Kilkivan, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kilkivan Queensland
Kilkivan Hotel-Motel
Kilkivan Location in Queensland
Population	689 (2021 census)
• Density	4.361/km2 (11.29/sq mi)
Established	1840s
Postcode(s)	4600
Area	158.0 km2 (61.0 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	49.6 km (31 mi) WNW of Gympie 216 km (134 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Gympie Region
State electorate(s)	Nanango
Federal Division(s)	Wide Bay
Localities around Kilkivan: Tansey Mudlo Woolooga Cinnabar Kilkivan Oakview Black Snake Oakview Oakview

Kilkivan is a small town and area in the countryside of the Gympie Region in Queensland, Australia. It's a rural place, meaning it's mostly farms and natural areas. In 2021, about 689 people lived in Kilkivan.

Exploring Kilkivan's Location

Kilkivan is located on the Wide Bay Highway. It's about 229 kilometers (142 miles) north of Brisbane, which is the capital city of Queensland. It's also about 50.4 kilometers (31.3 miles) west of a larger town called Gympie.

A small stream called One Mile Creek flows through the town. Kilkivan is also part of the Mary River drainage basin. This means that all the rain that falls in this area eventually flows into the Mary River.

There's a small area within Kilkivan called Rossmore. It's a neighborhood located to the south-west of the main town.

A Glimpse into Kilkivan's Past

An architectural drawing of the Court House, Police Quarters and Lockup in Kilkivan from 1884.

The land where Kilkivan now stands was first home to the Wakka Wakka people, an Aboriginal tribe of Australia. European settlers arrived in the 1840s.

A very exciting event happened in Kilkivan in 1852: the first discovery of gold in Queensland! This led to a "gold rush" in the 1860s, where many people came hoping to find their fortune.

The town got its name from a large farm called a "pastoral run." This farm was owned by John Daniel MacTaggart, who named it after his father's farm in Scotland.

Important Buildings and Services

• The Kilkivan Post Office opened its doors on June 8, 1868.
• Kilkivan State School, which is still open today, started teaching students in March 1876.
• In 1883, a court house, police station, and jail were built. It was a wooden building with an iron roof and had rooms for the police and a court.

The Railway Line

In December 1886, a railway line called the Nanango railway line reached Kilkivan. This was a big deal because it made it easier to transport goods and people. There were three railway stations in the area:

• Bular railway station
• Mouingba railway station
• Kilkivan railway station

People were very excited about the railway, and more buildings were planned near the station. However, the railway line officially closed in early 2010.

The Kilkivan War Memorial, built to remember those who served in wars.

The Kilkivan War Memorial was built to remember the people from the area who served in wars. It was officially opened on March 28, 1996.

Who Lives in Kilkivan?

In 2016, the area of Kilkivan had a population of 713 people. By 2021, the population was 689 people.

Special Places in Kilkivan

Kilkivan has some places that are listed as "heritage-listed sites." This means they are important historical places that are protected. One of these is the Mount Clara smelter on Rossmore Road. A smelter is a place where metal is extracted from ore using heat.

Kilkivan's Economy

Today, the main ways people make a living in Kilkivan are through:

• Tourism: People visit Kilkivan for its history and attractions.
• Beef farming: Raising cattle for meat.
• Dairying: Raising cows for milk.
• Forestry: Managing and harvesting trees for wood.

Learning in Kilkivan

Kilkivan State School in 2020.

Kilkivan State School is a government school for students from Prep (the first year of school) up to Year 10. It teaches both boys and girls. In 2018, about 127 students attended the school.

For students who want to continue their schooling up to Year 12, the closest government high school is James Nash State High School in Gympie.

What Kilkivan Offers

• Kilkivan Library: The Gympie Regional Council runs a public library on Bligh Street, where you can borrow books and use computers.
• Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA): The local branch of the QCWA meets at their hall on Park Street. This building used to be the council chambers back in 1890! The QCWA helps women in rural areas and supports the community.
• Kilkivan Bowls Club: If you enjoy lawn bowls, there's a club on Crescent Street.

Fun Things to Do in Kilkivan

Kilkivan has many interesting things to see and do, especially if you love history and the outdoors!

• Kilkivan and District Museum: This museum in the main street has lots of displays that show what life was like for the early settlers in the region. It's a great place to learn about the past.
• Historical Walk: You can take a walk around town to see the old buildings and learn about their history. There are also antique stores, a cafe, and a bed and breakfast in the town's original bank building.
• Bicentennial National Trail: Kilkivan is one of the few towns located on this very long trail that stretches across Australia. A stone plaque in town remembers when the trail was opened in 1988.

The Kilkivan Great Horse Ride

This is a really popular annual event held every April. More than 1,000 horses and riders start from different points around Kilkivan. They travel 20 to 30 kilometers (12 to 19 miles) along parts of the National Trail. Then, they all meet in Kilkivan for a big parade down the main street!

Natural Attractions

• Mudlo Gap: This is a popular forest park about 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) north of Kilkivan. It's a great spot to enjoy nature.
• Mount Clara chimney: About 13 kilometers (8 miles) outside of town, you can find the chimney of the Mount Clara Copper Smelter. It's thought to be the oldest surviving mining chimney in Queensland and is now a tourist attraction.

The Mount Clara smelter and chimney.

The Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail

This is an 88-kilometer (55-mile) long trail that follows the path of the old railway line between Kilkivan and Kingaroy. It's a great place for walking, cycling, or even horse riding. The trail passes through several towns like Goomeri, Murgon, and Wondai. The part of the trail from Kilkivan to Murgon is unsealed, meaning it's a dirt path. There's even a new bridge over Wide Bay Creek that opened in October 2021.