Discover the charm of the Mary Valley one village at a time. From heritage townships and creative communities to country hamlets nestled beside creeks, forests and rolling farmland, each village offers its own unique character, local flavours and warm welcome. Take the scenic route, linger a little longer and experience the people, stories and landscapes that make the Mary Valley feel wonderfully authentic
Dagun is a charming village known for its beautifully restored historic railway station and strong country community spirit. Surrounded by rolling green hills and rural landscapes, it’s a peaceful place to slow down and experience the relaxed pace of the Mary Valley.
Visitors can enjoy local hospitality, scenic drives and easy access to nearby wineries, cafés and attractions throughout the region. The Silver Bullet also stops at Dagun’s station adding to it’s unique railway heritage and country character. Venture out to music afternoons, wine and cheese events to add to the ambiance of the station.
Whether you’re exploring the Mary Valley by road or rail, Dagun offers a quiet and authentic country experience that captures the heart of the region.
Amamoor is the home of the Gympie Music Muster every year. With more than 100 artists, performing over 4 days, the Gympie Music Muster is Australia’s original and best camping and music experience.
Amamoor is also the destination of the Mary Valley Rattler several times a week.
Closer to town there is the Amamoor Equine Centre. The immense Amamoor State Forest around the township provides fabulous nature-based experiences including the Amama day-use area, The Platypus Walk, The Rainforest Walk at Cedar Grove, Cedar Grove Camping Area and Amamoor Creek Camping Area.
Kandanga is the original RV Central of the Mary Valley.
This lovely little township offers a quiet and secluded Kandanga Canoe & Kayak Water Trail, the historic railway bridge, Kandanga RV Park right in the heart of town, along with sports fields, a swimming pool, tennis courts and Kandanga Creek, where you may even spot a platypus.
At the heart of the town is the historic Kandanga Hotel, a much-loved local meeting place offering food, drinks and a taste of country hospitality. The Kandanga Country Club also provides dining and club facilities, RV camping and lawn bowls. If you need to stock up before hitting the road again, the Kandanga Snack Bar is conveniently located in the middle of town.
Imbil is one of the largest towns in the Mary Valley and the gateway to Lake Borumba. Nestled on the banks of Yabba Creek, it welcomes visitors with beautiful parklands, a variety of shops and services, stylish eateries, weekly markets and a vibrant local arts scene, including a fine art gallery showcasing regional talent.
The Imbil State Forest adjoins the town, providing immediate access to forest walks, mountain bike rides and scenic drives. The Mary Valley Rail Trail links Imbil with Brooloo and is a popular attraction for walkers and cyclists.
Imbil is also home to international endurance riding facilities, attracting visitors from across the country to enjoy the Valley’s natural playground of creeks, waterfalls, forest, wildlife and open countryside. As a key business centre, the town offers all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay, while the Imbil Camping Retreat, set on the banks of Yabba Creek in the heart of town, provides a relaxed base for exploring the region
Brooloo is perfect for horseback riding or soaking up the quiet country atmosphere of the valley. Visit the designated George Burtenshaw Feature Protection Area Bellbird Habitat to experience the unique melodies of these tiny birds or access the Imbil Forestry for a drive, walk or ride in the cool forest. The Mary Valley Rail Trail links Brooloo and Imbil with a 9km round trip for walkers, cyclists or horse riders. In earlier years Brooloo was the end of the Mary Valley Railway line and boasted a hotel.
Charming Kenilworth has a wide range of engaging activities to keep you entertained when visiting. This historic town is nestled on the banks of the mighty Mary River with parklands providing easy access for swimmers, kayakers and anglers. Extremely popular with RVs and campers, the Kenilworth Showgrounds provides extensive country camping. You can also visit the famous ‘Loo With A View’. Well known for its annual food and wine events and famous donuts, the town also boasts Kenilworth Dairies as a major attraction where you can sample award-winning local cheeses, ice cream and more. Home to the Ember and Harvest Festival showcases local products each year, this is a beautiful and relaxed country town with shops, cafes and more, perfect for your weekend trip.
A short drive from Maleny or Kenilworth, Conondale sits in a valley at the headwaters of the Mary River. You can take scenic drives through traditional dairy pastures or visit a number of famous beauty spots, creeks and picnic areas including the cool tranquillity of Little Yabba Creek Rest Area on Kenilworth side.
Walkers can explore the Conondale Great Walk for a range of experiences. The Conondale area is fast becoming a popular caravanning and camping location with many new and boutique camping grounds now open.
Check the ‘Stay’ page for accommodation options and the Walking Trails page for a wide variety of walks in National Parks or Forests.
