Government Bond Store (former)

Step into the Bond Store Museum and procure your Heritage Passport. Part of the lower ground floor of this structure comprises one of the earliest brick buildings in town, reflecting Maryborough’s history as a major Queensland port from 1859. The building was built in stages from 1864 and replaced an 1861 timber construction. The design has been attributed to the Colonial Architect Charles Tiffin. A visit to the basement will allow you to appreciate its’ history with the dates of different parts of the structure projected on the walls and floors. The discovery of gold in Gympie in 1867 significantly increased demand on the customs service, as Maryborough served as the port for Gympie. A second storey was added to the bond store in 1870, as well as a two-storeyed wing and a formal entry to Wharf Street. The completion of the railway to Gympie in 1881, led to further expansions in 1883, when another two-storey wing transformed the building into today’s square structure. A variety of interactive interpretation tools installed in the museum, highlight the role of the customs service to the wool, timber, sugar and gold industries. Information on the nearby Walker’s engineering works is also included.