Kenilworth is a small town, with a population of less than 300, in the beautiful upper Mary Valley Country
Kenilworth is a small town, with a population of less than 300, in the beautiful upper Mary Valley Country, behind the Blackall Ranges and only about one and a half hours drive north of Brisbane. The Mary River flows North from Maleny, through Conondale, Kenilworth, Gympie, Tiaro, Maryborough, and then into the sea opposite Frazer Island.
The town retains its 1920's atmosphere and, for the visitor, has a surprising amount of interest with a very engaging historical museum and a good range of shops, an art gallery and a cheese, yoghurt and ice-cream factory.
The Kenilworth State Forest provides excellent opportunities for horse riding, walking and fishing. The area has a wide variety of options for accomodation from basic camping to luxury retreats.
A drive taking in Eumundi, Kenilworth and Maleny will provide a stunning variety of scenery, great opportunities for shopping and a wonderful choice of eateries.
History of Settlement at Kenilworth - Exploration
The Mary River, then called the Wide Bay River but known to the Aboriginals as the Numabulla, was discovered in 1842. The Aboriginal name for the Kenilworth area being Hinka Booma. It was not until the 7th September 1847 that Governor Fitzroy named the River after his wife Mary.
Origins of the Town
Richard Smith tendered to set up a cattle run on the east bank of the Mary River in 1850. At the time Mrs Smith was reading Sir Walter Scott's novel "Kenilworth" and she decided to name the property "Kenilworth" after the novel. The town was surveyed off Kenilworth Station in 1921 and took the name of the Station.
Farming
During the second half of the 19th Century, the Smiths took up more land and other settlers arrived making the district a predominantly dairying area. By 1902 the Kenilworth Farmers' Association was formed. They took a lead in progressing the district and, in 1906, built a Public Hall which later housed a library and hosted dances. In 1905 the Association was responsible for establishing a co-operative butter factory which opened in Caboolture in 1907.
Also established was the Kenilworth Farmers' Co-operative Store in Eumundi. In 1912 a steam powered sawmill was built on Coolabine Creek. In 1921 Kenilworth Station was sold off, broken up and divided into dairy farms and allotments for the establishment of Kenilworth Township. By 1925 all the large estates in the district had been subdivided and sold. Today dairying is still a major part of farming in the area but there has been diversification into fruit and vegetables and pig farming.
The Homestead
Kenilworth Homestead still exists, though the 10,000 hectare cattle station is now reduced to 50 hectares. Since 1875, the Homestead and out-buildings have continually been restored and extended, still keeping as much of its original structure as possible. It is now used as a camping and riding centre.
Growth of the Town
The first store was opened in Kenilworth in 1922 and the first butcher's shop appeared in 1924, in the same year as a new hall was opened. The hall accommodated the first district school and, in 1926, was equipped to show silent pictures. The site for a public recreation ground was purchased in 1927 and, in 1933, the Public Hall was moved to this new location. The Church of England Mary Valley Parish was established in 1925.
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