Kenilworth, Queensland, is a small town in the Mary Valley in the Sunshine Coast Region, known for a bakery that makes 1 kg donuts, a working cheese factory and a fully fenced town park. Visitors come for the food first, then stay for the park, the old buildings and the forest on the town’s edge.
The western part of the town’s locality lies inside Conondale National Park, so a day here pairs well with the rest of the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
The bakery is at 8 Elizabeth Street and the library is at 4A Elizabeth Street. Kenilworth Town Park is on the corner of Charles Street and Elizabeth Street, so you can park once near the park and walk.
The Kenilworth bakery and Kenilworth Dairies
The Kenilworth Country Bakery at 8 Elizabeth Street is made famous by its 1 kg donut challenge and its coffee served in a donut. The big donuts are filled with cream and your choice of jam, custard or Nutella, and they sell out and have to be ordered the day before, according to The Urban List. The bakery is in a heritage-listed building and also sells pies, loaves and sweets, including vegan options.
Kenilworth Dairies makes award-winning cheese, yoghurt and milk, and has an on-site shop and cafe. Visit Sunshine Coast suggests bringing a cooler bag for takeaway treats from the cellar door, and says to try a cheese platter at Poppa’s Cafe, which is part of Kenilworth Dairies.
The cheese factory opened in 1952 under Kraft Foods, and a group of former employees bought it in 1990.
Kenilworth Town Park
Kenilworth Town Park is on the corner of Charles Street and Elizabeth Street, across the road from the shops. The playground is large, fully fenced and suitable for all ages, with shade sails and natural shade. Equipment includes play forts with rope climbs, slides and tunnels, a rope bridge, a flying fox, a Spacenet, swings (including basket swings), rockers, a digger and a story seat. There are also covered shelters, barbecues, picnic tables, public toilets and paths, with street parking nearby.
It is an easy place to let the kids run after a bakery stop, and the shelters and barbecues make it a handy spot for a picnic lunch if you have brought your own.
Heritage buildings and the museum
The Kenilworth Hotel at 18 Elizabeth Street was established in 1939 and keeps its original Art Deco style. It has a brewery that was added in 2019. St John Bosco Roman Catholic Church was opened in 1938 and St Luke’s Anglican Church, at 17 Anne Street, opened in 1955. Kenilworth Homestead on Eumundi-Kenilworth Road is on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Visit Sunshine Coast suggests the Kenilworth Museum for a look at the town’s past. Ring ahead for opening times.
Booloumba Creek and Conondale National Park
Booloumba Creek is in Conondale National Park, about a 10-minute drive from the town. Visit Sunshine Coast describes turquoise water and rock pools. A four-wheel drive is needed to get through the creek crossings, and the creek can dry up at some times of year.
The Booloumba Falls walk is 3 km return, and Visit Sunshine Coast suggests allowing about two hours. Waterfalls can be dangerous, so stick to marked trails, follow the signs, check the forecast and check Queensland Parks alerts before you go.
Planning your visit
- How long: a few hours for the bakery, cheese and park; add a half day for Booloumba Creek.
- Cost: the town is free to wander. Food and cheese are paid.
- What to bring: a cooler bag, cash or card for the bakery, water and sunscreen.
- Library: Kenilworth Library is at 4A Elizabeth Street with parking behind it, and it has a sensory and accessibility guide on its page.
- Stay: the Kenilworth Hotel has 11 rooms upstairs if you want to make a night of it.
Getting there and parking
Kenilworth is about 149 km from the Brisbane CBD, roughly 2 hours 5 minutes by car without traffic, and about 20 km from Imbil.
Parking is on the street near the town park, at Isaac Moore Park (2783 Eumundi-Kenilworth Road, with public toilets) and behind the library, which you reach by turning off Elizabeth Street. Plan to drive. See Visit Sunshine Coast’s Kenilworth page for more to do.
Nearby
- Conondale National Park – about 10 km away.
- Mapleton Falls – about 12 km away.
- More Sunshine Coast days out
You might also like
- Maleny – the hinterland town to the south-east.
- Kondalilla Falls – a waterfall walk near Montville.
- Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve – rainforest walks near Maleny.
- Wappa Falls – a waterfall and picnic stop in the hinterland.
- Baroon Pocket Dam – a hinterland lake.
- The Ginger Factory – a family stop at Yandina.
Quick answers
Where is Kenilworth, Queensland?
Kenilworth is a small town in the Mary Valley in the Sunshine Coast Region, about 20 km south of Imbil and 33 km west of Nambour.
How far is Kenilworth from Brisbane?
It is about 149 km, roughly 2 hours 5 minutes by car without traffic.
What is Kenilworth known for?
The Kenilworth Country Bakery’s 1 kg donut challenge and its coffee served in a donut, and cheese from Kenilworth Dairies.
Is there a playground in Kenilworth?
Yes. Kenilworth Town Park has a large fully fenced playground with shade sails, plus barbecues, covered shelters and public toilets.
Can you swim near Kenilworth?
Booloumba Creek in Conondale National Park has rock pools about a 10-minute drive from town, but you need a four-wheel drive for the creek crossings, and the creek dries up at some times of year. Check Queensland Parks alerts first.
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