Mary Poppins Festival 2026
Picture parasols floating above sandstone heritage streetscapes, chimney sweeps sprinting along the riverfront, and hundreds of Marys — bonnets, carpet bags and all — gathered in the warm winter sun of Queensland’s Fraser Coast.
On 5 July 2026, the annual Mary Poppins Festival returns to Maryborough
, and it remains one of the most spellbinding — and completely free — family events in the entire Queensland school holidays calendar.
Whether you’re driving up from Brisbane for the day or making a proper Fraser Coast weekend of it, this is one event that genuinely delivers magic for every age group. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Quick Reference: Mary Poppins Festival 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday 5 July 2026 |
| Times | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Location | Queens Park & Portside Precinct, Maryborough QLD 4650 |
| Address | Richmond St & Wharf St, Maryborough QLD 4650 |
| Cost | FREE |
| Hosted by | Fraser Coast Regional Council |
| Phone | (07) 4196 9630 |
| Parking | Street parking throughout Maryborough CBD |
What Is the Mary Poppins Festival?
Maryborough is the birthplace of Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers, whose beloved novels were brilliantly adapted for the popular Disney movie of the same name and the award-winning musical.
According to the State Library of Queensland, the author was born in the town as Helen Lyndon Goff in 1899.
The free event, hosted by the Fraser Coast Regional Council, takes place throughout the heritage Portside Precinct and Queens Park.
Maryborough’s heritage streetscapes and riverside parks are transformed through a storytelling program that transcends genres and presents a mix of art, culture, music and literature.
It’s a day that works on every level — tiny children wide-eyed at the parade floats, tweens racing chimney sweep-style through the streets, and parents quietly marvelling at one of Queensland’s most charming heritage towns.
What’s On: The Full Festival Program
Visitors can expect storytelling sessions, local markets and children’s workshops across the Portside Precinct and Queens Park; the official festival hours for the 5 July 2026 program are 9am–3pm, with individual events scheduled throughout the day.
🎩 The Grand Parade
The Grand Parade is a major highlight of the day, with participants asked to gather at the top of Wharf Street at 2:00pm. Anyone can join the walk, and organisers encourage people to dress in their best costumes or bring along umbrellas and kites to show off as they head toward the main stage.
A colourful procession of floats, characters and performers winds through the streets.
🏃 The Great Nanny Challenge & Chimney Sweep Dash
The Great Nanny Challenge is one of the festival’s quirkiest and most popular events — watch nannies race through the streets pushing prams and cheer on your favourite to the finish line.
The Chimney Sweep Dash sees brushes in hand and heels clicking as the chimney sweeps go head to head in one of the most entertaining races of the day.
🌍 Australian Book of Records Costume Attempt
Make sure to dress up and participate in the Australian Book of Records Attempt for the Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Mary Poppins-Themed Characters!
The official attempt to break the record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Mary Poppins characters features a count starting at 1:45pm at the top of Wharf Street.
🎶 Grand Finale Sing-Along
Following the parade, a communal grand-finale sing-along will take place at the main stage at 2:45pm.
Bring a blanket, settle in on the grass at Queens Park, and let the whole family belt out a chorus or two.
🎨 Pavement Art, Storytelling & Workshops
Creative storytelling through pavement art, hands-on workshops, and live entertainment honouring the legacy of P.L. Travers
runs throughout the day across multiple precincts.
Mary Poppins Festival Sketching takes place from 9:30am at the Portside Precinct
, while the festival also activates at Gatakers Artspace from 10:00am.
🛍️ Market Stalls, Street Food & Rides
Browse handcrafted goods, toys and treats, or grab a bite from one of the many local food vendors.
Characters from the novel such as Mary Poppins and Admiral Boom firing his cannon
make appearances throughout the day, alongside rides and pavement artists.
You might also like:
Don’t Miss: The Story Bank — P.L. Travers’ Actual Birthplace
The festival is spectacular, but the real magic of Maryborough runs deeper.
P.L. Travers was born Helen Lyndon Goff in Maryborough, Queensland, on August 9, 1899, in the top floor apartment of the Australian Joint Stock Bank managed by her father, Travers Goff.
In 2019, the building was renovated and converted into the Story Bank, Australia’s only museum dedicated to the life and legacy of P.L. Travers and her famous book character.
The rooms of this historical building are filled with movie memorabilia, items from Travers’ estate including letters and photographs, and interactive exhibits. Children are encouraged to write their own fairytales by opening up a “story bank” account and depositing their stories.
The Story Bank is open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30am to 3:30pm, and on weekends and public holidays from 9:30am to 2:00pm, with last entries one hour before closing. Admission fees are $16 for adults, $8 for children (5–17 years), and $12.50 for concessions.
Inside there are also stories from the Butchulla people in the Yarning Circle. ‘The Legends of Moonie Jarl’ was first published in 1964 and is the first Australian children’s book of Aboriginal stories to be written and illustrated by Aboriginal people.
You might also like:
What to Wear: Dress the Part!
Come dressed in your Mary Poppins finery and become part of Maryborough’s history!
The costume contest and world record attempt mean your outfit choices genuinely matter.
Dress up as Mary, Bert, the Banks children, a chimney sweep, or any Poppins favourite and take part in the costume judging or the official character count.
Even a pinstripe suit and a bowler hat will go a long way.
Practical Tips for Families
- Seating:
Take a picnic blanket or chairs as there’s no allocated seating.
- Accessibility:
The event is held in accessible parklands and is great for all ages.
The Story Bank also has ramped access and wide doorways throughout.
- Parking:
Street parking throughout the surrounding Maryborough CBD is available.
Arrive early on festival day — spots fill quickly.
- RV Travellers:
Free 48-hour RV camping sites are available at the Alan and June Brown Car Park near Maryborough’s CBD.
- Wet weather: July is Maryborough’s dry season — expect mild, sunny winter days perfect for a full day outdoors.
How to Get to Maryborough
By Car:
The Fraser Coast is a comfortable three-hour drive, 260km north of Queensland’s capital city Brisbane, along the Bruce Highway (A1), with a dual carriageway as far as Gympie.
Maryborough is just off the main highway, with Hervey Bay a further 30km north-east on the coast.
By Train:
Queensland Rail operates regular daily services from Brisbane, Rockhampton and Cairns stopping at Maryborough West station on the Fraser Coast.
By Bus:
Greyhound and Premier coach lines operate several north and southbound services each day to Maryborough and Hervey Bay.
By Air:
Qantas operates multiple 35-minute daily flights between Brisbane and Hervey Bay Airport, while Jetstar has direct flights from both Sydney and Melbourne to Hervey Bay.
Maryborough is just 30 minutes from Hervey Bay Airport by car.
Make a Weekend of It: Fraser Coast Extras
The Mary Poppins Festival is the perfect anchor for a bigger Fraser Coast school holiday escape.
The region includes popular destinations like Hervey Bay, historic Maryborough, and World Heritage-listed K’gari (formerly Fraser Island).
From July onwards,
whales come to Hervey Bay to rest and play — with many sticking around for days. Some tours even let you swim with whales for an unforgettable close-up.
Combine the festival with a whale watching cruise out of Hervey Bay or a guided 4WD adventure on K’gari, and you’ve got one of the best Queensland school holiday itineraries going. Browse Queensland tours to find day trips departing from the Fraser Coast region.
You might also like:
You can also explore more Queensland travel guides for the rest of your school holiday planning across the state.
5 Reasons the Mary Poppins Festival Is Worth the Drive
- It’s completely free — the main program costs nothing at all
- It falls squarely in the July school holidays — perfect timing for Queensland families
- The heritage setting is extraordinary — Maryborough’s Victorian streetscapes are genuinely cinematic
- You can be in the world record attempt — real stakes, real fun for kids
- The surrounding region is stacked — K’gari, Hervey Bay whale watching, and the islands of the Great Barrier Reef are all within reach
There are Queensland beaches nearby too — Rainbow Beach is just 90 minutes south for an afternoon on the sand after the parade wraps up at 3pm.
