Kilkivan, Queensland
| Kilkivan Queensland | |
|---|---|
 Kilkivan Hotel-Motel | |
  Kilkivan | |
| Coordinates | 26°05′S 152°14′E / 26.083°S 152.233°ECoordinates: 26°05′S 152°14′E / 26.083°S 152.233°E |
| Population | 691 (2011 census)[1] |
| Established | 1840s |
| Postcode(s) | 4600 |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Gympie Region |
| State electorate(s) | Callide |
| Federal Division(s) | Wide Bay |
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.[1]
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.[2]
Kilkivan Post Office opened on 8 June 1868. It was known as Neureum between 1876 and 1881.[3]
The Kilkivan War Memorial commemorates those of the district who served in the wars. It was dedicated on 28 March 1996.[4]
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, a tribute to the town’s golden heyday. Kilkivan has antique stores, a historical walk and a unique cafe and B&B is housed in the town's original bank.
With strong historical links to the old coach and stock routes, 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.[5]
Economy
Major industries today include tourism, beef, dairying and forestry.
Heritage listings
Kilkivan has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- Rossmore Road: Mount Clara chimney[6]
References
- 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Kilkivan (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ↑ Natural Resources and Water, Queensland – Place Name section
- ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "Kilkivan War Memorial". Monument Australia. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
- ↑ "Travel - Kilkivian". The Age. Fairfax. 8 February 2004. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ↑ "Mount Clara Smelter (entry 600640)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
External links
Media related to Kilkivan, Queensland at Wikimedia Commons