Kilkivan: The Complete Guide

Kilkivan is a small country town in Queensland, a 215km drive north of Brisbane and a 50km drive west of Gympie. The town was originally built on a brief gold rush, but now it is surrounded by agriculture and is a hub to support the beef and grain farms surrounding it.

There is a lot to do and see in Kilkivan. Read on below to see our complete guide for day-trippers or people who are having extended stays in Kilkivan.

We cover all the activities that you could want to do with adults and kids in tow.

Kilkivan Quick Facts

Map of Features and Attractions in Kilkivan

Kilkivan Camping and Caravan Parks

There are several different types of camping and caravan grounds around Kilkivan, they are:

Kilkivan Bush Camping & Caravan Park

A popular camping and caravanning destination in this area, there are powered and unpowered sites, glamping chalets and safari tents, an option to suit everyone’s camping style.

Kids will be entertained here with plenty to do from swimming in the pool or creek or there is a playground to be enjoyed.

Fat Hen Park

This small overnight campground/rest stop is just 6kms east of Kilkivan on the Wide Bay Highway. There is a toilet block and enough room for a large trailer to park up and turn around.

Handlebar Haven

Handlebar Haven is located in the town of Kilkivan and is a campground that is for bikers only.

RSL Memorial Park Free Campground

Also in the middle of Kilkivan, this is a free caravan park that is conveniently located across the road from the Kilkivan Hotel Motel and next to Lester Miller park. It has the basic facilities needed for a quick stopover on the way to your destination.

Caravan/Camping Waste Point

If you are just passing through Kilkivan and just need to dump your waste on the way through, you can do this here at the Caravan/Camping Waste Point.

There is also a toilet block here and some space to park and turn your caravan around.

Hanging Rock Creek – The Garden Shed

Available to book on Airbnb, this is a country stay with all the amenities that you would need to be comfortable. Staying here gives you easy access to Oakview National Park and other closer walking tracks.

Kilkivan Accommodation

Neureum Park

Located 4kms north of Kilkivan, Neureum Park has 2 luxury eco villas. They offer other services here from guided walks, to counselling and can also provide food and drinks on request. There is a no children policy here – and they only allow people over 18 years of age.

Kilkivan Hotel-Motel

If you are after an overnight stay and aren’t camping or caravanning, you can stop by the big pink building in the middle of town. the Kilkivan Hotel-Motel. They serve pub-style food there and provide clean rooms for anyone staying over.

Kilkivan Country Bed & Breakfast

For a relaxed and welcoming accommodation, you could visit the Kilkivan Country Bed & Breakfast. This place is within walking distance from the centre of the town and is centrally located in several other tourist locations.

They also offer another accommodation called Creekbend, which is a whole house and requires a minimum 3-night stay.

Restaurants & Cafes in Kilkivan

There are a handful of restaurants in Kilkivan that will satisfy your cravings.

• Julie’s Cafe
• Kilkivan General Store
• Kilkivan Hotel-Motel

Things to see and do in Kilkivan

There is a lot to see and do in Kilkivan, so much so that you could stay a week and still have more left to do.

Visit a National Park

There are two national parks located near Kilkivan.

Oakview National Park

Depending on the road conditions, this walking track may only be accessible to people who only have a 4wd.

Mudlo National Park

The hike here can be challenging for some as it has a steep ascent. There is a lookout at the end of it which will hopefully make it feel like worth your while.

Visit a Local Monument or Museum

There are many different sights to see around Kilkivan, some of the must-see monuments and lookouts include:

• Mount Clara Smelter
• The Kilkivan Great Horse Ride statue
• Kilkivan Shire Museum (also used as the information centre)

Activities to Do in Kilkivan

Walk, Run or Ride the National Trail

Kilkivan is along the National Trail, which is a +5000km track that was originally a stock route in the early days of Australia’s settlers. You can explore parts of the track from here on foot or bike, or if you have one a horse.

A good place to look at starting is from Kilkivan Station.

Takes the Kids to The Playground

We’ve used this playground to let the kids stretch their legs out and burn some energy. There’s enough there to keep them busy for half an hour.

Features of this playground include:

• Fully fenced,
• Mostly shaded (depending on the position of the sun), and
• Plenty of play equipment.

Skatepark

If you brought the kids’ scooters or skateboards along, hang out at the skate park and have some fun.

Have a Picnic

At the Kilkivan RSL Memorial Park, there are picnic and BBQ facilities for you to have free use of, which include:

• Free BBQs
• Rotunda
• Exercise “chin up” bars
• Park benches
• Public toilets

Play Golf

The Kilkivan Golf Course is a 9 hole sand green golf course that has just reopened again in 2020. Contact them before you get there to see if they are open through their Facebook page.

Walk Around the Bjelke-Petersen Dam

A 35-minute drive from Kilkivan is the Bjelke-Petersen Dam Caravan & Recreation Park.

Here there are some walks that will take you around the banks of the dam. You can also fish in the dam (expect to catch Golden Perch, Bass and Silver Perch), and you can also do lots on the dam including kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, water skiing and sailing.

If you are staying at the camping and caravan park Yallakool Park other activities you will be able to do are:

• Bird watching on the dam
• Bushwalking along the dam banks
• Family playtime in the open spaces
• Play at the tennis court or pool

If interested in the area you can stay at the Yallakool Park to get more time to explore.

Fossick for Gold

You can fossick for gold along the river beds near Mudlo Park at McSweeny Haven. To do it here will cost you an extra $25 per day and you will also need to obtain your own permit before going out and fossicking.

Other Places in Kilkivan include:

• Kilkivan Showgrounds
• Kilkivan Rifle Range
• Kilkivan Public Hall
• Kilkivan Bowls Club

Tourist Maps of Kilkivan

The maps in the below photos are available in the Lions Playground.

Final Thoughts

I hope you found this guide to be useful. Please let me know what your favourite place to see in Kilkivan is.