In 1854, gold was discovered at White Hill, four kilometres north of Maryborough, attracting a rush of prospectors to the area.

However, the late historian Betty Osborn, of Maryborough-Midlands Historical Society Inc., using a range of contemporary newspapers and government reports, placed the peak population at closer to 30,000.

[4] The settlement, originally known as Simsons, was renamed Maryborough by gold commissioner James Daly after his County Cork, Ireland birthplace, which still retains that name.

In 1995 Maryborough became the administrative centre for the post-local government amalgamations Central Goldfields Shire of Victoria.

Although the city experiences little snow due to its low elevation, frosts are common during the colder winter months.

The dryness of the area, due to poor topographical features places significant pressure on water reserves.

[8] Maryborough has three schools: The town hosts a market on the first Sunday of each month, a Highland Gathering on New Year's Day (which has been held since 1857), the Golden Wattle Festival in August or September and the Australasian Goldpanning Championships in October or November.

Maryborough also plays host to the Energy Breakthrough in which thousands of students, teachers, parents and spectators from around Australia come to the town to witness a Human Powered Vehicle race where teams can complete up to 888 kilometres (552 mi) in 24 hours.

Three founding members of electronic music group The Avalanches, Robbie Chater, Tony Di Blasi and Gordon McQuilten, first met in Maryborough as school students.

Their three studio albums, Since I Left You (2000), Wildflower (2016), and We Will Always Love You (2020), have received critical acclaim and commercial success internationally.

Maryborough Harness Racing Club conducts regular meetings at its racetrack located at nearby Carisbrook.

Australian NBA athlete, Matthew Dellavedova who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, grew up in Maryborough.

In 2007 the station underwent a $1.2 million upgrade to conduct vital repairs to the historic bell tower, clock and roof which was built in 1890.

It hasn't any bell; and as you'll have cause to remember, if you keep your reason, all Australia is simply bedamned with bells.Daily train services to and from Ballarat, with onward connections to Melbourne's Southern Cross station commenced in 2010.

[17] The Avoca railway line is to be reopened (as of 2017) ultimately to connect Mildura with Portland with standard gauge track.