Kilburnie Homestead

Located in the Banana Shire, in Queensland, Australia, the 134yr old Kilburnie Homestead is a unique place.  Yes, it's a cattle station.  But there's more. A fascinating collection of art and historic material has been amassed at Kilburnie for the past century, and now it is time to shed light on this amazing legacy.  In early 2017 the Homestead was opened to the public for the first time, and since then we have welcomed around 500 visitors to Kilburnie.  

Kilburnie hosts monthly public Open Days from April - August, with changing exhibitions of Art and History.  (See What's On)  Every Open Day we also welcome local musicians to perform in the Homestead.  There is an entry fee, but trust us, we are worth it! We also fund-raise for the R.F.D.S. and are committed to supporting local artists and businesses, in honour of the late Ruby Campbell.

The Homestead is 25km from the local town of Biloela, and 15km from the village of Jambin, 100km from Gladstone, and 140km from Rockhampton.  We are easily found on the Argoon Kilburnie Road, and are certainly regional, but definitely NOT remote!  4WDs are welcome, but not necessary! 

  • We offer guided tours of the main homestead, outbuildings, burial sites, and gallery.
  • Multimedia displays help tell the story of Kilburnie and the Campbell family.
  • Live blacksmithing displays and horse and buggy rides at some Open Days (see What's On)
  • Plenty of parking space and limited wheelchair access to the ground-floor areas.
  • Light refreshments are available to purchase on Open Days and there are shaded seating and eating areas throughout the grounds.
  • We have toilet facilities and are child-friendly.

Q-Album contributions

Certificate of Registration number 11236 for VL2 Brand, dated 20th March, 1876, registered to "John Campbell, Dungaree, Gladstone"

Certificate of Registration, VL2 Brand

Black and white photograph of the Dumgree Homestead, outbuildings, and stockyards. The buildings are all single-storey, rough timber with corrugated iron roofs. Bob Fry from the Gladstone - Banana mail coach is changing his horses over in fenced paddock near the sheds.

Dumgree Homestead

Acrylic still life of a fruit bowl by Ruby Campbell. The yellow bowl contains a lemon, an apple and what appears to be a tomato, but may be a different kind of fruit! A banana lies on the table beside the bowl. The signature RM CAMPBELL 1961 is at lower right of image.

Ruby Campbell, Still Life, Acrylic, 1961

Watercolour painting of a landscape featuring a yellow-flowered wattle tree at far right. There is a collection of other trees at the rear of the image, with a green grassy slope and rocks to be seen in the foreground. The signature RM Campbell is at lower right of image.

Ruby Campbell Watercolour "Wattle"

Pencil drawing of a horse's head looking to the left. The horse's ears are tilted back, so it may be listening to something behind it, or it may be in a bad mood! It has a darker mane and muzzle, and lighter coat. It has been initialed RMC under the chin of the horse.

Ruby Campbell Pencil Drawing

Artwork depicting a young woman's head and shoulders in profile, looking to the right against a dark background. She has long brown hair swept to one side, and wears a pink rose as a hair ornament. She appears to be wearing a bare-shouldered dress..

Ruby Campbell Illustrator's Diploma Artwork

Black and white photograph of the Belle Vue Hotel, Rockhampton. The Hotel is a two-storey brick building with a large veranda around the upper storey, and a veranda along the lower storey. A large sign above the Hotel proclaims its name, and a large sign on the end of the lower storey veranda says "Alf Telford Belle Vue Hotel". A large painted sign on the window facing the street says "BAR". Alf Telford, the proprietor, and his family and employees stand proudly on the street in front.

Belle Vue Hotel, Rockhampton c. 1920

Black and white etching of a dog's head in profile facing to the left. The dog is wearing a collar, and is possibly a longhaired terrier of some kind. Under the image is the etched signature R. CAMPBELL and the date 1930

Ruby Campbell Etching of Terrier

Black and white photograph of Rockhampton Hospital buildings, c.1910. The two-storey buildings are brick and timber, with wide verandas upstairs and downstairs, surrounded by garden beds, with a gravel driveway., and white picket fencing

Rockhampton General Hospital c.1910

Black and white photograph taken at Rockhampton hospital showing newly graduated nurses, and staff members surrounding a doctor, who is seated centrally in the front row. The nurses wear starched white uniforms and caps, and the doctor wears a light coloured suit. A second gentleman at the right of the front row may be the anaesthetist.

Sister Beryl Campbell and the Rockhampton Hospital

Colour photograph of the headstone inscription on Walter Pasley's grave at Kilburnie. It reads "Walter Pasley, Died at Kilburnie. Sep 19, 1888. Aged 60 years. Tutor & Artist. Peace I give unto You."

Walter Pasley's Grave

Black and white photograph of the ruins of the Rainbow Hotel. The image shows a long, single-storey slab building in a state of decay, with large holes in the walls. It is in the middle of a grassy paddock, with a hill in the background.

Old Rainbow Hotel

Black and white photograph of Kilburnie Homestead, taken approx 1950. There is a single-storey detached kitchen and storeroom on the left, and the larger two-storey living areas of the homestead on the right. A white picket fence and trees surround the structures.

Kilburnie Homestead

Black and white photograph of John Gordon Leslie (Gordon) Campbell in his Light Horse Uniform, taken in a studio. He wears a cap instead of the slouch hat, military tunic, riding breeches, leather leggings and boots, and carries a riding crop.

John Gordon Leslie Campbell

Black and white photograph of Alice Kate Leslie Campbell in what appears to be a simple white linen dress.

Alice Kate Leslie Campbell

Black and White photograph of William Blair Campbell in the Kilburnie Saddling Yard with his bay horses. He is riding one, and leading two packhorses loaded with gear. He wears a wide-brimmed hat and work clothes, and is smoking a cigarette.

William Blair Campbell

Black and white photograph of Rachel Rose Campbell, possibly taken on her wedding day. She wears what appears to be a fur stole, and a dress with intricate detailing on the cuffs over an elegant white blouse. Her hair is swept up in an elegant style. She reclines on one elbow, smiling.

Rachel Rose Campbell

This photograph shows Thomas Brydges Campbell in his uniform for the Australian Commonwealth Horse. He wears a military tunic and slouch hat. He has a moustache.

Thomas Brydges Campbell

Black and white photograph of Mary Elizabeth Campbell, probably taken around 1919. She is wearing small half-glasses, and a dark dress over white blouse with a ribbon rosette at the throat. She also appears to be wearing a string of pearls.

Mary Elizabeth (May) Campbell

This photograph was taken in August 2019. It shows descendants of John & Elizabeth Campbell placing a plaque on the grave of Margaret Campbell. The grave is in a paddock next to the Dumgree homestead.

Margaret Campbell's Grave

  • Kilburnie Homestead logo
  • Address
    Argoon Kilburnie Road, Callide, Queensland
  • Phone
    0438 093 019
  • Website
    Website
  • Email
    kilburniehomestead@gmail.com
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