Killarney, Queensland

Killarney Queensland
View of Killarney from the south
Killarney
Coordinates	28°20′02″S152°17′46″E / 28.3338°S 152.2961°E / -28.3338; 152.2961 (Killarney (town centre))
Population	918 (2021 census) [1]
• Density	11.724/km2 (30.37/sq mi)
Established	1878
Postcode(s)	4373
Elevation	507 m (1,663 ft)
Area	78.3 km2 (30.2 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	33.6 km (21 mi) SE of Warwick 116.2 km (72 mi) SSE of Toowoomba 177 km (110 mi) SW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Southern Downs Region
State electorate(s)	Southern Downs
Federal division(s)	Maranoa
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 23.9 °C 75 °F 9.3 °C 49 °F 741.8 mm 29.2 in
Localities around Killarney: Tannymorel Mount Colliery Mount Colliery Loch Lomond Killarney The Falls Elbow Valley Legume (NSW) Acacia Creek (NSW)

View of Killarney from the west

View of Killarney hills behind Killarney Memorial Aged Care

View of the misty hills Killarney to the north-east of Killarney

Summary

Killarney is a rural town and locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. ^{[2] [3]} It borders New South Wales. ^[4] In the 2021 census, the locality of Killarney had a population of 918 people. ^[1]

Killarney is a charming town nestled in the scenic Southern Downs region of Queensland, Australia. Situated approximately 35 kilometers from Warwick and 150 kilometers southwest of Brisbane, this quaint town offers visitors a delightful blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and rural charm.

Originally established as a timber and farming settlement in the late 19th century, Killarney has evolved into a vibrant community with a population that values its rich heritage and picturesque surroundings. The town's name is believed to have been inspired by the pastoral landscape reminiscent of Killarney, Ireland.

One of Killarney's most notable landmarks is the stunning Queen Mary Falls, located within the Main Range National Park just a short drive from the town center. Cascading gracefully over a cliff face into the lush valley below, these falls attract visitors from far and wide who come to marvel at their beauty and enjoy the surrounding bushwalking trails and picnic areas.

In addition to its natural attractions, Killarney boasts a strong agricultural tradition, with dairy farming, beef cattle grazing, and vegetable growing being prominent industries in the area. The town's annual agricultural show, held each spring, celebrates this heritage and provides an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to come together and enjoy a range of traditional country activities and entertainment.

For history enthusiasts, Killarney offers glimpses into its past through its well-preserved heritage buildings, including the town's heritage pub and other buildings in Willow Street.

With its breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, and rich cultural heritage, Killarney is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered by travelers seeking an authentic Australian experience amidst the beauty of the Southern Downs. Whether you're exploring the great outdoors, immersing yourself in local history, or simply taking in the tranquil ambiance of this charming town, Killarney offers something special for everyone.

Geography

Killarney is located 35 kilometres (22 mi) south-east of Warwick on the Condamine River in the Darling Downs. Killarney is located about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from the Queensland/New South Wales border. It is close to Queen Mary Falls in the Main Range National Park, where Spring Creek plunges 40 metres (130 ft) into the valley.

Mountain View is a neighbourhood within the locality of Killarney ( 28°21′00″S152°19′01″E / 28.350°S 152.317°E / -28.350; 152.317 (Mountain View, Queensland) ). ^[5]

Melrose is a neighbourhood within the locality of Killarney ( 28°21′36″S152°15′14″E / 28.360°S 152.254°E / -28.360; 152.254 (Melrose, Queensland (Scenic Rim Region)) ); it is associated with the Melrose pastoral station. ^[6]

History

The Githabal (also known as Gidabal, Kitabal) language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Southern Downs Regional Council, particularly Warwick, Killarney and Woodenbong extending into New South Wales. ^[7]

Killarney bordered on the northern boundaries of the Yetimarala. Originally part of Canning Downs, established by the Leslie brothers in 1840, the development of the town was largely based on primary production and forestry.

The name of the district was chosen by the Hon. Peter Murray, who was visiting George Leslie at the Canning Downs pastoral station and commented that the scenery reminded him of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. ^[8]

Killarney State School was established on 17 August 1874. ^[9] However, it was not until 1 January 1876 that teacher Gwyther Hill was appointed and students enrolled. ^{[10] [11]}

The South Killarney town site was first surveyed in 1878, but the town already boasted several shops and services by this time. Many early settlers to Queensland selected land in the Killarney area with the first of these arriving in 1863. During the 1880s Killarney was described as "one of the most flourishing towns in Southern Queensland". ^[12]

The first Killarney Post Office opened on 1 July 1877 (a receiving office had been open from 1875). Killarney North Post Office opened on 26 June 1889 (replacing Killarney North Railway Station receiving office open from 1887) and was renamed North Killarney in 1897. In 1905 the Killarney office was renamed Killarney South, and the North Killarney office became the second Killarney office, due to the town having moved to near the railway station. ^[13]

A branch railway was built from Warwick in 1885. The line closed in 1964. ^[14]

Mountain View Provisional School opened circa 1886 and closed in 1892. In 1895, it reopened as Mountain View State School, finally closing on 4 July 1965. ^[9] It was at 11 Mountain View Road, Killarney ( 28°21′08″S152°19′26″E / 28.3523°S 152.3238°E / -28.3523; 152.3238 (Mountain View State School (former)) ). ^{[15] [16] [17]}

A Methodist church opened in 1902. ^[18] In 1919, the church building was relocated to Brighton (near Sandgate). ^[19]

Melrose State School opened on 1910 and closed on circa 1931. ^[9]

Wynola State School was established in 1935 at River Bank 7 miles (11 km) from the town of Killarney, following the discovery that several families in that district were illiterate. ^[20] It is presumed the school was in the vicinity of the Wynola pastoral station ( 28°18′47″S152°21′00″E / 28.313°S 152.350°E / -28.313; 152.350 (Wynola pastoral station) ) to the north-east of the town on the Condamine River Road. ^[6] The school building from the closed Melrose State School was relocated to establish the new school. ^{[21] [22]} The school was officially opened on 19 October 1935 by John Healy, the Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Warwick. ^[23] The school closed circa 1941. ^[9]

The town was hit by a destructive tornado on Friday 22 November 1968, which destroyed many of the original buildings. ^{[24] [25]} The main street buildings that survived the storm: the Butter Factory, the Co-op Building, Mackenzie’s Emporium (now a St Vincent de Paul boutique), former Commercial Bank (opposite the Post Office), the Post Office and the Killarney Hotel, hint at the town's former glory. ^[26] The former National bank building did survive the storm but was relocated to a suburb of Brisbane in 1977. The old Bank Vault foundation stones remain on the vacant block in the buildings original location adjacent to the St Vincent de Paul boutique. November 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of this storm. ^[27]

In the 2011 census, the town of Killarney had a population of 773 people, ^[28] while the locality as a whole had a population of 984 people. ^[29]

In the 2016 census, the locality of Killarney had a population of 954 people. ^[30]

In the 2021 census, the town of Killarney had a population of 685 people, ^[31] while the locality as a whole had a population of 918 people. ^[1]

Economy

The local economy is underpinned by agriculture, transport and more recently tourism. Previously the abattoir was the largest employer (closed in February 2011). ^[32]

Water supply

Water to the town is supplied from a small weir on Spring Creek.^{[ citation needed ]} In April 2007, the Courier Mail newspaper reported that the town might have to be evacuated due to water shortages caused by years of extreme drought. ^[33] In January 2008 the Condamine River broke its banks after a week of steady rain and buildings in the main street were flooded. ^[34] Since that time Killarney has returned to the verdant green hills that local long term residents find more familiar. ^[35]

Education

Killarney P-10 State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at Acacia Street ( 28°20′29″S152°17′52″E / 28.3413°S 152.2978°E / -28.3413; 152.2978 (Killarney P-10 State School) ). ^{[36] [37]} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 149 students with 15 teachers (14 full-time equivalent) and 14 non-teaching staff (11 full-time equivalent). ^[38] It includes a special education program. ^[36]

There is no secondary school in Killarney offering Years 11 and 12; the nearest secondary school offering Years 11 and 12 is in Warwick. ^[6]

Amenities

The Killarney Co-operative is Killarney's main street under one roof. Partially operating in the original Milward's General Store, originally established in 1913 as the Killarney Dairy Company, the Co-operative was formed in 1922 and remains community owned. In 2024, the "Co-op" was a department store boasting a post office, gifts, shoes, electrical, hardware, garden, agricultural supplies, supermarket, delicatessen and coffee shop.

Several key buildings remain in Willow St. The Killarney Post Office was built in 1905. The CWA building, formerly the School of Arts, was built in 1888 on stilts over Gravel Creek and is testament to how crowded the main street had become at the town's height. The historic Killarney Hotel is located in Willow St and is the third hotel to sit on this site. ^[26]

Killarney has many active community and sporting groups including the Killarney Area Promotion Association, the Killarney Show and Rodeo Society, the Killarney Recreation Club, the Killarney Mens' Shed, The Killarney and District Historical Society, the CWA and RSL and the Lions Club.

The Killarney Recreation Club on the southern side of town was built with funds raised by the local community. Two sandstone horseheads at the entrance to the Polocrosse Fields and the "God of Sport Statue" in front of the Club were created by locally based sculptor Paul Stumkat.

The Killarney branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 12 Willow Street. It celebrated its 100th anniversary in March 2024 ^[39]

Killarney also has a 60-bed aged care service (Killarney Memorial), medical practice, pharmacy, local pool, several cafes, newsagent and antique/second hand shops. Once a month the markets are held in the main street.

Attractions

Queen Mary Falls are a short distance from Killarney

The five waterfalls surrounding Killarney make this area a popular scenic destination, the Teviot Falls, Queen Mary Falls, Dagg's Falls, Browns Falls and Upper Brown's Falls. During wet weather there are two additional falls, Black Fella Falls and Jack Brunton's Falls, which can be seen tumbling down the cliffs surrounding Killarney at the bottom of the Cambanoora Gorge.

The annual agricultural show; rodeos; various horse-related events; the Killarney Bonfire Night; the Border Ranges Trail Ride; the Pedal, Waddle and Saddle; and the Untamed Border Run are major events that attract substantial numbers of visitors to the town.

Climate

Killarney has a cool subtropical climate, like most of inland south-east Queensland. Winters can be cold and frosty, while summers are warm but rarely hot.

Climate data for Killarney, Queensland
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	39.6 (103.3)	39.3 (102.7)	35.3 (95.5)	33.1 (91.6)	29.4 (84.9)	24.3 (75.7)	25.4 (77.7)	30.0 (86.0)	32.0 (89.6)	36.0 (96.8)	39.1 (102.4)	38.9 (102.0)	39.6 (103.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	29.4 (84.9)	28.3 (82.9)	26.8 (80.2)	24.1 (75.4)	20.5 (68.9)	17.6 (63.7)	17.0 (62.6)	18.7 (65.7)	21.9 (71.4)	25.1 (77.2)	27.7 (81.9)	29.2 (84.6)	23.9 (75.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	15.8 (60.4)	15.9 (60.6)	14.3 (57.7)	10.2 (50.4)	6.4 (43.5)	3.5 (38.3)	2.1 (35.8)	2.7 (36.9)	5.3 (41.5)	9.1 (48.4)	12.2 (54.0)	14.3 (57.7)	9.3 (48.7)
Record low °C (°F)	9.4 (48.9)	6.4 (43.5)	3.3 (37.9)	0.6 (33.1)	−3.3 (26.1)	−8.2 (17.2)	−7.8 (18.0)	−6.0 (21.2)	−3.5 (25.7)	−3.5 (25.7)	2.8 (37.0)	4.3 (39.7)	−8.2 (17.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	96.0 (3.78)	87.7 (3.45)	76.5 (3.01)	46.4 (1.83)	44.5 (1.75)	45.4 (1.79)	44.3 (1.74)	31.6 (1.24)	39.8 (1.57)	64.0 (2.52)	74.8 (2.94)	92.9 (3.66)	744.4 (29.31)
Average precipitation days	9.6	9.8	9.8	7.4	7.4	7.0	6.3	5.5	5.6	7.5	8.3	9.5	93.7
Source: Bureau of Meteorology [40]

Notable people

• Jackie Howe, champion shearer, born in Killarney
• Otto Madsen, politician

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Killarney (QLD)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
2. "Killarney – town in Southern Downs Region (entry 18123)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 17 November 2019.
3. "Killarney – locality in Southern Downs Region (entry 50081)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 17 November 2019.
4. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland . Retrieved 5 May 2020.
5. "Mountain View – unbounded locality in the Southern Downs Region (entry 23215)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 19 November 2019.
6. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland . Retrieved 18 November 2019.
7. This Wikipedia article incorporates CC-BY-4.0 licensed text from: "Gidhabal". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland . Retrieved 23 January 2020.
8. "The Early Days". Warwick Examiner And Times . No. 4681. Queensland, Australia. 6 March 1915. p. 7. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2019– via National Library of Australia.
9. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN   978-1-921171-26-0
10. "Agency ID 5388, Killarney State School". Queensland State Archives . Retrieved 19 November 2019.
11. "History". Killarney P-10 State School. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
12. Killarney & District Historical Society, Memories of Killarney & District. Pg 7
13. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
14. The Killarney Branch Line Armstrong, J. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, August 1976 pp166-181
15. "Mountain View – unbounded locality in the Southern Downs Region (entry 23215)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 10 January 2018.
16. "Parish of Killarney sheet 2" (Map). Queensland Government. 1943. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
17. "Queensland Two Mile series sheet 2m7 Stanthorpe" (Map). Queensland Government. 1932. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
18. "METHODISM". Warwick Daily News . No. 5109. Queensland, Australia. 30 November 1935. p. 8. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021– via National Library of Australia.
19. "METHODISM". Warwick Daily News . No. 5109. Queensland, Australia. 30 November 1935. p. 8. Archived from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021– via National Library of Australia.
20. "WHY THEY ARE ILLITERATE". The Courier-mail . No. 520. Queensland, Australia. 30 April 1935. p. 12. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2019– via National Library of Australia.
21. "ILLITERATE COLONY". Warwick Daily News . No. 4981. Queensland, Australia. 3 July 1935. p. 4. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2019– via National Library of Australia.
22. ""WYNOLA" STATE SCHOOL". Warwick Daily News . No. 5025. Queensland, Australia. 23 August 1935. p. 4. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2019– via National Library of Australia.
23. "OPENING OF NEW SCHOOL". Warwick Daily News . No. 5074. Queensland, Australia. 19 October 1935. p. 3. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2019– via National Library of Australia.
24. Oconnor, T (25 April 1998). "1968 The Year that Shook the World". The Courier-Mail . Vol. 2. p. 001. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
25. Brown, Jayden (23 November 2015). "The day a tornado smashed the Darling Downs". Warwick Daily News . Archived from the original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
26. Killarney & District Historical Society, Memories of Killarney & District.
27. Peter Gunders (21 November 2008). "Killarney commemorates fortieth anniversary of tornado". ABC Southern Queensland. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
28. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Killarney (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
29. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Killarney (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
30. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Killarney (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
31. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Killarney (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
32. (10 February 2010) Jon Condon. Pittsworth, Killarney abattoirs close Archived 18 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine . Queensland Country Life. Fairfax Agricultural Media. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
33. Towns face drought death blow Archived 27 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine by Tuck Thompson. 26 April 2007. Retrieved on 28 April 2007.
34. Floods bring relief to Killarney district Archived 6 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine by Amy Phillips Wednesday, 16 January 2008
35. The silver lining to summer's storm clouds Archived 14 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine An ABC 7:30 report that highlights "Australia as the land of drought and flooding rains"
36. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
37. "Killarney P-10 State School". Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
38. "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
39. "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
40. "Climate Statistics for Killarney, Queensland". Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.

External links

• Queensland portal

• "Killarney". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
• Town map of Killarney, 1976