Visitors are busting to tour the toilets at Maryborough’s Town Hall, cheekily dubbed the Cistern Chapel.
If you’re anything like me, you avoid public toilets. That’s not the case with Maryborough’s Cistern Chapel. People flock to use the facility and as Nancy Bates says, “Almost everyone leaves here with a smile on their face."
How did this unique toilet come to be?
The Golden Throne. (Image: Joanne Karcz)
When community-minded Bates, former editor of the Fraser Coast Chronicle, went to use the toilets in late 2019, she thought, “Hell – this is in the middle of what is now a tourist precinct and it’s not good enough." She wanted “toilets to pull people off the highway [and] see what other marvels, quirky attractions…we had to offer."
The wall-to-ceiling artworks on the walls took so long to complete that committee member Greig Bolderrow suggested dropping the original name ‘Divine Dunnies’ and calling the facility the ‘Cistern Chapel’. The name stuck.
Since opening in May 2022, thousands have passed through the doors to spend a penny or to be shown around by a “Flusher Usher."
What to expect in the Cistern Chapel
Local artist Akos Juhasz painted the murals in the ladies’ and men’s restrooms. (Image: Joanne Karcz)
Volunteer “Flusher Ushers" run the tours. They ensure the coast is clear for men to check out the ladies’ loo, where they’ll hear classical chamber music suited to the feminine theme. Murals depict women in soft white, flowing dresses as they smell and pick the flowers in a cottage garden. Fresh flowers in hand-carved wooden vases adorn the windowsill.
When I take a seat, it’s a little disconcerting that the woman on the wall appears to be watching me. A second cubicle, with walls of gold, houses a golden throne beneath a gilt-framed mirror.
Local artist, Akos Juhasz, painted the ladies’ and men’s toilets. The latter have an industrial feel. The first locomotive to be built in Queensland, the Mary Ann, was built in Maryborough and features on one wall. Beside it is the bespectacled face of Maryborough Mayor Billy Demaine, who defied the no vote in a 1935 referendum to make the city the second in Queensland to get a sewerage system.
(Image: Joanne Karcz)
The women in the planning committee had a bit of fun with the men’s loo. A statue of Apollo holds a magnifying glass in his outstretched hand above the urinals as Handel’s Water Music plays in the background.
Gary Madden, also a local, painted the whimsical scene in the parents’ room. It’s a fun place for little people who’ll enjoy finding the creatures hidden in the artwork. Butterflies, a frog, a willy wagtail. Little furry friends fly in the hot air balloons hanging from the ceiling.
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Where to find the Cistern Chapel
The cheekily named toiles have become an attraction in their own right. (Image: Joanne Karcz)
Maryborough, a city of Queensland’s Fraser Coast, is a short half-hour drive south of Hervey Bay and a three-hour drive north of Brisbane. The Cistern Chapel is on the side of the Town Hall alongside Town Hall Green.
There’s more to Maryborough than a unique toilet
Find St Mary of the Cross MacKillop painted on the Maryborough Mural Trail. (Image: Joanne Karcz)
Visitors will meet a bronze statue of Duncan Chapman, the first ANZAC ashore at Gallipoli, when they discover the Gallipoli to Armistice Trail. Chapman was born in Maryborough.
Story Bank is housed in the former bank where Mary Poppins’ creator, P.L. Travers, was born. The whimsical interactive display will appeal to adults and children alike.
Only one of the 39 VCs awarded for the Gallipoli Campaign is on display outside the Australian War Memorial. You can see it in Maryborough’s Military and Colonial Museum.
Pop into the Visitor Information Centre in the City Hall to collect a map of the two-kilometre mural trail. There are 39 murals to discover. And while you’re there, ask about the free 90-minute Heritage Walking Tour.
Mary Poppins sliding down the banister in Story Bank. (Image: Joanne Karcz)
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Consider this your cheat sheet to holidaying on Hamilton Island with the clan.
Keeping everyone in your crew happy on holidays is no small feat. Yet ask any parent who’s been and they’ll unanimously agree Hamilton Island multi-gen travel overdelivers – for many reasons.
Taking the family to this premier island destination is a rite of passage for many Aussie parents. Not only is Hamo stuffed to the brim with fun activities to suit all ages, but it’s accessible, safe and super easy to get around thanks to its relatively small size. And I suppose the fact that it’s undeniably stunning doesn’t hurt either.
Whether you’re spending time together creating magical memories or relaxing while giving the young ones some kids’ club time, this guide breaks down everything there is to know about holidaying on Hamilton Island for families.
Getting there, and around
Hire a buggy and explore at your own pace.
The easiest and most fuss-free way to get to Hamilton Island is to fly to Great Barrier Reef Airport, located on the island. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. Alternatively, fly to Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) near Airlie Beach, then take a ferry from Shute Harbour with Cruise Whitsundays, which operates services daily.
Once you’re here, rental buggies make it easy to zip around from A to B (not to mention being a fun activity in themselves – the kids will love it).
Where to stay
Reef View Hotel offers pool and sea. (Credit: Kara Rosenlund)
Part of what makes Hamilton Island so appealing is its diverse range of family-friendly accommodation. Many include return airport or marina shuttles, along with complimentary use of non-motorised watersports equipment – making it easy to relax as soon as you step foot on the island.
Reef View Hotel is one of the most popular picks due to its spacious suites perfect for larger families and proximity to the island’s resort centre – a happening hub of restaurants, pools and water activities.
Meanwhile, families looking for something more self-contained can check into Palm Bungalows. Each modern bungalow is enveloped by lush tropical gardens and offers a kitchenette, bar fridge, microwave and coffee facilities – plus a private balcony for card games and evening drinks.
Take in pool and sea at The Sundays.
The Sundays is another fantastic option for families. The newest hotel on Hamilton Island, it has serious bragging rights thanks to its coastal chic design and stellar location at the end of Catseye Beach. Opt for one of the Family Connect Rooms for extra breathing room.
For that relaxed, home-away-from-home feeling, Hamilton Island Holiday Homes hit the nail on the head. Choose from more than 100 self-catering homes dotted around the island that accommodate both large groups and smaller families. From waterfront luxury to spacious villas, there’s something for everyone.
Family tip: Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows and The Sundays all participate in Hamilton Island’s Kids Stay Free program, earning themselves a reputation as some of the best family-friendly accommodation on Hamilton Island. No extra charge is added for up to one or two (dependent on the hotel) children under 12 who are sharing a room with parents and using existing bedding.
Where to eat
Sit down to a feast at coca chu.
Hamilton Island’s foodie scene is seriously worth its salt. From just-caught seafood to family-friendly staples, even the fussiest of eaters will be satisfied.
Start at coca chu, one of the best Hamilton Island restaurants for families. Spotlighting vibrant Southeast Asian flavours, it offers a lively, high-ceiling setting overlooking Catseye Beach. Nearby is Catseye Pool Club, Josh and Julie Niland’s breezy coastal venue that’s at once elevated and laidback. Dishing up the likes of charcoal tiger prawns with lemongrass marinade and Greek-style lamb shoulder, it’s the perfect place to celebrate birthdays or milestone moments with older kids.
Got young ones who recoil at the sight of vegetables? Not to worry. Head straight to Romano’s for please-all pizza, or Marina Tavern for hearty pub classics in a relaxed atmosphere complete with an outdoor deck.
Grab some tasty bites by the pool at Catseye Pool Club.
For brekkie or lunch, Bob’s Bakery is a family favourite for affordable pastries, sandwiches and pies, while Marina Cafe serves up bacon and egg rolls and salads with fresh smoothies. And Popeye’s does a mean fish and chips to go.
Sails Restaurant is the place to be for poolside bites with views of the Whitsundays’ famous turquoise waters. The kids can splash in the pool while parents sip spritzes and graze on mezze plates of za’atar pita, hummus and olives. The menu leans Mediterranean and Middle Eastern, though you’ll also find plenty of kid-friendly crowd favourites such as ham and cheese toasties. For something extra special, book in the Piper Package – expect exclusive access to a king-size sunbed with a shaded umbrella, plus a chilled bottle of Piper-Heidsieck NV Champagne and a showstopping seafood platter (I still have dreams about it).
Where to explore
Explore the island’s walking trails.
There are bucket loads of family-friendly activities on Hamilton Island that the whole clan can do together. First stop: hiring a buggy and taking your time to explore the island at your own pace. Next stop: getting active and creating memories together in the process.
One of the best activities on Hamilton Island for families is tackling one (or more) of its beautiful bush and walking trails, with the one-hour hike to Passage Peak a standout for panoramic views of the surrounding islands. Morning is a great time to go to beat the heat (and other walkers).
For the active and adventurous, the all-new E-mountain biking facilities make for an adrenaline-packed experience your teens won’t be able to stop talking about. It’s a self-guided trail taking riders to some of the island’s quietest and most scenic pockets, and the knowledgeable staff at Hamilton Island Trails HQ will fit you out with all the gear you need for a safe adventure.
Check out the all-new E-mountain biking facilities.
Come sunset, you’d be silly not to head up to One Tree Hill at least once during your stay. Offering breathtaking 360-degree views as the sun brushes the horizon with gold, it’s a popular place for groups and families to come together and enjoy a drink from the pop-up cocktail van.
Family tip: If you’re staying at the Sundays, Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows or Hamilton Island Holiday Homes, you’ll enjoy complimentary access to a range of water activities, including catamarans, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkel equipment at Catseye Beach. Keep an eye out for the turtles that love to hang around the shallow fringing reef.
Where to play
Take the family on a day tour to places like Heart Reef.
Kids are sure to have a field trip thanks to the island’s abundance of child-centric offerings.
Parents in need of some ‘me time’ can drop little ones between six months and 12 years off at the Clownfish Club, located near the Resort Centre and Pool. Overseen by trained professionals, the nursery offers a calm space for toddlers and babies with a balance of gentle play and rest. Meanwhile, older kids can unleash their imaginations with age-appropriate craft, games and group activities.
Hamilton Island Wildlife is another must-visit stop. Fun for children of all ages (and adults too!), the centre provides up-close encounters with a variety of cute and fascinating Aussie animals. Think marsupials, snakes, lizards, koalas and kangaroos, along with a giant saltwater crocodile. Catch the 10am or 2pm daily tours (included with entry) guided by expert keepers, or opt for a 30-minute private or small-group VIP encounter with an animal of your choice.
More kid-friendly entertainment awaits at Palm Valley Activities, where you can race around the go-karting track and reach up to 45 kilometres per hour. Kids under 16 can ride as passengers in double go-karts. Or perhaps try your hand at mini golf at the HI Fitness Club, navigating palms, playful challenges and pathways that wind through lush tropical gardens.
Keen to explore further afield? A wide range of Hamilton Island day trips promise endless excitement, from snorkelling on a Great Barrier Reef tour and chartering a boat to marvelling at the swirling sands of Whitehaven Beach from a scenic plane.
