Guide to Imbil Queensland Australia

Imbil is a small town in the heart of the Mary Valley, about 40 minutes south of Gympie and an hour inland from Noosa. It sits on Yabba Creek among green hills, hoop pine forests and dairy and beef farms, with a main street of timber shops and a grand old railway hotel. It is the valley’s main village and the gateway to Lake Borumba, a large forested lake known for fishing and water sports.

Known For

• Lake Borumba, for saratoga, bass and water-skiing
• The Mary Valley Rail Trail to Brooloo
• A classic railway hotel and Sunday markets

The town of about 900 people has kept its character, with a memorial park, a row of shops under awnings and the old station yard, now a parkland with a restored platform. The valley around it is one of the most scenic farming landscapes in south-east Queensland.

Things To Do in Imbil

Lake Borumba

Twelve kilometres west of town along Yabba Creek Road, Borumba Dam holds back a lake that winds for many kilometres into forested hills. It is stocked with bass, golden perch and saratoga and is one of the best places in Queensland to catch the last of these. There is a day-use area below the dam wall, a boat ramp, and a privately run camping ground nearby. Water-skiing is allowed on the main basin. A fishing permit is required, and a proposal to build a large pumped hydro scheme here may affect access in coming years.

Mary Valley Rail Trail

A sealed trail of about five kilometres follows the old railway from Imbil to the hamlet of Brooloo, crossing a restored timber bridge and passing through farmland. It is an easy walk or ride for families.

Yabba Creek

The creek runs through the edge of town, with shady swimming holes, a canoe launching point and platypus that can sometimes be seen at dawn and dusk from the bridge.

Markets and the main street

A market is held in the centre of town every Sunday morning, with local produce, plants and crafts. The main street has galleries, a vintage store and cafes.

Forest drives and camping

Imbil State Forest surrounds the valley. South of town, Charlie Moreland camping area on Little Yabba Creek is one of the most popular forest camps in the region, with a walk to the Mount Allan fire tower. The road continues to Kenilworth, 20 minutes away.

Where To Stay

Imbil has the historic Railway Hotel with rooms, a motel, a caravan park beside the creek and several large private camping grounds in the valley.

Farm stays, cabins and retreats are scattered through the surrounding hills. Book ahead for long weekends and for the Music Muster in late August, when the whole valley fills.

Eat & Drink

The Railway Hotel, a two-storey timber pub from 1914, serves meals on its wide verandahs. The town also has a bakery, cafes and a general store, and local dairy products, macadamias and honey are sold at the Sunday market.

History

The Mary Valley is the country of the Kabi Kabi people. Imbil Station was taken up in the 1850s, and gold was mined briefly in the district in the 1860s. The town was established when the Mary Valley railway reached it in 1914, opening the forests to timber-getters; some of Queensland’s first hoop pine plantations were planted here from the 1920s. Borumba Dam was completed in 1964. In the 2000s the valley fought off a plan to flood much of it for the Traveston Crossing Dam.

Getting to Imbil

From the Bruce Highway south of Gympie, take the Mary Valley Road through Kandanga, about 25 kilometres. From the Sunshine Coast, drive through Kenilworth. Imbil is around 150 kilometres north of Brisbane. There is no regular public transport.