Colonial Settlement, Published 27 July 2026
History in the Hinterland!
Tucked away beside Gheerulla Creek, just outside Kenilworth, Pioneer Park is more than a peaceful picnic spot, it's a tribute to the pioneers who helped shape this beautiful corner of the Sunshine Coast.
The park stands on the traditional Country of the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) people and honours the pioneer farming families who arrived in the district between 1890 and 1900. Their names are proudly displayed on the memorial, recognising the determination it took to establish a community in the hinterland.
One local who helped preserve their legacy was dairy farmer Albert "Bert" Sims. After a new bridge and road realignment in 1940 resumed part of his property along Gheerulla Creek, Bert requested the land become a lasting memorial to the pioneer farmers of the Kenilworth district. His vision was realised in 1979 through Federal Drought Relief funding and a great deal of volunteer labour.
Today, it's the perfect place to slow down. Read the historical displays, enjoy a picnic beneath the trees, spend time by the creek and take a moment to appreciate this quiet piece of local history.
Pioneer Park, Gheerulla – where history, nature and community come together.
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