Plenty of school holiday fun on the way this Spring
Published on 10 September 2026
Central Goldfields Shire Council has plenty to offer as we celebrate the arrival of spring with a packed program of mostly free school holiday activities from 19 September to 4 October 2026.
Our Spring Holiday Program features hands‑on workshops, creative arts, craft, mural painting, toastie competition, STEM and daily activities at Council’s Maryborough and Dunolly libraries, Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Engage Youth Space and Visitor Centre, as well as at the community-led Maryborough Toy Library.
Activities abound for all ages from infants up to late teens.
Program highlights:
Saturday 19 September – Spring fun with toys
10.30am - 12.30pm, Maryborough Toy Library: Plenty of opportunities for kids to bounce, jump and play. Plus, the Spring Colouring Competition kicks off with multiple prizes to be won. No bookings required – free for children accompanied by a carer.
Monday 21 September – So You Think You Can Game!
5pm – 7pm, Maryborough Toy Library. Come along for a fun-filled night of board games, good company and tasty snacks (provided). For board game lovers aged 10+. No bookings required – free entry for children accompanied by a carer.
Tuesday 22 September – Jungle-themed craft
9.30am – 11.30am, Maryborough & Dunolly Libraries. Bookings not required. Best suited for ages 3-10yrs. Free.
Tuesday 22 September – Exploring STEM
9.30am – 11am, Maryborough Toy Library. Explore, build, and discover! From robots and marble runs to microscopes, our STEM (Science, technology, Engineering and Mathematics) toys spark curiosity and learning. No bookings required – free for children accompanied by a carer.
Wednesday 23 September – Maryborough Inaugural Toastie Championship 2026
11am – 3pm, Engage Youth Hub (in the Nolan St gym building behind Council offices)
Bring your creative toastie talents and toast up a winner. Great prizes.
Friday 25 September – Banner Making for Young People
10am – 3pm, Engage Youth Hub (in the Nolan St gym building behind Council offices). Get creative, brainstorm key messages and help make banners for the Walk Against Family Violence. Food, drink and all materials provided.
Saturday 26 September – Outdoor Play/Sports (AFL Grand Final Day)
10.30am – 12.30pm, Maryborough Toy Library. Get active outdoors! Kick, throw and play with our sports equipment - perfect for Grand Final fun. Footy colour attire encouraged. No bookings required – free for children accompanied by a carer.
Monday 28 September – Free Mural Painting
10am – 3pm, Engage Youth Hub (in the Nolan St gym building behind Council offices). Make your mark on this community artwork in Drakes Walk, Maryborough. Learn new skills. All materials provided. Hosted by local artists Axel Scott Douglas, Nelle Harris and Council’s Youth team.
Tuesday 29 September – Outdoor Fun!
9:30am – 11am, Maryborough Toy Library. Outdoor fun with bubbles, chalk and yard games. No bookings required – free entry for children accompanied by a carer.
Tuesday 29 September – Create & Adopt a Reading Rock
10am – 11.30am, Dunolly Library. Create and adopt a reading rock to take home, complete with adoption certificate and habitat. Bookings not required. Free. Best suited for ages 4+. *Please note, paint pens will be in use.
Wednesday 30 September – Fintastic Fun!
10.30am – 11.30am, Central Goldfields Art Gallery. With Arts Educator Jennifer Latch. A fun, hands-on workshop inspired by Robert Liston’s fish sculptures. Create your own marine creature from all sorts of materials to take home. For children 6–12 years of age. Children must be accompanied by a carer (you will enjoy it too!). $5/child. Bookings required as places are limited. Book online at www.centralgoldfieldsartgallery.com.au or call the Gallery on 5461 6600.
Wednesday 30 September – Melbourne Museum On Location At The Library
10am – 12pm OR 1pm – 4pm, Maryborough Library. Join one of the sessions to check out our pop-up museum, thanks to Museums Victoria. Enjoy all things dinosaur, megafauna and more. Perfect for families. Bookings not required. Free.
Saturday 3 October – Goldfields Festival
Maryborough Toy Library will be at the Goldfields Festival with some of our very best toys for plenty of fun and play! Our Spring Colouring Competition will also run for a few hours. Get your entries in before entries close at 1.30pm. Winners announced at 2pm.
No bookings required – free for children accompanied by a carer.
Daily activities
Explore the Station, Discover Gold!
10am to 4pm daily, Visitor Centre – Maryborough Railway Station: Families can enjoy the Welcome Stranger animation, interactive gold‑themed activities and a free tote bag of take‑home fun.
StoryWalk – Always open
Phillips Gardens, Maryborough: Follow the pages of Little Koala Lost by Blaze Kwaymullina and Jess Racklyeft.
Full program details and registration links are available at: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/springfun2026