the festival.
Hervey Bays very own best selling children’s author, youtube star and musical entertainer
Deano Yipadee will be performing a 'must see' interactive show under the Rotunda in Queens Park. 10.30am & 12.45pm
Imagine an audience of children so filled with laughter and joy that they remember it forever! Magic Glen will be gathering audiences and adding excitement that comes with the Mary Poppins Festival with his hilarious and witty magical performances.
Magic Glen can be found at the Gatakers Courtyard at 11.15am and will be delighting guests with impromptu magic all over the festival precinct throughout the day.
Join the Grand Parade!
Open to everyone – show off your costume, umbrella, kites or just your Supercalifragalistic self.
Join the parade at the starting point at 1.45pm at the top of Wharf Street - no registration necessary!
Finishing at main stage for the grand finale singalong at 2.30pm featuring:
The Gamut
Accent Theatre
Timbre
Fraser Coast Chorus
A Capella Bay Singers
Mansong
Makin’ Whoopie
Mary Poppins
Join in the fun and be the first to get your baby and carriage across the finish line. Sign up on the day at the Race Precinct on Richmond Street from 10am
Do you have what it takes to clean your chimney the fastest? Sign up on the day at the Race Precinct on Richmond Street from 11.15am
Let your creativity shine through the Mary Poppins Festival Costume Competition this year and bring Maryborough's streets to life. Sign up on the day at the Race Precinct on Richmond Street from 12.30am
Time: 9.45am
Cost: FREE
Location: Main Stage
Take a ride on miniature steam train through Maryborough’s historic Queens Park. Perfect for the whole family.
Time: All Day
Cost: from $3
Location: Queens Park
Kaitlin's Aerial & Dance Academy is a boutique studio from Maryborough that will be captivating audiences with impressive displays of Acrobatic Arts. Festival-goers will witness an awe-inspiring performance of physical strength and artistic grace.
Time: 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, & 1.30pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Queens Park
An experienced instrumental guitarist from Hervey Bay playing modern, classical & Spanish guitar.
Time: from 9am
Cost: FREE
Location: Gatakers Artspace
Time:9am
Cost: FREE
Location: Queens Park
Create your own pavement chalk art!
Time: All Day
Cost: FREE
Location: Wharf Street
Paint your own practically perfect umbrella and show off your creation in the Grand Parade
Time: All Day
Cost: $10
Location: Gatakers Artspace
Decorate your own Mary Poppins Festival kite and be inspired by the Kites Queensland kite display
Time: All Day
Cost: $10
Location: Mary River Parklands
An interactive peformance where spectators can learn the Hula from the Aloha Ohana Hula Na Wahine, Hawaiian music singing and dance group
Time: 12pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Main Stage
Back by popular demand – check out the Kites QLD Kite Display
Time: All Day
Cost: FREE
Location: Mary River Parklands
Find a quiet spot and watch the original Mary Poppins and Mary Poppins Returns on the Optus Truck Screen
Time: 9am – Mary Poppins & 11.45 – Mary Poppins Returns
Cost: FREE
Location: Mary River Parklands
Time: 9.15am
Cost: FREE
Location: Gatakers Artspace
The Gamut is a small group of local musicians bringing together Mary Poppins songs along with other pop hits. With specials guests The Accent Singers during the 10am performance.
Time: 10.00am, 11.15am, & 1.30pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Main Stage
Discover the magic of Mary Poppins at the birthplace of her author, PL Travers. Interact with the characters and settings from her popular Mary Poppins stories in a heritage listed building brought to life with creative displays and interactions.
Book through the website Recommended 1 hour for visit!
The Accent Singers is a small choir of locals singing Mary Poppins songs along with other pop hits.
Time: 12pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Gatakers Artspace
Take a moment to recharge in the UniSC & headspace Chill Out Zones with Giant Games, Books and Free Water Bottle Refills
Time: All Day
Cost: FREE
Location: Mary River Parklands
Time: 2pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Queens Park
Visit Gatakers Artspace, Maryborough’s creative hub housed in a beautifully restored heritage warehouse and wander through the exhibits.
Time: from 9am
Cost: FREE
Location: Gatakers Artspace
Oh no! Mary Poppins bag has a hole, and she has lost all her things.
Complete the scavenger hunt and help Mary find her lost treasures.
Collect your scavenger hunt sheet from Wharf Street next to the giant Magic Carpet Bag pavement art
Time: All Day
Cost: FREE
Location: Wharf Street
Time: All Day
Cost: FREE
Location: Wharf Street
Join Jo as she weaves a magical story of Maryborough’s past
Time: 10.00am, 11.30am & 1.00pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Departing Cnr Bazaar & Richmond Street
Time: 11.15am & 12.30am
Cost: FREE
Location: Poppins Raceway
Time: 10.30am
Cost: FREE
Location: Gatakers Artspace
Time: 1.15pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Gatakers Artspace
Be inspired by Australia’s best Town Criers and create your own Town Cry.
Time: 10.00am, 11.15am & 12.15pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Queens Park