Maryborough - Bristol Hill Tower and Lookout
Bristol Hill Tower stands on a hill overlooking Maryborough. It not only provides an excellent view of the city and sweeping countryside, but it is connected to local history.
Bristol Hill Tower was erected during the Great Depression, (1929-1935) as a memorial commemorating the pioneers of the region. The Tower was built by labour and funds secured by the Unemployment Relief Committee, it not only provided work for many people but was a huge morale booster as well. Maryborough, like many country towns suffered extreme financial hardship during the Depression, with many people out of work. Many in the community relied on the railways for paid work.
It is situated at the edge of the Bristol Hill Reserve and offers great views of the town. Bristol Hill (905 m above sea-level) is based upon and named after Bristol Reef which was mined for gold from the late 1850s. There are old tailings to the west of the tower.
It was once a scarred quartz hill but is now a popular place for visitors to the town. The name Bristol comes from Bristol Reef which operated there during the gold rush days. The bluestone steps came from the old Maryborough Jail and three blocks have verses from the Australian poet, Henry Lawson referring to the Australia's pioneers. Opening day was April 16, 1933 and thousands of residents from Maryborough and beyond walked from the Civic Centre to the tower. It was a day of celebration.
Below Bristol Hill is Maryborough's first cemetery with pioneer graves. A white stone cross has been set in the ground in their honour.
Review:
Possibly worth a short visit. You can walk up the winding steps to get to the top of the tower where there are nice views of the surrounding bush area including the town.
There is also a Pioneer Cemetery memorial set in the bushland below the tower and some walks in the bush. The Bristol Hills Walking Track goes past this area and it is 700m to the Avoca Road Park while there is a 1700m Historic Circuit Walk.
Some more tourist information in the area would be a nice addition.
Photos:
Location
Miners Drive, Maryborough 3465 Map
