Kilkivan Bush Camping and Caravan Park Review
Are you looking for somewhere to camp near Gympie? Maybe you are wondering what it is like at the Kilkivan Bush Camping and Caravan Park.
My family spent a weekend at Kilkivan Bush Camping and Caravan Park in one of their glamping chalets. We considered bringing our tent, and maybe next time we will. We checked out their powered and unpowered campsites and all of their amenities.
I always appreciate having more information than I can find on company websites, and if you are the same way, this post is for you!
Keep reading to find out more about Kilkivan Bush Camping and Caravan Park, and hopefully, I can help you decide if it is the best place for you to stay.
Types of Accommodation
There are 4 different accommodation options at Kilkivan Bush Camp and Caravan Park.
If you have your own tent, camper, or caravan, you can choose between a powered campsite and an unpowered campsite.
Unpowered Campsites
The unpowered campsites are a little bit of a walk from the office and the bush bar and are the most remote. There is an amenities block and a playground at the unpowered sites.
You have the option of renting a port-a-loo at the unpowered campsites. There is also a dump point.
Campfires are permitted at the unpowered campsites, and wood is available for purchase.
Powered Campsites
The powered campsites are near a stream. Each site includes a fire pit.
The campground was pretty empty during our visit, so everyone had lots of space between them and the next group. However, if it is full, the sites are right next to each other.
Glamping Chalets
If you don’t have your own camping supplies, or you just don’t want to use them, there are 2 different options for cabins at Kilvivan Bush Camp.
We opted to stay in a Glamping Chalet.
There are 3 glamping chalets at Kilkivan Bush Camp, and one is handicap accessible.
The glamping chalets are similar to a hotel room, though there are no bathrooms inside. You need to walk to the amenity block, which takes a minute or two to walk to.
Each glamping chalet has a king size bed as well as twin bunk beds. They have it decorated to look more like a tent with flaps on the ceiling and on the windows. It was fun for the kids to undo the window flaps and look out.
The beds in the glamping chalets include linens. There is also a bar fridge, air-conditioning, and heating (which we used as it was cold during our stay).
The glamping chalets have a porch with a table and 2 chairs and a firepit.
Safari Cabins
A cheaper option for glamping is to stay in one of the safari cabins at Kilkivan Bush Camp. They are similar to the glamping chalets, but you need to bring your own linens.
Each safari cabin includes a queen bed and twin bunk beds. They have lights, a ceiling fan, and a bar fridge.
While the safari cabins do not have a porch, they do each include a small table and chairs on a private courtyard with a fire pit.
The safari cabins are close to the amenities block.
The Office and Checking In
Check-in is available between 11 am and 5 pm, unless other arrangements are made.
When we checked in, we were given a menu and told that we could order dinner until 4 pm (to be served later in the evening).
We arrived on a Saturday, and the Bush Bar is only open on Friday and Saturday nights.
The office has a large bookshelf filled with books and DVDs that you can take for free. You can also drop off your own books and DVDs to donate.
There is a small shop in the office with items you may need on your camping trip, as well as a drink fridge and a freezer with ice cream bars.
While they have a coffee machine, I asked what time coffee is available in the morning, and I was told 10 am. After questioning the late time, he said, sometimes 9 am, it really depends on the staff.
It may depend on the level of the crowds, and maybe during events, coffee is available earlier, but we opted to head into town each morning for coffee. Had I known, I most likely would have brought my kettle and French press to make my own coffee, but the coffee at the Kilkivan General Store was really good.
Amenities Block + Bush Kitchen
The Amenities Block and Bush Kitchen are located near the safari cabins and close to the office.
The other amenity block is out by the unpowered sites. I skipped the walk to the unpowered sites because I wanted to read my book, so I don’t know what is there.
Laundry Facilities
There is 1 washing machine and 1 dryer at the amenity block at Kilkivan Bush Camp. There is also a sink.
This is across from the handicap bathrooms and close to the camp kitchen.
Camp Kitchen
Kilkivan Bush Camp has a small camp kitchen with a BBQ, toaster, sink, and picnic table. There is a kettle by the laundry, though it looked as though someone had filled it with the water from the tap, which is bore water.
We were glad not to have to use the kettle, but hopefully it will be cleaned in the future. I would recommend using bottled water.
Toilets + Showers
The women’s room has 4 sets of showers and toilets. Each shower has a place to change right outside the shower. I assume the men’s room is the same.
Across from the laundry machines, between the women’s room and the men’s room, are two handicap-accessible bathrooms, each with a toilet and a shower.
Playgrounds
Kilkivan Bush Camp has 3 playgrounds spread across the campground.
My kids preferred the largest playground, near the bush bar.
A small playground is located by the amenity block. This is perfect for the kids to play on while the parents cook or do laundry.
A third playground is located by the unpowered sites. My oldest walked over there and told me that it was not worth playing on. She loves all playgrounds, so I am taking her word on it.
If you have kids who want to play on the playground, we suggest the large playground by the bush bar.
Swimming Pool
Kilkivan Bush Camping and Caracan Park does have a swimming pool, and I am sure that it is nice to swim in the warmer months.
My daughter insisted on swimming in the pool, despite it being cold and rainy.
There are a few chairs around and a shade sail. The pool is fenced in and located near the office.
Bush Bar + Restaurant
The Bush Bar at Kilkivan Bush Camping and Caravan Park is only open on Friday and Saturday nights. I do recommend heading over there if you’re staying at the campground on a weekend.
We arrived on a Saturday. Typically, they offer a roast dinner on Saturdays, but due to low numbers at the campground that weekend, only the regular menu was offered. We were told to order our dinner at the office by 4 pm, and then the Bush Bar would begin serving meals around 5 or 5:30.
We didn’t ask any questions, but decided to show up at 5 pm to see what was going on. We didn’t realize that there was a kitchen at the Bush Bar along with pizza ovens outside, and they would be cooking our meal there.
You can show up any time after 5 and put your order in. They don’t start making it until you arrive. You can order drinks at the bar, and you pay when you put your order in.
I am not sure if you can order more food once you are there. Our meals were large and we did not finish them.
The kids ordered chicken nuggets & chips. Mark ordered the chicken schnitzel, and I had the chicken burger.
We played pool until the food arrived, and again after we ate.
There is seating indoors by the pool table, and lots more seating outside. During the busier season, they have live music on Saturday nights.
Events
We talked to Ralph, one of the owners of Kikivan Bush Camping and Caravan Park, at the bar, and he said that they built the campground with the intention of hosting events.
Music events, holiday celebrations, and seasonal events take place throughout the year. It is best to follow their Facebook page to find out what’s on.
Animals + Nature
Kilkivan Bush Camping is located on a stream. The water was low when we visited, and the kids would have had fun playing in the stream.
There are lots of trees around, and plenty of wildlife. We even saw cows walking through the campground!
In addition to the cows, we saw turkeys, a wide variety of birds, and lots of kangaroos. The kangaroos came close to our cabin at dawn and dusk each day.
Things To Do Nearby
If you do not want to spend the whole time at the campground, there are plenty of fun things to do nearby.
We ended up spending some time in Goomeri, which is approximately a 25-minute drive from Kilkivan Bush Camp. We also completed a few small hikes nearby.
Things To Do in Kilkivan
While there is not much to do IN Kilkivan, there is a lot to do nearby.
We did start our day in Kilkivan, visiting the general store and getting coffee. We also ended our day in Kilkivan, eating at the Kilkivan Hotel.
Unfortunately, we got there an hour before the dinner service began, but the kids were happy playing pool out back.
If you do want to spend some time in Kilkivan, you can visit the Kilkivan & District Museum and Visitor Centre, and the Kilkivan Markets, which take place monthly.
Those who are looking for a challenge can complete the Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail, a 28-kilometer bicycle trail.
Things To Do in Goomeri
Goomeri is a country town known for its Pumpkin Festival held each May.
After a quick hike at Konbombi Falls, which was entirely too difficult for us, we drove to Goomeri. No, we did not complete the hike. We stopped when the stairs became rocks, but we did see the falls.
Goomeri has a nice main street with a variety of stores, including Oska and Willow, where my kids smelled every single item, and Wimberly and Co Bookstore, which was celebrating their birthday.
Across from the shops is a large pumpkin.
More shops in Goomeri include Goomeri Emporium, Goomeri Antiques, Barambah Valley Confectionery, and Barambah Home and Co.
We did not visit the Goomeri Museum, but it is an option if you are looking for more things to do. Instead, we drove to hike to Daniel’s Lookout at Boat Mountain.
After our hike, we drove back to Goomeri to visit the bakery, which was busy all day. They were out of a lot of items by the time we got there, and while they were still cooking more, it would have been a long wait.
Other food options in Goomeri include the Goomeri Hotel and Goomeri Cafe and Restaurant.
More Things To Do Nearby
We completed 2 short hikes, including Kinbombi Falls and Boat Mountain.
On the way to Daniel’s Lookout at Boat Mountain, we spotted a couple of koalas in the tree, and even got to see one climbing higher.
After noticing that there were wineries nearby, we decided to check one out. Had we had more time, we definitely would have visited more than one.
We ended up at Dusty Hill Vineyard, which was perfect.
They have a wine tasting room and a shop with pantry items and cheeses that you can purchase to make a picnic.
After our wine tasting, we decided to get dessert at their restaurant. We sat outside, near the small children’s play area, and borrowed a game. At the front of the restaurant is a shelf with books and games.
Other wineries nearby include:
- Moffatdale Ridge
- Clovely Estate Vineyard Cellar Door
- Nuova Scuola Wines
- McGill Vineyards
- Lightning Tree Wines
- Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe
- Dingo Creek Vineyard
- Summit Estate Wines
If you are looking for something fun to do in Gympie, head to the train station and ride on the Mary Valley Rattler Steam train!
Kilkivan Bush Camp Wrap-Up
Kilkivan is a family-friendly campground located near Gympie. Though we spent the majority of our time exploring the area, we could have easily spent the entire day at the campground, letting the kids swim, play at the playgrounds, and splash in the stream.
Whether you wish to spend time at the campground or in the surrounding area, Kilkivan Bush Camp is a good place to sleep. We enjoyed being surrounded by nature, the weekend Bush Bar, roasting marshmallows on the campfire, and looking at the stars.
