Kumbia is a town in the South Burnett region of Queensland, Australia. The town is located in the South Burnett Region and on the Bunya Highway, 231 kilometres (144 mi) north west of the state capital, Brisbane. At the 2006 census, Kumbia had a population of 191
Kumbia was a thriving town with Peanut farms and a Peanut processing plant, a sawmill, blacksmith, Mannuem Maize headquarters, also a Cheese factory. In 1927 there was a school, bank, bakery, 2 general stores, Drapery, Auctioneer, Memorial Hall, 18 houses and 3 churches and all the facilities of a thriving small town. Now there is a store with a cafe, a butcher, who also has lived here all his life and loves to yarn about the history of his town, a hotel and a service station.
The butchery was established in the 1920’s by G. Baartz, and became Lenihans Butchery in 1977. The inside still retains it original appearance, as well as the closed doors with the notice saying, We are Open.
The hotel was established in 1913 by Henry Hayden. In the early days there were patrons racing their farm horses along dusty Bell Street in front of the pub, the loser to ‘shout’ for the rest. Two-up games were common.
Kumbia was fairly wild on the 1920’s. Two men furious when the publican refused to serve them, rode their horses into the bar and threatened to shoot him. In 1917, the publican threw some drunks out and they threw over 100 bottles onto the roof. These incidents in the pub led to the establishment of a Police Station in 1927 because of the larrikins in the area.
A group of cyclists stopped overnight at Kumbia School grounds, after having ridden from Nanago to here. They will travel over 300 kms this week on their bikes accompanied by 3 vehicles carrying all their camping things.
The Playground and adjacent Apex park make a small but comfortable camping area for about 12 caravans with two power boxes and hot coin operated showers in the toilets.
The police station is across from the Apex Park, as is the Memorial Hall and the Pioneer Statue
The old businesses and buildings are all now private residences, or vacant blocks.
The little village of Kumbia is just outside Kingaroy with the Bunya Mountains still perhaps a good hour away, but it does have some claim on your time. It”s certainly in the picturesque category with its stone fruit plantations and its heritage signposts. The Heritage Museum is worth a visit, particularly for its excellent photographic display. It”s open only on Sunday afternoons
The end of the peanut growing led to the end of the town, and the farmers started growing a crop that is medicinal….used for stomach pains….
Sunrise Today... 
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