Escape to Killarney, Queensland: One of the state's best kept secrets

The sunshine state is known for its golden beaches and far-north rainforests. Beautiful as they are, these well-worn tourist attractions often overshadow Queensland’s quieter achievers.

Take Killarney, in the southern downs region on the border of New South Wales. Its mountainous backdrop, secluded valleys and quaint country township are the antidote to Queensland’s glitzier side.

Killarney is a place where the green countryside explains why it shares its name with Ireland’s Killarney in County Kerry. With its rolling hills, scenic waterfalls and picture-perfect lookouts, the area reminded Irish settlers of home.

The natural beauty of the small town is what attracts tree-changers and keeps those born and bred there from staying away for too long.

Killarney is surely one of Queensland’s best-kept secrets.

Population: 954 as of 2016 Census.

Who lives there?

Killarney is home to fewer than 1000 people, but many of those come from generations of locals. Lyndall McCormack is fifth generation with a family history rich in agriculture: mainly dairy farming, timber-getting and cropping mainly.

For longtime locals like her, it’s been rewarding to see the town welcome new residents over the years.

“My family has a long association, and that is one of the very nice things about living here, that you do have those long connections, and you do have the new people moving to the area too,” she said.

“So, it’s a lovely mix of people. There are several families like me; five or six of us go back that far. But there’s also a lot of newcomers and a lot of families who have married in and brought new people here.”

McCormack runs a 162-hectare farm her father once worked. She is also the chair of community-run Killarney Memorial Aged Care and works in a shop in the nearby town of Warwick.

Killarney has many events for such a small town, so many of its residents are volunteers like McCormack.

“It’s quite surprising in a tiny little town like this that you can have so much to do,” she said.

“It’s an interesting town. I think you can be the kind of person who can live on your little 10 acres and have your sheep or whatever, and you can have that quiet getaway, retreat-type lifestyle.

“Or, you can be someone who gets involved because it’s very much an events-based town.”

As more farms have amalgamated to become larger land holdings, Killarney has become less of a farming town. New residents have brought a bohemian flavour, which can be seen at the markets on the third Sunday of every month when jewellery-makers, painters and wood sculptors put out their wares.

“When I grew up, everyone’s parents were farmers, but that’s not the case anymore,” McCormack said.

“I think there’s quite a bohemian kind of bent here now. There’s a lot of recyclers, vintage sellers and makers of arts and crafts.

“So there are two types of people in the town, I reckon. There are the people who run these big events, where everyone turns up at the weekend, and then there are these other people who sit quietly and do their own thing;  people who are interesting and creative.”

What happens there?

Brace yourself; Killarney is busy. It may look sleepy, but when its handy army of volunteers goes all out on a shindig, you’d better be ready.

There’s the Killarney Show in February, which includes everything from woodchopping to cookery, a demolition derby to craftworks. The Killarney Rodeo is in August, and the Polocrosse and Killarney Border Trail Ride are both in May.

The golf, cricket and bowls club are all active, hosting fundraisers and welcoming new members.

But the Killarney Bonfire Night takes the cake as the town’s premier event. This year it makes its post-COVID comeback on July 17. In addition to the giant bonfire it’s renowned for, it will also host a fire drum exhibition, fireworks, a jumping castle, bar, warm winter food, fire entertainment and country-rock music.

Judging from previous bonfire nights, organiser Louise Brosnan expects 4500 visitors to attend.

“We have market stalls, warm winter food and little fire drums, which are basically fire sculptures that people make at home and contribute,” she said.

“It’s a great family event, so we have lots and lots of visitors. The night is in tribute to our farming and timber-getting heritage and because fire has been so important for tens of thousands of years for all of the people who have been here.

“It’s very much about celebrating the cold and enjoying the bonfire.”

Brosnan, who runs a small business in Killarney, said part of Killarney’s appeal was its community.

“I think the people are very open, welcoming and very friendly,” she said.

“So, when it comes to holding events, it’s one of the things people remark on is how hospitable we are. The town is known for its hospitality, and I think that’s because we are so driven by this idea of community and contributing.”

What’s life like?

Marissa Costello is a big believer in people staying in their hometowns, even if they are small. She has lived in Killarney since moving there in grade two and is now the general manager of the Killarney Co-op, a community-owned group of stores including a service station, supermarket and hardware shop.

The co-op, which started as a butter factory, will next year celebrate its centenary. Costello said it had been a long-standing hub of the town, and during COVID, it became a social support network.

“A lot of people who had family living locally contacted us at the co-op to deliver care packages to their loved ones around town,” she said.

“We arranged and delivered birthday presents, flowers and food packages every day to people who did not have family living close by.

“Particularly when the state borders were closed, we had many people who were not able to cross over into New South Wales for Easter or Mother’s Day, and we were able to arrange for our staff who were crossing the border to drop care packages and gifts on their way home.”

The hardships imposed by the pandemic brought out the best in the town, Costello said.

“Our staff were under huge pressure, being essential workers while many were staying home,” she recalled.

“There were a couple of cases locally here, and it was particularly stressful. One morning two key staff members from the school showed up at the store with containers of home cooking for our staff.”

What jobs are there?

Killarney is home to Wickham Farms, which is a major supplier of potatoes to Coles. It’s a big employer in the area, along with Killarney Memorial Aged Care.

There’s also Killarney Co-op, which employs about 80 people, including junior part-timers.

In addition to being a great place to find local news, the What’s On Killarney QLD Facebook page sometimes advertises employment opportunities in the area.

Why should you move there?

If you live in Killarney, you’re surrounded by the best nature can serve up. Take your pick from the spectacular Queen Mary Falls, the sunset lookouts along Sunday Plains Road or a local favourite, Browns Falls.

Bushwalking, picnicking, four-wheel driving, cycling or motorbiking – Killarney is geared up for it all. It’s no wonder tourism is alive and well in the town, particularly with international travel on the shelf thanks to COVID.

Connections aren’t far away either. Killarney is 1.5 hours from the Gold Coast or Toowoomba and 2. 5 hours from Brisbane airport.

A warm community spirit with plenty of active clubs and organisations to join is just the icing on Killarney’s cake.