Set amongst tree lined deep gorges, panoramic views, crystal clear mountain streams and waterfalls is the Kenilworth Forest Reserve. Close to the town of Kenilworth and sprawled across the rugged Conondale ranges, this harsh and mostly underdeveloped landscape breathes life force into the visitor with its abundnace of trees and protected wildlife.
There are four camping grounds within the reserve.
Areas one and three are canopied by luxuriant rainforest trees cooling the area considerably and this assists the visitor to relax and take life easy in the tented only sites.
The Booloumba Creek camping area four and Charlie Moorlands camping area two are more open and grassy with more room for larger vehicles such as caravans and the latter has even a paddock next to the camp sites for the visitors horses. The camping grounds have various facilities but all have drinking water, toilets, fire rings and barbeques. Two of the camping grounds adjoin the picturesque Booloumba Creek while Charlie Moorland camping grounds is nestled aside Little Yabba Creek and from both creeks many walks start.
The walks from the camping grounds range from leisurely strolls to challenging hikes and this takes the visitor on a kaleidoscope of diverse forests and curious wildlife.
One of the most popular walks is to the Mt Allan Fire Tower which is arduous as it follows steep plantation roads and leaving Booloumba Creek the visitor needs to traverse a suspension bridge but the walk is well worth the view of the Booloumba Gorge. Whilst at the Fire Tower if the visitor climbs the stairs leading to the viewing platform they are rewarded with supurb views up the Mary Valley towards Maleny.
Another pleasant walk is the Booloumba Falls return walk enjoying sites such as the Cascades, numerous waterfalls, rock pools and the Breadknife rock formation.
The Little Yabba Circuit is a great place for birdwatching and meandering through Hoop Pine plantations and regenerating forests is very calming.
Fig Tree Walk is a short circuit but strolling past the dense and luxuriant rainforests is picturesque although the visitor needs to be mindful of the large stinging trees alongside the walk.
Piccabeen Circuit is an extension of Little Yabba Circuit where the walk takes one through more plantation trees a Piccabeen Palm Grove and dense rainforest.
The Peters Creek Walk takes you through open forest to rainforest and then meeting up with a boulder strewn creek where clear water rock pools engage with cascades and delight the visitor.
Lastly the Gold Mine Walk takes you past riparian rainforest and along the way are magnificent views of Booloumba Creek with its steep gorges. The trail then leads to an old gold mine which is now occupied by colonies of Eastern Horseshoe and Common Bentwing Bats and the mine is closed to the public due to the fungus in the bat guano.
Many of the walks allow the visitor to enjoy Booloumba Creek and the adjoining Little Yabba Creek where certain spots have tantalising natural swimming holes.
After heavy rainfall in the area, the roads can be closed even to four wheel drive vehicles whereas most of the time even conventional vehicles can enter the reserve as there are many shallow creek crossings that can be easily navigated.
There is such a diverse array of wildlife in this area to be seen including the shy Yellow Bellied Glider, cheeky Brush Turkeys and Platypus with another 120 or so different species of birds and mammals. The area also emcompasses a mosiac of plantation species the most common being Hoop Pine whereas in the natural open eucalypt forests Grey Gum, Grey Ironbark and White Magogany abound with an understorey of grass and smaller shrubs. In the wetter areas taller trees such as Brush Box, Rose Gum, Tallowwood and Blackbutt predominate with dense vines and a shrubby understorey.
Other activities in this nature based and pristine area include scenic drives which includes a 37 kilometre forest drive and four wheel drive vehicles are a must as some of the roads are rough and steep. Also horse riding if you have your own horse, trail bike riding, camping, swimming, photography and picnicking. All of this and more makes the Kenilworth Forest reserve and surrounding areas well worth a visit whether a days outing or camping for many days. Firing up the barby, listening to the Bell Birds calling, relaxing around the tent site or swimming in the nearby creek is sheer pleasure amongst this natural rainforest scenery.