Since as early as 1859, Maryborough has been a destination for immigrants arriving in Australia.

Then as today, Australia was seen as a land of endless opportunities for those willing to undertake the arduous journey with little knowledge of what the future held.

Fleeing both religious and political unease in Europe many Germans saw Australia as a place where life held the promise of freedom and security many felt impossible to achieve in Germany.

Some 22,000 migrants entered Australia directly from Europe by sailing ship through the port of Maryborough from 1859.

Approximately 4,000 of these were German.