Kingaroy

Kingaroy is surrounded by extensive (and very picturesque) farmlands interspersed with low rolling hills. The Booie Range lies immediately north-east of the town and the Bunya Mountains about {{convert|55|km|mi}} to the south-west.

The Stuart River ({{Coord|-26.565304|151.808283}}) flows northwards on the western outskirts of the town. The locality is part of the Burnett River catchment.{{Cite web |title=ArcGIS Web Application |url=https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlandmaps/?extent=148.069,-28.61,154.661,-22.671 |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103095322/https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlandmaps/?extent=148.069,-28.61,154.661,-22.671 |url-status=live }} The productive lands of the catchment feature sedimentary floodplains. The rich fertile soils of the floodplains are the agricultural and resource backbone of the region. While there are benefits of the flooding there are also risks including the loss of vegetation in riparian zones, biosecurity issues and spread of weed species.{{Cite web |title=Story Map Series |url=https://qgsp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=e04949d53f6344dd8d017347656665c1 |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=qgsp.maps.arcgis.com |publisher=Queensland Government |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101034414/https://qgsp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=e04949d53f6344dd8d017347656665c1 |url-status=live }}

The locality sits in the Tarong Coal Basin.{{Cite journal |last1=Shields |first1=Tony |last2=Campbell |first2=Rod |last3=Hughes |first3=Travis |date=2019-03-13 |title=Coal in Kingaroy |url=https://apo.org.au/node/225146 |language=en |access-date=1 November 2022 |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101034414/https://apo.org.au/node/225146 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Flood |first1=P.G. |last2=Garces |first2=B. Jun |date=1986 |editor-last=Willmott |editor-first=W. F. |title=1986 South Burnett District |url=https://www.gsa.org.au/Public/Public/Divisions/QLD_subpages/GSAQ_Publications/Conference_Guides/1986SouthBurnettDistrict.aspx |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=Geological Society of Australia Qld Division |pages=77–81 |language=en |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101021817/https://www.gsa.org.au/Public/Public/Divisions/QLD_subpages/GSAQ_Publications/Conference_Guides/1986SouthBurnettDistrict.aspx |url-status=live }}

Kingaroy varies in altitude / elevation / height above sea level from about {{Convert|415|m}} (highlight point) to {{Convert|562|m}} (highlight point) above sea level.{{Cite web |title=Frequently asked questions about Kingaroy in Queensland - Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia |url=http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=284290&d=faq&cmd=sp&c=1&x=151.8372765&y=-26.54108062&w=7011&mpsec=0 |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=www.bonzle.com |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101034414/http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=284290&d=faq&cmd=sp&c=1&x=151.8372765&y=-26.54108062&w=7011&mpsec=0 |url-status=live }}

Edenvale is a neighbourhood within the locality ({{coord|-26.5662|151.8573|type:city_region:AU-QLD|name=Edenvale}}), which takes its name from the Edenvale railway station which was named on 15 March 1911 by the Queensland Railways Department, because the land for the railway station was resumed from "Paradise Farm".{{cite QPN|11174|Edenvale|locality unbounded in South Burnett Regional|accessdate=29 December 2020}}

Kingaroy experiences an elevation-influenced humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa), with very warm, relatively wet summers and mild, dry winters with cold nights. Annual precipitation averages {{convert|654.7|mm}}, with a summer maximum.{{cite web

|url = https://www.farmonlineweather.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=40922 |title = Kingaroy Airport Climate

|publisher = FarmOnline Weather |access-date = July 10, 2024}} Record temperatures have ranged from {{convert|41.6|C|F}} on 12 February 2017 to {{convert|-6.7|C|F}} on 18 July 1961.{{cite web

|url = https://www.farmonlineweather.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=40112 |title = Kingaroy Prince Street Climate

|publisher = FarmOnline Weather |access-date = July 10, 2024}}

{{Weather box

|location = Kingaroy Airport (26º34'12"S, 151º50'24"E, 434 m AMSL) (2001–2024 normals and extremes)

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 41.0

|Feb record high C = 41.6

|Mar record high C = 38.2

|Apr record high C = 35.0

|May record high C = 31.8

|Jun record high C = 27.7

|Jul record high C = 27.2

|Aug record high C = 33.3

|Sep record high C = 36.7

|Oct record high C = 39.0

|Nov record high C = 38.9

|Dec record high C = 40.5

|Jan high C = 30.9

|Feb high C = 29.8

|Mar high C = 28.3

|Apr high C = 25.8

|May high C = 22.4

|Jun high C = 19.9

|Jul high C = 19.6

|Aug high C = 21.9

|Sep high C = 25.0

|Oct high C = 27.4

|Nov high C = 29.1

|Dec high C = 30.2

|Jan low C = 18.0

|Feb low C = 17.7

|Mar low C = 16.4

|Apr low C = 12.1

|May low C = 7.6

|Jun low C = 5.5

|Jul low C = 3.9

|Aug low C = 4.4

|Sep low C = 8.2

|Oct low C = 11.8

|Nov low C = 14.6

|Dec low C = 16.8

|Jan record low C = 11.0

|Feb record low C = 11.1

|Mar record low C = 4.4

|Apr record low C = -0.6

|May record low C = -3.0

|Jun record low C = -5.0

|Jul record low C = -6.0

|Aug record low C = -4.9

|Sep record low C = -2.1

|Oct record low C = 0.3

|Nov record low C = 2.4

|Dec record low C = 6.5

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 90.2

|Feb precipitation mm = 89.7

|Mar precipitation mm = 73.1

|Apr precipitation mm = 25.2

|May precipitation mm = 37.6

|Jun precipitation mm = 37.6

|Jul precipitation mm = 29.2

|Aug precipitation mm = 26.9

|Sep precipitation mm = 28.7

|Oct precipitation mm = 60.1

|Nov precipitation mm = 67.1

|Dec precipitation mm = 103.2

|year precipitation mm = 667.2

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 6.1

|Feb precipitation days = 6.5

|Mar precipitation days = 6.5

|Apr precipitation days = 3.8

|May precipitation days = 4.2

|Jun precipitation days = 3.7

|Jul precipitation days = 3.4

|Aug precipitation days = 3.0

|Sep precipitation days = 3.2

|Oct precipitation days = 5.9

|Nov precipitation days = 5.3

|Dec precipitation days = 7.4

|Jan afthumidity = 47

|Feb afthumidity = 52

|Mar afthumidity = 48

|Apr afthumidity = 45

|May afthumidity = 43

|Jun afthumidity = 49

|Jul afthumidity = 44

|Aug afthumidity = 36

|Sep afthumidity = 35

|Oct afthumidity = 33

|Nov afthumidity = 41

|Dec afthumidity = 43

|Jan dew point C = 15.6

|Feb dew point C = 16.4

|Mar dew point C = 14.2

|Apr dew point C = 11.3

|May dew point C = 6.9

|Jun dew point C = 6.5

|Jul dew point C = 4.8

|Aug dew point C = 3.4

|Sep dew point C = 5.7

|Oct dew point C = 7.5

|Nov dew point C = 11.3

|Dec dew point C = 13.8

|source 1 = Bureau of Meteorology (2001–2024 normals and extremes){{cite web

|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_040922_All.shtml

|title = Kingaroy Airport Climate Statistics (2001–2024)

|publisher = Bureau of Meteorology

|access-date = July 10, 2024}}

}}

The original weather station at Kingaroy's Prince Street had been recording rainfall since 1905 and temperatures since 1947. However, it closed in 2000, in favour of the new, more advanced weather station at the town's airport {{convert|2.2|km}} SW.

{{Weather box

|location = Kingaroy Prince Street (26º33'00"S, 151º51'00"E, 442 m AMSL) (1947–2001 normals, extremes 1957–2001, rainfall to 1905)

|metric first = Yes

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high C = 41.0

|Feb record high C = 39.0

|Mar record high C = 36.0

|Apr record high C = 33.6

|May record high C = 29.7

|Jun record high C = 28.4

|Jul record high C = 27.4

|Aug record high C = 30.3

|Sep record high C = 34.0

|Oct record high C = 37.9

|Nov record high C = 38.3

|Dec record high C = 40.8

|Jan high C = 29.5

|Feb high C = 28.8

|Mar high C = 27.6

|Apr high C = 25.1

|May high C = 21.6

|Jun high C = 18.9

|Jul high C = 18.5

|Aug high C = 20.1

|Sep high C = 23.3

|Oct high C = 26.0

|Nov high C = 28.1

|Dec high C = 29.6

|Jan low C = 17.4

|Feb low C = 17.5

|Mar low C = 15.8

|Apr low C = 12.1

|May low C = 8.6

|Jun low C = 5.4

|Jul low C = 4.0

|Aug low C = 4.8

|Sep low C = 7.9

|Oct low C = 11.7

|Nov low C = 14.4

|Dec low C = 16.5

|Jan record low C = 8.8

|Feb record low C = 6.7

|Mar record low C = 6.1

|Apr record low C = -0.6

|May record low C = -3.9

|Jun record low C = -5.3

|Jul record low C = -6.7

|Aug record low C = -6.0

|Sep record low C = -2.2

|Oct record low C = -1.1

|Nov record low C = 3.5

|Dec record low C = 6.5

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 114.1

|Feb precipitation mm = 95.5

|Mar precipitation mm = 77.5

|Apr precipitation mm = 46.8

|May precipitation mm = 40.2

|Jun precipitation mm = 42.6

|Jul precipitation mm = 39.4

|Aug precipitation mm = 28.6

|Sep precipitation mm = 37.9

|Oct precipitation mm = 65.3

|Nov precipitation mm = 77.2

|Dec precipitation mm = 110.7

|year precipitation mm = 776.2

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 8.4

|Feb precipitation days = 7.7

|Mar precipitation days = 6.9

|Apr precipitation days = 4.5

|May precipitation days = 4.3

|Jun precipitation days = 4.2

|Jul precipitation days = 4.1

|Aug precipitation days = 3.4

|Sep precipitation days = 4.0

|Oct precipitation days = 5.8

|Nov precipitation days = 6.6

|Dec precipitation days = 8.0

|Jan afthumidity = 53

|Feb afthumidity = 56

|Mar afthumidity = 54

|Apr afthumidity = 51

|May afthumidity = 52

|Jun afthumidity = 51

|Jul afthumidity = 48

|Aug afthumidity = 44

|Sep afthumidity = 42

|Oct afthumidity = 46

|Nov afthumidity = 47

|Dec afthumidity = 49

|Jan dew point C = 17.6

|Feb dew point C = 17.7

|Mar dew point C = 15.8

|Apr dew point C = 12.7

|May dew point C = 10.2

|Jun dew point C = 7.3

|Jul dew point C = 5.9

|Aug dew point C = 6.0

|Sep dew point C = 7.9

|Oct dew point C = 11.4

|Nov dew point C = 14.1

|Dec dew point C = 16.1

|source 1 = Bureau of Meteorology (1947-2001 normals, extremes 1957-2001, rainfall to 1905){{cite web

|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_040112_All.shtml

|title = Kingaroy Prince Street Climate Statistics (1905-2001)

|publisher = Bureau of Meteorology

|access-date = July 10, 2024}}

}}

The origin of the name Kingaroy is usually claimed to be derived from the Wakka Wakka Aboriginal word for 'Red Ant'. The local Kingaroy Rugby League football team is known as "the Red Ants" and a Red Ant features on the old Kingaroy Shire coat of arms. A Wakka Wakka Word List provides the following explanation: "Derived from 'king', a small black ant, and 'dhu'roi', meaning hungry. The name was suggested by a local Aboriginal helper of the surveyor, Hector Munro, who surveyed the original grazing holding of this name, on account of these ants being a pest at the survey camp.".Wakka Wakka Jinda Aboriginal Word List compiled by Mavis Hawkins, April 1995 Munro selected Wakka Wakka words describing various species of ants when he surveyed a number of local towns, including Taabinga (dha' be'ngga) and Mondure (mon'dhur).

Wakka Wakka (Waka Waka, Wocca Wocca, Wakawaka) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken in the Burnett River catchment. The Wakka Wakka language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the North and South Burnett Regional Council, particularly the towns of Cherbourg, Murgon, Kingaroy, Gayndah, Eidsvold and Mundubbera.{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/?embed=true|title=Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages map|access-date=5 June 2020}}

Rural settlement of the area dates back to 1843 when one of the first selections was made at Burrandowan (west of Kingaroy) by squatter and explorer Henry Stuart Russell. Even through Russell was reputedly the first European to realise the potential of the South Burnett, it was Simon Scott of Taromeo (now Blackbutt) and the Haly brothers of Taabinga who brought the first flocks of sheep to the area in the late 1850s.

In 1878, the district where Kingaroy now stands was settled by the Markwell brothers. When the first resumptions were made from the enormous Taabinga holding, the brothers selected two adjoining areas and in 1883 these leases were converted to freehold and became known as the 'Kingaroy Paddock'. The corner of this paddock was located on what is now known as Haly Street, named after the brothers who settled at Taabinga Station about {{convert|12|km|mi|0}} south-west of present-day Kingaroy. A small, prosperous village grew up around Taabinga in the 1890s.File:View of Kingaroy Street, circa 1910.jpg

File:Kingaroy railway station (former), 2023.jpg

The opening of the 5th stage of Nanango railway line to its terminus at Kingaroy railway station in the newly laid-out town of Kingaroy (known as the 56-mile peg) in 1904 led to a land explosion around Kingaroy and the development of Kingaroy as it now exists.{{cite news |date=31 December 1904 |title=THE SOUTHERN BURNETT. |page=23 |newspaper=The Queenslander |issue=2025 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20352414 |accessdate=30 October 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408035649/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20352414 |url-status=live }} Taabinga quickly declined into a ghost town by the end of World War I and today the original Taabinga Homestead and a few outbuildings are all that remain of it. The area opposite Kingaroy Airport is today known as "Taabinga Village" but is really only a suburb of Kingaroy.

Taabinga Village Provisional School opened on 10 August 1897. On 1 January 1909, it became Taabinga Village State School. On 16 July 1961, Taabinga Village State School was closed and pupils transferred to the new Taabinga State School in Kingaroy.{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}

Malar Provisional School opened in 1901. On 1 January 1909, it became Malar State School. There were a number of temporary closures until the school closed permanently in 1955. The school was "via Kingaroy".

File:Historic photos of Kingaroy State School.jpg

Mount Jones Provisional School opened on 20 January 1902. In 1905, it was renamed Kingaroy Provisional School. On 1 January 1909, it became Kingaroy State School. On 19 February 191,8 a secondary department was added, which was discontinued in 1958 when Kingaroy State High School opened.

Logboy Provisional School opened on 22 April 1902.{{cite news |date=27 June 1902 |title=Public Instruction |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article183141254 |accessdate=8 June 2024 |newspaper=The Week |location=Queensland, Australia |page=31 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=LIII |issue=1,383}} On 1 January 1909, it became Logboy State School. It was at 289 Weens Road ({{Coord|-26.51351|151.79944|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Logboy State School (former)}}).{{Cite web |date=1915 |title=County of Fitzroy |url=https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-2mile-county-fitzroy-1915/original |access-date=21 November 2024 |publisher=Queensland Government |type=Map}} In 1911, it was moved to 215–227 Siefert Street, Crawford, and renamed Crawford State School, opening with 29 students.{{Citation |author1=Queensland Family History Society |title=Queensland schools past and present |publication-date=2010 |edition=Version 1.01 |publisher=Queensland Family History Society |isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}{{cite news |date=28 July 1928 |title=CRAWFORD. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21310999 |accessdate=8 June 2024 |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |location=Queensland, Australia |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=21,998}}{{cite news |date=21 February 1911 |title=TENDER ACCEPTED. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article175854934 |accessdate=8 June 2024 |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Queensland, Australia |page=3 (SECOND EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia |issue=11,939}}{{Cite QSA Agency|5141|Crawford State School|8 June 2024

}}{{cite news |date=24 May 1911 |title=KINGAR0Y. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151531129 |accessdate=8 June 2024 |newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser |location=Queensland, Australia |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=11,882}}

The first Kingaroy Post Office opened by 1902 (a receiving office had been open from 1895) and was renamed Taabinga Village in 1905, when Kingaroy Railway Station office opened. This was renamed Kingaroy in 1907. The Taabinga Village office closed in 1929.{{Cite web | last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Premier Postal Auctions | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080819033116/https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=qld&country= | url-status = dead | archive-date = 19 August 2008 | access-date = 10 May 2014 }}

Erin Vale State School opened in 1911. In 1912 it was renamed Stuart Valley State School. It closed in 1961. It was "via Kingaroy".

Kingaroy's first general hospital opened on 19 November 1914. Prior the only hospital located in Kingaroy was St. Aubyn's private hospital, which opened in 1910. Clydebank Hospital became Kingaroy's second private hospital, which later became a hostel for children. Kingaroy's new public hospital was opened 7 October 1839.{{SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-hospitals-pandemic-frontline-kingaroy|title=Queensland hospitals on the pandemic frontline – Kingaroy|authors=Stacey Larner|access-date=19 August 2024}}{{cite news |date=7 October 1939 |title=MR. HANLON OPENS NEW HOSPITAL AT KINGAROY |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188029284 |accessdate=19 August 2024 |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Queensland, Australia |page=14 (SECOND EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia}}File:StateLibQld 1 207437 Kingaroy War Memorial, 1950.jpgThe foundation stone of the Kingaroy Soldiers' Memorial Rotunda was laid on 25 April 1922 (ANZAC Day) by the RSL president Sergeant Norman Booth.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20551698 |title=SERVICES IN QUEENSLAND. |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |date=27 April 1922 |access-date=6 April 2014 |page=8 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} It was dedicated on 29 June 1932 by Mayor-General Sir Thomas William Glasgow.{{cite web|title=Kingaroy Soldiers Memorial Rotunda|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/91807-kingaroy-soldiers%60-memorial-rotunda|publisher=Monument Australia|access-date=6 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407125049/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/91807-kingaroy-soldiers%60-memorial-rotunda|archive-date=7 April 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23150256 |title=HERE AND THERE IN QUEENSLAND. |newspaper=The Queenslander |date=7 July 1932 |access-date=6 April 2014 |page=22 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}

The Kingaroy Branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association was established 22 August 1922 with Florence Daphne Youngman of Taabinga Homestead as the first president. In 1926 her husband Arthur Youngman donated land at 122 Kingaroy Street and Charlie Gills built the first rooms. On 24 November 1956 a hall was built at the rear of the rooms to allow for catering of weddings and functions.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch/kingaroy/|title=Kingaroy|website=Queensland Country Women's Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231232320/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch/kingaroy/|archive-date=31 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=1 January 2019}}

File:RAAF Kingaroy firing butt.JPGSt Mary's Catholic Primary School opened in January 1929. In 1980 it merged with St Mary's Catholic Secondary School to become South Burnett Catholic College.

The town's wastewater treatment plant was established circa 1940 with the treated water being discharged into the Stuart River. A major upgrade occurred between 2014 2016 resulting greater processing capacity at greater efficiency with treated water now being recycled for use on sporting fields and the golf course.{{Cite web|title=Nereda municipal waste water treatment plant {{!}} Kingaroy, Australia|url=https://www.royalhaskoningdhv.com/en-gb/nereda/nereda-plants-a-to-z/australia-kingaroy/4001|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-22|website=Royal Haskoning DHV|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021095848/https://www.royalhaskoningdhv.com/en-gb/nereda/nereda-plants-a-to-z/australia-kingaroy/4001}}

The Royal Australian Air Force had a significant operational and training presence in the region during the World War II, the first squadrons deploying to the town's airport about mid-1942. At least eight squadrons were based at RAAF Kingaroy then (viz. Nos. 1, 4, 5, 6, 15, 75, 92 and 93 Squadrons), together with No. 3 Initial Training School. Aircraft operated there by the RAAF included Avro Ansons, CAC Wirraways, DAP Beauforts, DH Mosquitos, Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawks and Bristol Beaufighters. Kingaroy R.A.A.F. Post Office was open from 7 August 1942 until 28 February 1946.{{Cite web|title=Kingaroy Airfield, Queensland, Australia, during WW2|url=https://www.ozatwar.com/airfields/kingaroy.htm|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-22|website=Oz@War|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928161650/https://www.ozatwar.com/airfields/kingaroy.htm}}

The presence of the US Army in Queensland generally and more particularly in Kingaroy created a need to supply them with very large quantities of navy beans (known as baked beans in Australia) which led to widespread planting of navy beans in the Kingaroy area from 1940 with seed supplied by the US Army. Such was the military importance of navy beans that all war-time production of navy beans was done under contract to the Australian Government and subject to the National Security Act. After the war, the industry struggled with a number of issues including tariffs, marketing, processing and being controlled from Brisbane. With the vast majority of bean growers in Queensland being in the Kingaroy area and following the destruction of the processing factory in Toowoomba, local growers decided to form a co-operative based in Kingaroy to process and market the product locally on a site provided by Kingaroy Shire Council who wanted to encourage the project. Since 1993, the cooperative is known as Bean Growers Australia.{{Cite web|title=History|url=https://www.beangrowers.com.au/history|access-date=2021-02-22|website=Bean Growers Australia|language=en-AU|archive-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618185559/http://www.beangrowers.com.au/history|url-status=live}}

St Mary's Catholic Secondary School opened in 1946. In 1980 it merged with St Mary's Catholic Primary School to become South Burnett Catholic College.

Kingaroy State High School opened on 28 January 1958, replacing the secondary department at Kingaroy State School.

South Burnett Catholic College opened in 1980, as the merger of St Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools.

Kingaroy Christian College opened on 24 April 1984 and closed on 6 May 1999. The college had buried a time capsule on 24 April 1994. On 16 April 2013, former students dug up the time capsule with the assistance of the owners of the former school site. The time capsule contained a number of small items including a floppy disk.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Anne |date=2013-04-17 |title=Capsule Captures School Memories |url=https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2013/04/17/capsule-captures-school-memories/ |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=southburnett.com.au |language=en-AU}}

St John's Lutheran Primary School opened on 23 January 1989 with 26 students and 2 teachers. The school was established by relocating the school buildings from the closed Mannuem Creek State School in Mannuem.{{Cite news |last=McGrath |first=Jessica |date=27 March 2019 |title=Celebrating three decades of schooling milestones |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/south-burnett/celebrating-three-decades-of-schooling-milestones/news-story/623480873a8695084ab5cc7f2e9d0b39 |access-date=6 October 2024 |work=South Burnett Times}}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Anne |date=2014-03-11 |title=St John's Looks To The Future |url=https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2014/03/11/st-johns-looks-to-the-future/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=southburnett.com.au |language=en-AU}} In 2014 the school expanded to offer junior secondary schooling (Years 7 to 9).{{Cite web|title=St John's Lutheran School History|url=https://www.sjls.qld.edu.au/about-us/school-history/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-21|website=St John's Lutheran School Kingaroy|language=en-AU|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130140429/https://www.sjls.qld.edu.au/about-us/school-history/}}

Kingaroy celebrated its centenary in 2004.{{Cite web |last=Pratt |first=Dorothy |author-link=Dorothy Pratt |date=7 October 2004 |title=Weekly Hansard |url=https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2004/2004_10_07_WEEKLY.pdf |access-date=8 April 2023 |publisher=Queensland Parliament |page=2882}}

Kingaroy is also noted for being the first region in Australia to be placed on Level 7 [https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/kingaroy-dam-runs-dry/news-story/699e81413368586ea4d98683195963b6 Water Restrictions], which occurred on 1 October 2007.{{Cite web |title=Level 7 Water Restrictions |url=http://www.kingaroy.qld.gov.au/pdfs/200709waternewsletter.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318080233/http://www.kingaroy.qld.gov.au/pdfs/200709waternewsletter.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-18 |access-date=11 January 2023 |website=Kingaroy Shire Council}}

In 2017, Kingaroy Magistrates and District Court underwent a $5.3 million refurbishment. The improvements included a full internal and external refurbishment and a new secure interview room for witnesses to give evidence. The courthouse was officially opened on 6 February 2018 by Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath.{{Cite web|date=6 February 2018|title=Media Statements|url=http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/2/6/kingaroy-courthouse-refurbishment-complete|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131815/http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/2/6/kingaroy-courthouse-refurbishment-complete|archive-date=6 February 2018|access-date=6 February 2018|website=The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory}}

Kingaroy has a number of sites listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, including:

• St Michael and All Angels Church, 2–6 Alford Street{{cite QHR|3969|St Michael and All Angels Church|602763|access-date=12 July 2013}}
• Carroll Cottage, 6 Edward Street{{cite QHR|16637|Carroll Cottage|601901|access-date=12 July 2013}}
• former Kingaroy Shire Council Chambers (now home to the Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery), 126 Haly Street{{cite QHR|33398|Kingaroy Shire Council Chambers (former)|602810|access-date=12 July 2013}}
• Kingaroy Peanut Silos, 117–131 Haly Street{{cite QHR|22|Kingaroy Peanut Silos|602764|access-date=12 July 2013}}
• Burrandowan Station Homestead, Kingaroy Road, Durong{{cite QHR|15423|Burrandowan Station Homestead|600648|access-date=12 July 2013}}
• Taabinga Homestead, 7 Old Taabinga Road, Haly Creek{{cite QHR|15422|Taabinga Homestead|600647|access-date=12 July 2013}}
• Wylarah, South Burrandowan Road, Ironpot{{cite QHR|15421|Wylarah|600646|access-date=12 July 2013}}
• former Kingaroy Butter Factory, 67 William Street{{cite QHR|27|Kingaroy Butter Factory (former)|602809|access-date=12 July 2013}}

Kingaroy also has a number of sites listed on the Local Heritage Register of the South Burnett Regional Council, including:

• Kingaroy Showgrounds – the former Coolabunia railway station and station master's house, pavilions, World War II huts, spectator stands, stables and amenities come under the umbrella of the Showgrounds listing, Youngman Street.{{Cite web |date=2016 |title=local-heritage-placecards |url=https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/3064/local-heritage-placecards |access-date=30 October 2022 |website=South Burnett Regional Council |at=Kingaroy Showgrounds |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018040525/https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/3064/local-heritage-placecards |url-status=live }}

File:Kingaroy State School, 2022.jpg

Kingaroy State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 61 Alford Street ({{coord|-26.5403|151.8331|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy State School}}).{{cite web|date=9 July 2018|title=State and non-state school details|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archivedate=21 November 2018|accessdate=21 November 2018|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=Kingaroy State School |url=https://kingaroyss.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Kingaroy State School |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225144809/https://kingaroyss.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 503 students with 44 teachers (41 full-time equivalent) and 33 non-teaching staff (22 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|title=ACARA School Profile 2018|url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|accessdate=28 January 2020|publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|url-status=live}} It includes a special education program.

File:Taabinga State School, Kingaroy, 2021 01.jpg

File:Taabinga State School, Kingaroy, 2021 03.jpg

Taabinga State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at Rae Street ({{coord|-26.5563|151.8381|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Taabinga State School}}).{{Cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=Taabinga State School |url=https://taabingass.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Taabinga State School |language=en |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227100254/https://taabingass.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 354 students with 25 teachers (21 full-time equivalent) and 22 non-teaching staff (13 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program. The school has a war memorial.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Anne |date=2020-10-28 |title=Funding For School Memorial |url=https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2020/10/28/funding-for-school-memorial/ |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=southburnett.com.au |language=en-AU |archive-date=10 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110222859/https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2020/10/28/funding-for-school-memorial/ |url-status=live }}

Saint Mary's Catholic College is a Catholic primary and secondary (Prep–12) school for boys and girls at 10 Kent Street ({{coord|-26.5346|151.8419|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Saint Mary's Catholic College}}).{{cite web|title=Saint Mary's Catholic College|url=https://www.saintmarys.qld.edu.au|accessdate=21 November 2018|archive-date=7 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107110505/http://www.saintmarys.qld.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 480 students with 41 teachers (38 full-time equivalent) and 30 non-teaching staff (22 full-time equivalent).

St John's Lutheran School is a private primary and secondary (Prep–9) school for boys and girls at 84-94 Ivy Street ({{coord|-26.5376|151.8552|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=St John's Lutheran School}}).{{cite web|title=St John's Lutheran School|url=https://www.sjls.qld.edu.au|accessdate=21 November 2018|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215225005/http://www.sjls.qld.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 432 students with 31 teachers (27 full-time equivalent) and 33 non-teaching staff (24 full-time equivalent).

Kingaroy State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at Toomey Street ({{coord|-26.5429|151.8323|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy State High School}}).{{Cite web |date=2022-09-08 |title=Kingaroy State High School |url=https://kingaroyshs.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Kingaroy State High School |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421093136/http://kingaroyshs.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 999 students with 99 teachers (91 full-time equivalent) and 49 non-teaching staff (35 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.{{cite web|title=Kingaroy SHS - Special Education Program|url=https://www.kingaroyshs.eq.edu.au|accessdate=21 November 2018|archive-date=21 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421093136/http://kingaroyshs.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}}

The Kingaroy campus of TAFE Queensland is a technical college on the north-east corner of the Bunya Highway and Geritz Road ({{coord|-26.5708|151.8261|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=TAFE Queensland}}).{{Cite web|title=Kingaroy TAFE Campus: Courses & Details|url=https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/study-locations/wide-bay-burnett/kingaroy.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-21|website=TAFE Queensland|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030221226/https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/study-locations/wide-bay-burnett/kingaroy.html}}

File:Kingaroyvineyard.JPG

File:Rural Queensland.jpgTraditionally, Kingaroy has always been the centre of Australia's peanut and navy bean industries but since the early 1990s it has also developed into one of the twin hubs of the South Burnett's rapidly expanding wine industry (the other hub is at Murgon, Redgate and Moffatdale, {{convert|55|km|mi}} to the north).

Droughts and uncertainty surrounding the region's annual peanut crop led some farmers to diversify and grow grapes. Rich volcanic soil, hot dry summers and cold winters proved to be ideal conditions for wine growing. Quite a number of vineyards were established in the region, and the success of their wine enables the South Burnett region, which includes Kingaroy, to promote the area as a tourist destination. The success of these enterprises has been largely attributed to the scenery of the location, and has benefited the local economy.

Bean Growers Australia is a cooperative association with its headquarters at 82-84 River Road ({{coord|-26.5504|151.8289|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Bean Growers Australia}}) where it has its processing factory. Its members grow a range of beans including soybeans, adzuki beans, navy beans, mungbeans, chickpeas, black eye beans, field peas, linseed and popcorn.{{Cite web|title=Bean Growers Australia|url=https://www.beangrowers.com.au/|access-date=2021-02-22|website=Bean Growers Australia|language=en-AU|archive-date=2 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802210610/http://www.beangrowers.com.au/|url-status=live}}

Other than grapes, peanuts and navy beans, other crops commonly grown in the Kingaroy area are sorghum, wheat, maize, sunflowers, citrus fruits and duboisia, a kind of plant often used for pharmaceutical products.

Kingaroy is centred on one of Australia's largest pork producing regions, and since the early 1960s has been home to one of Queensland's largest pig abattoirs, Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory.

Hardwood Forestry Plantations have been prominent across the landscape since the early 2000s, having been established on many farms in the region as joint ventures between Landholders and the Queensland Government. The Plantation Forestry Industry is expected to provide employment for many locals in the future.

Kingaroy has a vibrant sporting life. The town is home to a number of leading sports people including NRL players Chris Sandow and Chris McQueen Wallabies centre/fly-half Berrick Barnes, as well as former Australian cricket test and one day opening batter Matthew Hayden and Southern Stars women's cricket Australian representative bowler Holly Ferling. Kingaroy also has its own golf club, cricket club.

Kingaroy Bowls Club has 2 Grass greens and plays on Thursdays and Sundays. Kingaroy & District Tennis Association has 8 synthetic grass courts, and a practice wall. The tennis club holds Thursday night fixtures and other social day matches during the week. It is also has a notable speedway track.

Kingaroy has a rich history with Australia's four Football codes. Rugby League is arguably the most popular sport in terms of having a following, which reflects the passionate Rugby League culture in the Wide Bay-Burnett region. Kingaroy has a rugby league team that participates in the South Burnett Rugby League competition, named the Kingaroy Red Ants.

The town also has two Football (Soccer) teams, Gunners and Wests, that take part in the South Burnett's Football competition. Kingaroy is also home to the South Burnett Thrashers, a Rugby Union team that participates at B Grade level in the strong Darling Downs Rugby Union competition. In 2013, an AFL team, the South Burnett Saints, joined the Darling Downs competition. This is based in Kingaroy and plays at Lyle Vidler Oval. Kingaroy previously had junior and senior AFL teams in the Darling Downs AFL competition, with the Kingaroy Bulldogs senior men's side playing on and off from the early 1980s up until 2006, and the Kingaroy-Nanango Jets junior side playing up until 2009.

The Kingaroy Showgrounds is also home to the Kingaroy Speedway, a {{convert|400|m|yd|abbr=off}} clay oval. The speedway, which opened in 1968, is run by the South Burnett Speedway Club.[http://www.southburnettspeedway.com/ Lucas Oil Kingaroy Speedway] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125194714/http://www.southburnettspeedway.com/ |date=25 November 2015 }}

Kingaroy has a vibrant cultural and social life and is home to an art gallery and several local craft outlets as well as a range of well-maintained and attractive parklands. The South Burnett Regional Council operates a public library in Kingaroy at Glendon Street.{{Cite web|url=http://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/locate-a-library|title=Locate a Library - South Burnett Regional Council|publisher=South Burnett Regional Council|access-date=2016-02-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131025843/http://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/locate-a-library|archive-date=31 January 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/south_burnett/t.j._oneill_library|title=Kingaroy Library|date=15 August 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129140742/http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/south_burnett/t.j._oneill_library|archive-date=29 January 2018|url-status=live|access-date=29 January 2018}}

Live entertainment is held regularly at the Returned Services League club as well as several central hotels and in Kingaroy Town Hall. A half-dozen cellardoors are located either in town of very close to it.

The South Burnett Musical Comedy Society (SBMCS) is based in Kingaroy and annually holds a minor production (e.g. a concert) around April/May and a major production (a full theatrical musical) around August to October. The group celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019.

Kingaroy Police Station is at 11-13 Alford Street ({{coord|-26.5415|151.8402|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy Police Station}}).{{Cite web|title=Kingaroy Station|url=https://www.police.qld.gov.au/station/kingaroy-station|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-21|website=Queensland Police|archive-date=2 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402233611/https://www.police.qld.gov.au/station/kingaroy-station}}

Kingaroy Fire Station is on the southern corner of Kent Street and Edward Street ({{coord|-26.5370|151.8394|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy Fire Station}}).{{Cite web|date=18 November 2020|title=Emergency services facilities - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/923a4139-4a79-4744-8955-d73230796bd6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124224500/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/923a4139-4a79-4744-8955-d73230796bd6|archive-date=24 November 2020|access-date=24 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web|title=North Coast Region|url=https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/about/structure/regions/Pages/ncr.aspx|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-21|website=Queensland Fire and Emergency Services|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115032934/https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/about/structure/regions/Pages/ncr.aspx}}

Kingaroy SES Facility is at 5 Glendon Street ({{coord|-26.5438|151.8368|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy SES Facility}}).{{Google Maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-26.5438415,151.8374346,3a,50.3y,257.52h,83.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snX_knPp35wuA6m_2kuzDeA!2e0!7i3328!8i1664?hl=en|access-date=21 February 2021|title=Kingaroy SES facility}}

Kingaroy Hospital is a public hospital at 152-176 Youngman Street ({{coord|-26.5322|151.8388|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy Hospital (public)}}).{{Cite web|title=Kingaroy Hospital|url=https://www.health.qld.gov.au/services/darlingdowns/ddowns-kingaroy-hs|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-21|website=Queensland Health|language=en-AU|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927203250/https://www.health.qld.gov.au/services/darlingdowns/ddowns-kingaroy-hs}}

Lady Bjelke-Petersen Community Hospital (also known as South Burnett Community Private Hospital) is a private hospital at 31 Markwell Street ({{coord|-26.5429|151.8371|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Lady Bjelke-Petersen Community Hospital (private)}}) owned by the Queensland Eye Instutite.{{Cite web|title=Lady Bjelke-Petersen Community Hospital|url=http://www.ladyflohospital.com.au/|access-date=2021-02-21|website=ladyflohospital.com.au|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128195541/http://www.ladyflohospital.com.au/|url-status=live}}

Kingaroy Ambulance Station is on the western corner of Kent and Edward Street, opposite the fire station ({{coord|-26.5367|151.8391|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy Ambulance Station}}).{{Google Maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-26.5368743,151.8392654,3a,75y,324.64h,77.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3JRb1lYvoTz-p0tHeAypxg!2e0!7i3328!8i1664?hl=en|access-date=22 February 2021|title=Kingaroy Ambulance Station}}

The Kingaroy Public Library opened in 1945 and had a major refurbishment in 2011.{{Cite web |date=November 2017 |title=Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17 |url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf |archive-date=30 January 2018 |access-date=29 January 2018 |website=Public Libraries Connect}}

Kingaroy also has an aerodrome a few kilometres from the centre of town and there is a coach service between Proston and Caboolture on weekdays.{{Cite web |last= |date=2022 |title=Airports |url=https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/airports |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=South Burnett Regional Council |language=en |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101044431/https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/airports |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |title=Transport |url=https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/transport/transport-2 |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=South Burnett Regional Council |language=en |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103093044/https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/transport/transport-2 |url-status=live }}

Kingaroy Wastewater Treatment Plant is a sewage treatment plant at 7-33 Hodges Road ({{coord|-26.5532|151.8185|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy Wastewater Treatment Plant}}).{{Cite web|date=18 November 2020|title=Landmark Areas - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/db9c913b-b7e2-4d88-9a5e-32cbb1470f12|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121195536/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/db9c913b-b7e2-4d88-9a5e-32cbb1470f12|archive-date=21 November 2020|access-date=21 October 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web|title=Kingaroy Waste Water Treatment Plant produces recycled water|url=https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/news/article/1243/kingaroy-waste-water-treatment-plant-produces-recycled-water?newsID=1243|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-22|website=South Burnett Regional Council|language=en|archive-date=22 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222012124/https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/news/article/1243/kingaroy-waste-water-treatment-plant-produces-recycled-water?newsID=1243}}

The South Burnett Regional Council have a depot at 2 Ivins Street ({{coord|-26.5538|151.8281|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=South Burnett Regional Council depot}}).{{Cite web|date=17 November 2020|title=Building areas - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/536da964-19d2-42fb-9dd8-b46f15c4fb6f|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023081052/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/536da964-19d2-42fb-9dd8-b46f15c4fb6f|archive-date=23 October 2020|access-date=17 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

File:Kingaroy branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association, 122-124 Kingaroy Street, Kingaroy, 2023.jpg

Kingaroy Shoppingworld is a shopping centre on the corner of Youngman and Alford Street ({{coord|-26.5417|151.8369|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy Shoppingworld}}).{{Cite web|title=Kingaroy Shopping Centre|url=https://kingaroyshoppingworld.com.au/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-21|website=Kingaroy Shoppingworld|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115231030/http://kingaroyshoppingworld.com.au/}}

The Kingaroy and Kingaroy Twilight branches of the Queensland Country Women's Association meet at the Kingaroy CWA hall at 122-124 Kingaroy Street ({{Coord|-26.5422|151.8394|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy CWA Hall}}).{{Cite web|title=Branch Locations|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|archive-date=26 December 2018|access-date=26 December 2018|publisher=Queensland Country Women's Association}}{{Cite web|title=South Burnett's Online Business Directory|url=https://southburnett.com.au/cgi-bin/business/displaysb.cgi?searchtext=QCWA&mysubmit=Go!&search=search&searchtype=all|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-22|website=southburnett.com.au|archive-date=22 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222012129/https://southburnett.com.au/cgi-bin/business/displaysb.cgi?searchtext=QCWA&mysubmit=Go%21&search=search&searchtype=all}}

Kingaroy Showground is at 41-47 Avoca Street ({{coord|-26.5475|151.8295|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy Showground}}).

There are a number of parks in the area:

• Adermann Park ({{coord|-26.5367|151.8543|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Adermann Park}}){{Cite web|date=20 November 2020|title=Land for public recreation - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/land-for-public-recreation-queensland/resource/d55804bc-f416-478b-8e9a-c12587ce8009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122211519/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/land-for-public-recreation-queensland/resource/d55804bc-f416-478b-8e9a-c12587ce8009|archive-date=22 November 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}
• Apex Park ({{coord|-26.5324|151.8484|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Apex Park}})
• Belle Street Park ({{coord|-26.5354|151.8326|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Belle Street Park}})
• Bjelke Petersen Recreation Reserve ({{coord|-26.5489|151.8310|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Bjelke Petersen Recreation Reserve}})
• Carroll Nature Reserve ({{coord|-26.5305|151.8477|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Carroll Nature Reserve}})
• Cowie Drive Park ({{coord|-26.5302|151.8574|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Cowie Drive Park}})
• Dell Court Park ({{coord|-26.5368|151.8595|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Dell Court Park}})
• Doonkuna Street Park ({{coord|-26.5398|151.8590|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Doonkuna Street Park}})
• Earl Park ({{coord|-26.5381|151.8228|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Earl Park}})
• Earle Park Kingaroy ({{coord|-26.5407|151.8219|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Earle Park Kingaroy}})
• Fisher Street ({{coord|-26.5249|151.8512|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Fisher Street}})
• Freemans Nature Park ({{coord|-26.5318|151.8531|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Freemans Nature Park}})
• Gwalia Court Park ({{coord|-26.5232|151.8570|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Gwalia Court Park}})
• J A Carroll Park ({{coord|-26.5351|151.8435|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=J A Carroll Park}})
• Kingaroy Heights Environmental Park ({{coord|-26.5559|151.8624|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Kingaroy Heights Environmental Park}})
• Memorial Park ({{coord|-26.5393|151.8325|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Memorial Park}})
• North Street Park ({{coord|-26.5335|151.8298|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=North Street Park}})
• O'Neill Square ({{Coord|-26.5392|151.8399|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=O'Neill Square}}){{Cite web |title=Parks & Gardens |url=https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/parks-gardens |access-date=2023-04-08 |publisher=South Burnett Regional Council}}
• River Road Park ({{coord|-26.5511|151.8358|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=River Road Park}})
• Rotary Park ({{coord|-26.5414|151.8484|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Rotary Park}})
• Sonaree Crescent Park ({{coord|-26.5313|151.8621|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Sonaree Cresent Park}})
• Walter Road Park ({{coord|-26.5572|151.8395|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Walter Road Park}})
• Gordonbrook Dam {{Coord|-26.446714|151.752929}}){{Cite web |title=Gordonbrook Dam |url=https://www.queensland.com/gb/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25e83d5f1565045da1351-gordonbrook-dam |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=Queensland Government |publisher=Tourism and Events Queensland |language=en |archive-date=30 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030071531/https://www.queensland.com/gb/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25e83d5f1565045da1351-gordonbrook-dam |url-status=live }}

Regular events include:

• Wine and Food in the Park Festival (held annually on the second Saturday in March){{Cite web|url=https://winefood.southburnett.com.au/|title=South Burnett Wine and Food in the Park Festival|website=winefood.southburnett.com.au|access-date=2019-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007135257/https://winefood.southburnett.com.au/|url-status=live}}
• Kingaroy Show (held annually each May){{Cite web|url=https://kingaroyshowsociety.com/kingaroy-show/|title=Kingaroy Show – Kingaroy Show Society Inc|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-10-07|archive-date=23 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923105734/http://kingaroyshowsociety.com/kingaroy-show/|url-status=live}}
• Burrandowan Picnic Races (held annually each May at Burrandowan since 1922){{Cite web|url=https://www.burrandowan.com.au/|title=Burrandowan Picnic Races {{!}} South Burnett {{!}} BurrandowanRaces Chahpingah|website=burrandowan|language=en|access-date=2019-10-07|archive-date=20 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620225041/https://www.burrandowan.com.au/|url-status=live}}
• Kingaroy Trail Ride held since 2009 at "Minmore" {{convert|36|km|mi}} from Kingaroy on the Burrandowan road (May 2011){{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}
• Kingaroy Bacon Fest (held annually in August since 2018){{Cite web|url=http://www.kingaroybaconfest.com.au/|title=Kingaroy BaconFest – Brought to you by SunPork Fresh Foods|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007135559/http://www.kingaroybaconfest.com.au/|url-status=live}}
• the week-long UAV Outback Challenge flying robot competition (a week-long event held in September on alternate years){{Cite web|url=https://uavchallenge.org/about/|title=About|date=2014-10-18|website=UAV Challenge|language=en|access-date=2019-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007140213/https://uavchallenge.org/about/|url-status=live}}
• Christmas Carnival (annually each December).{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

The Central Business District of the town is dominated by the Peanut Company of Australia's peanut silos (a local landmark).

The Information, Art, and Heritage Precinct is located directly opposite the peanut silos.{{Cite web |title=Kingaroy |url=https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/towns/kingaroy/ |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=South Burnett Regional Council |language=en-AU |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101055248/https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/towns/kingaroy/ |url-status=live }} The complex includes

• the Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery,
• Visitor Information Centre,
• Heritage Museum,{{Cite web |last=Tourism and Events Queensland |date=2022 |title=Kingaroy Heritage Museum |url=https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25f0fd5f1565045da1e54-kingaroy-heritage-museum |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=Queensland Government |language=en |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101053425/https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25f0fd5f1565045da1e54-kingaroy-heritage-museum |url-status=live }}
• interpretative arena which highlights local industries.

The Heritage Precinct includes

• Carroll's Cottage (the first building constructed in Kingaroy)
• Carrollee Hotel
• Shire's earliest Council Chambers (built in 1913).

The Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail follows the old railway line between the two towns. It is {{Convert|88|km|lk=on}} long and passes through Goomeri, Murgon, Wondai, Tingoora, Wooroolin, Memerambi, and Crawford. The trail from Kilkivan to Murgon is unsealed. Queensland’s first and longest sealed rail trail section of {{Convert|44|km}} from Murgon to Kingaroy is for walkers and cyclists only. Short distances between towns means coffee is never far away.{{Cite web |title=Rail Trails in the South Burnett |url=https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/things-to-do/rail-trails-in-the-south-burnett/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=South Burnett Regional Council |language=en-AU |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031230311/https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/things-to-do/rail-trails-in-the-south-burnett/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Gympie Regional |title=Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail |url=https://www.gympie.qld.gov.au/kilkivan-kingaroy-rail-trail/kilkivan-kingaroy-rail-trail-1 |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=Gympie Regional Council |language=en |archive-date=14 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814024035/https://www.gympie.qld.gov.au/kilkivan-kingaroy-rail-trail/kilkivan-kingaroy-rail-trail-1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=South Burnett Rail Trail |url=https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/attractions/natural-attractions/south-burnett-rail-trail-2/ |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=South Burnett Regional Council |language=en-AU |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101053419/https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/attractions/natural-attractions/south-burnett-rail-trail-2/ |url-status=live }}

The town has two lookouts.

• The narrow road to Mt Wooroolin Lookout is not suitable for vehicles towing caravans or trailers. The lookout provides 360 degree views, as well as a grassed area with picnic tables and wood barbecues.{{Cite web |title=Mount Wooroolin Lookout |url=https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25e862880253d74c46295-mount-wooroolin-lookout |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Tourism and Events Queensland |publisher=Queensland Government |language=en |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031221330/https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b25e862880253d74c46295-mount-wooroolin-lookout |url-status=live }} There is a {{Convert|2.4|km|lk=off|adj=on}} loop trail for hikers and mountain bikers from Mt Wooroolin Lookout through the nature reserve of endangered eucalypt woodland and dry vine forest.{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Walking tracks - WBBROC.pub |url=https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Walking-tracks-WBBROC.pdf |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=South Burnett Regional Council |publisher=Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils Inc |language=en-AU |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309211548/https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Walking-tracks-WBBROC.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Mount Wooroolin Circuit |url=https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/queensland/mount-wooroolin-circuit |access-date=1 November 2022 |website=AllTrails |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031232819/https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/queensland/mount-wooroolin-circuit |url-status=live }} Regent Bowerbirds, Black-breasted buttonquail and Eastern Shriketit can sometimes be sighted.
• Apex Park and Lookout is adjacent to the Carrol Nature Reserve Kokoda Track (refer Amenities). The lookout is accessed by a walking track.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Kingaroy Apex Park and Lookout |url=https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/attractions/parks-and-gardens/kingaroy-apex-park-and-lookout/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=South Burnett Regional Council |language=en-AU |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031225131/https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/attractions/parks-and-gardens/kingaroy-apex-park-and-lookout/ |url-status=live }} Dollar birds, Indian Koel, Rufous whistler, Rufous fantail and the Eastern whipbird can sometimes be sighted.{{Cite web |date=2020-08-29 |title=Carrol Nature Reserve Kokoda Track |url=https://visitdarlingdowns.com.au/listing/carrol-nature-reserve-kokoda-track/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Visit Darling Downs, Queensland |language=en-AU |archive-date=19 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419113707/https://visitdarlingdowns.com.au/listing/carrol-nature-reserve-kokoda-track/ |url-status=live }}

The Kingaroy Observatory (formerly Maidenwell Observatory) was moved to its new site in Geoff Raph Drive at the airport in early March 2015 and opened for business on 29 June. Kingaroy Observatory is a major tourist attraction for those wanting to eyeball the Universe up close, in large powerful telescopes, under a canopy of stars not affected by light pollution.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.kingaroyobservatory.com/about-us/ |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=Kingaroy Observatory |language=en-AU |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005054019/https://www.kingaroyobservatory.com/about-us/ |url-status=live }}

The town is situated in the middle of some spectacular scenery, and is popular for bushwalking.

Several wineries are located either in or very close to the town, along with the Booie Range Distillery which opened in 2001 – only the third distillery in Queensland.

Kingaroy is the largest town in the South Burnett and the region's commercial centre, offering all the services, shopping facilities and many of the industries generally expected in much larger centres. The town has its own hotels, motels, caravan parks, bed and breakfasts and cabins; and a range of restaurants, fast food outlets and petrol stations (including 24-hour petrol stations). Unlike many towns of its size, Kingaroy has its own shopping mall that includes Woolworths, Big W, and other retailers.

The Big Peanut is a monument located in Lions Park on the corner of Kingaroy Street and Baron Street. It is considered to be one of Australia's big things. Constructed by scrap metal artist Kane Minogue using old farming machinery from local peanut farms, the 450 kilogram sculpture stands at 3.4 metres tall and has a width of 1.4 metres.{{cite news|last=Long|first=Brandon|date=9 November 2021|title=Big Peanut artist Kane Minogue tells his story|url=https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/7502769/scrapping-a-job-for-a-dream/|work=Queensland Country Life|publisher=Australian Community Media|location=|access-date=10 April 2022|archive-date=10 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410104228/https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/7502769/scrapping-a-job-for-a-dream/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Long|first=Brandon|date=5 November 2021|title=Big Peanut unveiled in Kingaroy|url=https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/7498531/kingaroy-finally-gets-its-big-peanut|work=Queensland Country Life|publisher=Australian Community Media|location=|access-date=10 April 2022|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105060008/https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/7498531/kingaroy-finally-gets-its-big-peanut/|url-status=live}}

The Big Peanut was installed in Lions Park on 4 November 2021 and was officially unveiled at a community celebration on 2 April 2022 which was also held to recognise the Kingaroy Needs A Big Peanut committee, the sponsors and Minogue.{{cite news|last1=Cormack|first1=Holly|last2=Elsome|first2=Dominic|date=4 November 2021|title=Kingaroy's Big Peanut lands in Lions Park after four year journey|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/south-burnett/community/kingaroys-big-peanut-lands-in-lions-park-after-four-year-journey/news-story/6d1431d0af78f603976fb60fbaa194e7|work=South Burnett Times|publisher=News Corp Australia|location= |access-date=10 April 2022}}{{cite news|last=McGrath|first=Jessica|date=9 April 2022|title=Party for Kingaroy's nut|url=https://cqtoday.com.au/news/2022/04/09/party-for-kingaroys-nut|work=South Burnett Today|publisher=Star News Group|location=|access-date=10 April 2022|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408035659/https://cqtoday.com.au/news/2022/04/09/party-for-kingaroys-nut/|url-status=live}} The original mascot from the defunct Kingaroy Peanut Festival was also in attendance. Kingaroy's Peanut Festival was an annual event held from 1959 until it was axed in 2011 following the Queensland floods due to a lack of community support.{{cite news|last=McGrath|first=Jessica|date=7 February 2022|title=Festival of 'Our Peanuts'|url=https://burnetttoday.com.au/news/2022/02/07/festival-of-our-peanuts|work=South Burnett Today|publisher=Star News Group|location=|access-date=10 April 2022|archive-date=23 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323195659/https://burnetttoday.com.au/news/2022/02/07/festival-of-our-peanuts/|url-status=live}}

Although the idea for such as landmark had regularly been suggested for at least thirty years prior, it wasn't until 2017 when the concept for The Big Peanut garnered substantial support after a social media campaign was launched called "Kingaroy Needs A Big Peanut" which drew support from South Burnett Regional Council.{{cite news |last=Morris|first=Katherine|date=24 February 2017|title=Campaign to make Kingaroy big peanut a reality |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/south-burnett/campaign-to-make-kingaroy-big-peanut-a-reality/news-story/4bb27b0b124c614277b91878f7eabbf5|work=South Burnett Times|publisher=News Corp Australia|location= |access-date=10 April 2022}} Prior to the installation of The Big Peanut, the landmark was depicted in a 2020 episode of the ABC Kids program Bluey.{{cite web|url=https://www.hit.com.au/story/bluey-producer-sam-moor-chats-about-including-kingaroy-s-non-existent-big-peanut-in-the-show-why-167889|title=Bluey Producer Sam Moor Chats About Including Kingaroy's Non-Existent Big Peanut In The Show & Why!|last=Lowther|first=Amber|date=15 February 2021|website=Hit Network|publisher=Southern Cross Austereo|access-date=10 April 2022|quote=|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408035653/https://www.hit.com.au/story/bluey-producer-sam-moor-chats-about-including-kingaroy-s-non-existent-big-peanut-in-the-show-why-167889|url-status=live}}

In March 2022, a 29-year-old man appeared in court on 15 charges including 12 counts of wilful damage by graffiti after he used spray paint to vandalise The Big Peanut and other local sites across Kingaroy between 3 January 2022 and 10 January 2022.{{cite news |last=Elsome|first=Dominic|date=3 March 2022|title=James Michael Pernich, 29, sentenced for string of Kingaroy vandalism|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/south-burnett/police-courts/james-michael-pernich-29-sentenced-for-string-of-kingaroy-vandalism/news-story/086bb4ecb18288686a0f5df46249101f|work=South Burnett Times|publisher=News Corp Australia|location= |access-date=10 April 2022}}{{cite news|last=McGrath|first=Jessica|date=23 February 2022|title=Firm stance against graffiti|url=https://burnetttoday.com.au/news/2022/02/23/firm-stance-against-graffiti|work=South Burnett Today|location=|access-date=10 April 2022|archive-date=28 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328072129/https://burnetttoday.com.au/news/2022/02/23/firm-stance-against-graffiti/|url-status=live}} He was ordered to pay restitution, complete 40 hours of unpaid graffiti removal work and also fined $250 for drug offences.

{{columns-list|colwidth=35em|

• Charles Adermann, politician
• Evan Adermann, politician
• Matt Ballin, rugby league player
• Berrick Barnes, rugby league and rugby union player
• Florence Bjelke-Petersen, politician and writer
• Joh Bjelke-Petersen, 31st Premier of Queensland
• Dave Brown, rugby league player
• Taliqua Clancy, beach volleyball player
• Jim Edwards, politician
• Bill Feldman, policeman and politician
• Holly Ferling, cricket player
• Deb Frecklington, politician
• Matthew Hayden, cricket player
• Ellen Kent Hughes, doctor
• Bob Irwin, naturalist and father of Steve Irwin
• Kelvin Kerkow, lawn bowls player and author
• David Jull, politician
• Don Livingstone, politician
• Brittany Lauga, politician and town planner
• George Logan, politician
• Ian Macfarlane, politician
• Chris McQueen, rugby league player
• Trevor Perrett, politician
• Colin Petersen, musician and music producer
• Carl Rackemann, cricket player
• Chris Sandow, rugby league player
• Brad Tessmann, rugby league player
• Robyn Thorn, swimmer
• Esikeli Tonga, rugby league player
• Willie Tonga, rugby league player
• Warren Truss, politician, 16th Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
• Jack Venman, pastoralist

}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/kingaroy|title=Kingaroy|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}}
• {{cite web|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-kingaroy-1986.jpg|title=Town Map of Kingaroy|date=1986|publisher=Queensland Government}}
• [http://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/ South Burnett Regional Council] – Official site
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090402005719/http://winefood.southburnett.com.au/ Kingaroy Wine & Food in the Park Festival]

{{South Burnett Region}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Localities in Queensland