Day 26 Friday 3/7/2026 Kenilworth, Qld, sunny warm

Picture this, it’s a warm sunny morning in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Our neighbours have moved out leaving us with a grassy site the size of a house block. Thanks to D. J. Trump there aren’t as many travellers on the road this year. A few puffy clouds scud across the sky. In the distance there’s a high range and being in the sub-tropical area there’ll be hoop pines and bunya pines up there. A smaller range is closer to us. The gum trees are huge and jacarandas spread their ferny leaves like a brolly. There’s a perfectly cone shaped bunya pine across the road in the dairy.

The Kenilworth Dairy is attracting the holidaying kids with its wide array of milk shakes, fruity yoghurts, and chockie mousse. There are two calves out front for petting. Up the hill the small village has pretty wooden shops lining the street to the pub at the top. It won’t be long before those kids find the donut shop with its artful sugary delights.

On our showgrounds camp there’s a large Queenslander-style house and a smaller office for the caretakers. Both of these have been trucked in from elsewhere in the past, and now look as though they’ve always been here. Queenslanders aren’t afraid to pick up their large wooden homes and pubs and move them elsewhere.

To the other side of our camp where I’m lounging, there are green lawns running down to a small soak, where ducks swim and splash. Beyond that a fence has been consumed by creepers and tangled lantana, bees are busy in the flowers. Below the fence the Mary River can be glimpsed making its way to Maryborough and the heads near K’gari (Fraser) Island. There’s small bridge over the soak leading to the showgrounds arena and equestrian area. Recrossing the bridge there’s a shaded laneway of deciduous trees and colourful bromeliads. Not a bad spot this is it?

We spend the afternoon enjoying the warmth. Woody buys more cheese. I wander over to the park and sketch the dairy. A young family from Brisbane wander over to have a look and I chat with the Mum whose shy daughter likes to draw.

We have a drink on the veranda of the pub in the afternoon sun.

There are a few more caravans in here tonight, though the travel figures are down 27%.

We have spinach and feta triangles for an easy dinner.

Accom: $30.00