Kenilworth Showgrounds Camping – The Jewel of the Mary Valley

Nestled in the breathtaking Mary Valley in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the Kenilworth Showgrounds is a legendary camping destination, beloved by generations of families and travellers. This fantastic, community-run facility offers a quintessential Australian camping experience, with vast, shady, and picturesque grounds stretching along the banks of the beautiful Mary River. It’s the perfect base for a relaxing getaway, offering a friendly, laid-back atmosphere where you can swim, kayak, and fish, all while being just a short stroll from the charming and vibrant town of Kenilworth. The showgrounds are a hub of activity and relaxation, providing abundant space for everything from the largest motorhomes to the simplest of tents.

The amenities at the Kenilworth Showgrounds are excellent and provide great value for the reasonable nightly fee. Visitors have access to a large number of powered and unpowered sites, multiple amenities blocks with toilets and hot showers, and a dump point. The freedom to have a campfire in the provided pits is a major drawcard, creating a magical atmosphere on cool hinterland evenings. The location is simply superb. The famous Kenilworth Dairies, with its delicious cheeses and mousses, and the iconic Kenilworth Bakery, home of the 1kg donut challenge, are within easy walking distance. The town boasts a classic country pub, art galleries, and boutique shops. For nature lovers, the showgrounds are a stone’s throw from Conondale National Park and the beautiful Booloumba Creek, with its stunning waterfalls and rock pools. For an unforgettable, family-friendly, and perfectly located hinterland escape, the Kenilworth Showgrounds is a true Queensland treasure.

Site Information

• Name: Kenilworth Showgrounds
• Address: 7 Showground Ln, Kenilworth QLD 4574, Australia
• Phone Number: +61 438 849 947

• GPS Coordinates: -26.599205, 152.726808

• Website: kenilworthshowgrounds.org.au

Campground Details

• Location: At the Kenilworth Showgrounds, on the Mary River, within the township.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, from tents to the largest motorhomes and fifth-wheelers.
• Road Access: Sealed road access.
• Site Surface: Mostly flat grass.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, camping fees apply. Bookings are often essential, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Check with management for current policies.
• Facilities: Powered and unpowered sites, toilets, hot showers, dump point.
• Potable Water: Yes, available on site.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Good for Telstra; can be patchy for other carriers in the valley.
• TV Reception: Good.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Permitted in designated fire pits only, subject to local fire restrictions.
• Generator Use: Permitted with consideration for others, though powered sites are available.
• Number of Sites Available: Huge, unmarked area with capacity for hundreds of campers.
• Essentials to Bring: Swimmers, kayak or canoe, fishing gear, and an empty esky for local produce.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are very welcome but must be on a leash at all times.
• Fishing: Excellent freshwater fishing for Mary River Cod (catch and release), Australian Bass, and Saratoga.
• Short Walks: Beautiful walks along the river and into the charming Kenilworth village.

Local Amenities & Attractions

• Local Pubs:
  • Kenilworth Hotel: Approx. 1 km
  • Eumundi Imperial Hotel, Eumundi: Approx. 30 km
  • Kandanga Hotel, Kandanga: Approx. 30 km
• Places to Eat:
  • Kenilworth Bakery: Approx. 1 km
  • Kenilworth Dairies (cheese, mousse, ice cream): Approx. 1 km
  • Nanna’s Cafe: Approx. 1 km
• Local Attractions:
  • Mary River (swimming, kayaking, fishing)
  • Conondale National Park & Booloumba Falls: Approx. 20 km
  • Kenilworth Historical Museum: Approx. 1 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Kenilworth Homestead: Approx. 2 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Little Yabba Creek Park, near Kenilworth (day use, limited camping).
  • Charlie Moreland, Imbil State Forest.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Located on-site at the showgrounds.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Available in Kenilworth.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available on-site.
• Public Toilets (offsite):
  • Located in the main park in Kenilworth.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Warm to hot and humid, with a high chance of rainfall and thunderstorms, often in the afternoon. Temperatures average 20°C to 29°C.
• Autumn (Mar-May): Generally the best time to visit, with warm, sunny days, lower humidity, and mild nights. Temperatures average 15°C to 27°C.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Dry and mild sunny days with cool to cold nights. Can be misty in the mornings. Average temperatures range from 8°C to 22°C.
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Warm and pleasant, with increasing chances of rain. The landscape is lush and green. Temperatures average 14°C to 27°C.