Population 691 (2011 census) Postcode(s) 4600 State electorate(s) Callide Local time Tuesday 5:31 AM | Established 1840s LGA(s) Gympie Region Postal code 4600 Federal division Division of Wide Bay | |
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Location 224 km (139 mi) from Brisbane
54 km (34 mi) from Gympie
93 km (58 mi) from Kingaroy Weather 22°C, Wind E at 11 km/h, 98% Humidity | ||
Kilkivan /ˈkɪlkiːvæn/ is a town in the Gympie Region of Queensland, Australia. The town is located on the Wide Bay Highway, 224 kilometres (139 mi) north of the state capital, Brisbane and 54 kilometres (34 mi) west of Gympie. At the 2011 census, Kilkivan had a population of 691.
Contents
Map of Kilkivan QLD 4600, Australia
History
Kilkivan was first inhabited by the Gubbi Gubbi tribe of the Australian Aboriginal peoples. The town was first settled by Europeans in the 1840s. Queensland’s first gold discovery was at Kilkivan in 1852 and subsequent findings escalated into a gold rush in the 1860s. The town was named for a pastoral run owned by pastoralist John Daniel Mactaggart after his father's farm name in Kintyre, Scotland.
Kilkivan Post Office opened on 8 June 1868. It was known as Neureum between 1876 and 1881.
The Kilkivan War Memorial commemorates those of the district who served in the wars. It was dedicated on 28 March 1996.
Kilkivan State School opened in March 1876.
Attractions
The Kilkivan and District Museum and information centre in the main street features extensive displays which pay tribute to the regions early pioneers at the museum.
The country town features parks and restored historical buildings. Kilkivan has antique stores, a historical walk, and a cafe and B&B housed in the town's original bank.
Kilkivan is one of the few towns on the Bicentennial National Trail. A stone plaque commemorates the opening of the trail in 1988.
The Kilkivan Great Horse Ride is held annually in April. Over 1,000 horses and riders start from five points around Kilkivan and travel 20 – 30 kilometres (19 mi) along parts of the National Trail to Kilkivan for the Grand Parade down the main street.
Mudlo Gap is a popular forest park 8.5 kilometres (5.3 mi) north of Kilkivan.
Mount Clara chimney, thought to be the oldest surviving mining industry chimney in Queensland, also among the first built, is located 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) by road outside town, and is now conserved as a tourist attraction.
Economy
Major industries today include tourism, beef, dairying and forestry.
Heritage listings
Kilkivan has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: