Tiaro is a small town along the Bruce Highway between Gympie and Maryborough. The The Tiaro Visitor Information Centre is the first accredited information centre on the way north into the Fraser Coast Region.
The centre offers information about the region and the local Tiaro area. Behind the centre is a great park, the Tiaro Memorial Park, with a playground to have a break with the family. There is a toilet block, free BBQs and picnic tables for use.
There is information about the Mary River, a significant feature without the Fraser Coast region. The Mary River winds its way 300km through Kenilworth, Gympie, Tiaro and Maryborough, exiting into the Great Sandy Strait between the mainland of Australia and Fraser Island.
Andrew Petrie was the first European to explore the Mary River in 1842. He originally named it the Wide Bay River, renaming it to the Mary River in 1847, after the Governor’s wife. His discovery of the Mary River led to the settlement of Tiaro and Maryborough, one of Queensland’s oldest cities.
The Aboriginal story of Mary River is also included, known by the local Butchulla People as Moonaboola. It starts with the creation of the rivers, by two sisters. The older sister created the Mary River and the younger sister created Susan River.
The story also tells of a new kind of people arriving and falling in love with the area. It then goes on to tell about the new people not understanding the rivers and its rules and problems began to arise, with trees, logs and shelter missing for the animals to use.
Nearby Brown Signs
Historic Hotel – The Hideaway Station Hotel