A working cattle property could become home to eight eco-style tourist cabins under plans lodged with Sunshine Coast Council.
The development application, submitted on May 29, seeks approval for short-term accommodation across three rural lots, while retaining agricultural use across most of the site.
If approved, the proposal would result in eight self-contained “eco accommodation” cabins and a two-storey manager’s residence on a 20.17-hectare portion of a larger 40-hectare rural landholding.
The site is located at 41, 95 and 97 Walli Mountain Road, about four kilometres from Kenilworth.
Planning documents refer to the project as Found Farm Kenilworth and illustrate two groups each containing four cabins connected by a low-speed internal driveway.
Each cabin would contain a studio-style room, bathroom, limited self-catering facilities and balcony. A dedicated parking space would be provided for each.
The farmhouse-style manager’s residence would be built to the south-east of the accommodation precinct.
The application also includes new fencing, landscaping, access infrastructure and on-site wastewater disposal areas.
The landscape plans show avenue tree planting along the entry driveway, screening vegetation around guest areas, retained mature trees, formed pathways and a communal firepit with seating.
The development would require a boundary realignment between the three existing lots.
Under the plans, Lot 3 at 41 Walli Mountain Road would be adjusted from 20.18ha to 20.17ha, Lot 4 at 97 Walli Mountain Road would reduce from 18.09ha to 16.515ha and Lot 5 at 95 Walli Mountain Road would increase from 1.991ha to 4.466ha.
A new access easement would also be created over proposed Lot 5, providing dedicated access to the accommodation lot, which currently does not have its own direct entry from Walli Mountain Road.
According to the town planning report prepared by Urban Strategies on behalf of Walli Projects Pty Ltd, the land has a long history of agricultural use.
“The subject site is currently used for rural production activities predominantly in the form of grazing and the associated operation of the Mary Valley Dairy depot, with associated residential uses for the landowners/managers,” the report stated.
“It is understood that the land has been used for grazing purposes from the time of European settlement of the locality.”
Planning documents state the short-term accommodation would operate within a fenced area, with grazing to continue around it.
“The proposed development is eco-cabin accommodation that focuses on the natural beauty of the rolling hills and local rural activities/attractions,” the report stated.
“The remainder of the land outside the proposed development fence line (being approximately two metres off the cabins) will continue to be used for the agistment of cattle.
“The proposed short-term accommodation is considered compatible use within the rural setting that will support tourism in the region without compromising the use of the land for rural activities.”
The application comes amid continued growth in agritourism across Australia.
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Queensland accounted for about one in seven agritourism trips nationally, according to the Australian Government’s Agritourism in Australia Report 2025. The state also had the highest proportion of on-farm agritourism experiences in the country, at 67 per cent.
The report found trips involving agritourism recorded growth in visitor numbers, overnight stays and spending during 2024, with participating travellers spending more per trip and per night than the average Australian visitor.
The application is code assessable and will be determined by Sunshine Coast Council.
