Kingaroy - the Peanut Capital

Peanut Company of Australia

Kingaroy derives its name from a Wakka Wakka aboriginal word for 'Red Ant' (Kingaroori) because of a unique species of ants found in the area which have adapted to the natural colour of Kingaroy's distinctive rich red soils.

Kingaroy has the most cosmopolitan feel of any South Burnett township but it's still a relaxed, friendly and informal country town at heart. It has the typical low-humidity semi-alpine climate of all South Burnett townships and 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 55km to the south-west.

The CBD area of the township is dominated by the Peanut Company of Australia's twin peanut silos (a local landmark). The Kingaroy Visitor Information Centre and Kingaroy Heritage Museum are both located directly opposite the peanut silos in the town's Heritage Precinct, which is made up of a collection of historic buildings ranging from Carroll's Cottage (the first building constructed in Kingaroy) through to the Carrollee Hotel and the Shire's earliest Council chambers.

Traditionally, Kingaroy has always been the centre of Australia's peanut and navy bean industries. But since the early 1990s it's 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, 55km to the north). 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 has a vibrant sporting, 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 town has two lookouts (at nearby Mt Wooroolin and Apex Park in Fisher Street) which provide striking panoramic views across the area. Kingaroy also has its own golf club, bowling club and RSL and regularly hosts live entertainment at these; at the Kingaroy Town Hall; and at several CBD hotels. A half-dozen wineries are located either in town of very close to it.

Major annual events include the Wine and Food In The Park Festival (held each March); the Kingaroy Show (held each May); the Burrandowan Picnic Races (held at Burrandowan on the outskirts of the Shire, also each May); the Kingaroy Peanut Festival (held each September); the two-day Taabinga Spring Music Festival (each October); and the Christmas Carnival (each December)