Situated just over an hours drive from Maleny is the Cooloola Hinterland town of Imbil.   This historic town started out as a gold mining town, turned to timber and later agriculture and dairying.    Imbil is situated on the banks of the Mary River and a short drive further on is situated Boorumba Dam which is used for flood mitigation in Gympie and Maryborough along with supplying water for Gympie.

Starting out from Maleny early on one summer morning and travelling towards Kenilworth allows the "tourist" to visit the outer Maleny area of Witta, passing the Witta General Store.   Witta is quickly turning from agriculture and dairying to a rural residential area.

Once through Witta we travel down the western side of the Blackall Range towards the Conondale Valley.   After about 20 minutes drive we come to the township of Conondale.   This quaint country town is also undergoing many changes as the population of the area continues to grow.

Once leaving Conondale a short drive passing through the Mary River Valley it is just a few kilometers to the town of Kenilworth.

Kenilworth has grown with both the timber and dairying industries.   Kraft Cheeses had a cheese factory in the town but it was subsequently closed but now continues in operation through the dedication of a consortium of local dairy farmers.    It produces a number of boutique cheeses.

The main street of Kenilworth is a great place for a cuppa and a short break - especially if younger people are also travelling.   The Maroochy Shire Council has set up a great adventure park which is very popular with not only younger people but older ones as well.

To be continued.........