Marburg - QLD

Population - 1000

Marburg is situated 55km west of Brisbane , just off the Warrego Highway to Toowoomba. The area was originally settled in the early days of Queensland settlement by mainly German pioneers. By the 1870's the village had changed names several times including Sally Owens Plains, Rosewood Scrub and Frederich, it is suggested that around this time the local German settlers felt that the town resembled a place named Marburg in Germany and so named it thus.

Marburg today assumes a quiet pace somewhat more relaxed than in its history when the town was a bustling farming community. These days the Warrego Highway races by to the north of the town. This quieter pace, suits Marburg perfectly making it an ideal place to stop for refreshments or a meal and a look around. The town itself is a fine example of a typical community of the 1900's through to the 1940's with many buildings showing their original history.The Marburg Hotel, built in 1881 is excellent example of this traditional architecture.

Accommodation

There are many types of accommodation to choose from around Marburg, from Bed & Breakfast, Motel, Guesthouses, Self Catered, Camping, Cabins and Caravan Parks are available.

Whatever your style, you'll find a great place to stay near Marburg.

Tours at and to Marburg

There are many Tours of the Marburg region, from both Brisbane and Ipswich.

• Warrego Wines has a winery tour at 10:00am Saturdays and Sundays.
• Woodlands of Marburg has an informative tour of the Historic Woodlands House.

Marburg's Tourism Operators have a great knowledge of their wonderful locality, So why not experience it with people who know all the best spots.

Whatever your style, you'll find a great Tour at Marburg.

Woodlands House

Things To See and Do

There are so many Things To See and Do around Marburg and it is a great place to base Yourself for Your stay.

Start with a visit to the IpswichVisitor Centre where they can help you with your holiday plans.

Ipswich Visitor Information Centre

14 Queen Victoria Parade,
PO Box 243
Ipswich
Queensland, 4305
Phone 07 3281 0555
Fax 07 3281 0199
Email: info@ipswichtourism.com.au www.ipswichtourism.com.au

Or visit the Fernvale Visitor Information Centre at Fernvale.

Fernvale Visitor Information Centre

Historic Marburg is very scenic, and there are so many things to see and do..
# Take a walk around the historic village of Marburg. Places of interest include:

• The German Baptist church on Queen Street
• Bielefeld's Store on the corner of Queen and Edmond Streets which is now an antique shop
• Rosewood Scrub Historical Society's Museum on the opposite corner - They have a wonderful collection of historical photographs of the region on display and are open on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. For more information contact them on 07 54644808 0r by email at rshs@gil.com.au.
• The Historic Marburg Hotel built in 1879

# Visit the Try It Emu Farm on Edmond Street and learn about the wonders of Emu Oil Products.
# Sample some wines at Warrego Wines Winery.
# Visit the Historic Woodlands House.
# Around the area are several interesting cemeteries including the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery near the Emu Farm, the Marburg Anglican Cemetery across the road from Warrego Wines and the Tallegalla Cemetery on the Rosewood Marburg Road (continue south on Queen Street) where the ashes of Sidney Cotton are buried.
# Visit the Australian Motorcycle Museum at Haigslea. The Museum is ideally located on 35 acres at Haigslea, 50km west of Brisbane on the Warrego Highway.
# Other interesting places in the Marburg area include, Haigslea and Rosewood.

Finding somewhere to Eat out at Marburg is fairly easy, with several excellent options to try.

• The Marburg Hotel Serves lunch and dinner.
• Woodlands of Marburg has dining facilities

For the Sports person both Golf and Bowls clubs are well situated within a short drive of Marburg.

Local History

Marburg was named in the 1870's, after the city of Marburg in the North German State of Hesse-Nassau. Many of the pioneer settlers in the Marburg area had emigrated from Germany and compared the local surrounds to their homeland. Prior to the name Marburg being chosen the area had been called Sally Owens Plains, Rosewood Scrub and Frederich. The early settlers began timber felling as an early industry which lead to cleared areas that could be developed for farming.
In around 1879 the first part of the Marburg Hotel was built for Marburg farmer and Walloon publican, Weigand Raabe. Raabe's death in 1883, lead to several changes in Licensees. In around 1890 the second story of the Hotel was added.
In the early 1880's a sugar plantation and sugar mill were started nearby at Woodlands where South Sea Islanders were used as a labour force. Many local farmers also grew cane to supply the mill.
In 1885 the streets of Marburg were lit with electricity for the opening of the School of Arts. A special electricity line was erected from the electrical plant at the Woodlands mill to Marburg for the occasion. By late 1885 the district supported a population of approximately 5,000, and the town boasted a Court House, School of Arts, primary school, two hotels and the electricity supplied from TL Smith's Woodlands sawmill and sugar mill.
In 1912 a French-Canadian doctor named Euchariste Sirois opened a hospital in Marburg, a memorial stone for which can be found on Edmond Street several hundred metres to the west of the town centre cross road..
As with many towns throughout Australia with German heritage and names, Marburg had its name changed during World War I to Townshend. Unusually for many of these changes, the name was reverted back to Marburg in 1920.
From the 1920's to the 1970's the Warrego Highway passed through Marburg. Being half way from Brisbane to Toowoomba, Marburg became a popular stop for travellers, the "Day's Café", now the antique store, became known as "The Half-Way Café". These days the realignment of the Warrego Highway forms a bypass passed Marburg, leaving the town as a small quiet settlement.

Marburg Events Calendar

Marburg Plays Host to Many Great Events during each Year.

Marburg Events Calendar for 2008