Alternative NameKin Kin Country Life HotelCountry Life HotelDescription
The Kin Kin Hotel was designed by Cooroy architect, William David Fenwick, and opened in November 1915 under licensee, Mr W. Rohan. Upon its opening, the Kin Kin Hotel was described as “an imposing two-storeyed structure, an ornamental addition to the existing town buildings and a hotel that has few equals on the North Coast Line.” It has remained in continuous use since that time.
In 1971, a tornado caused considerable damage in Kin Kin, but the hotel withstood it, requiring reconstruction of the roof, verandahs, and front gable. In 1974, a new beer garden and garages
were added. On April 4, 2009, the town experienced record flooding from Kin Kin Creek, inundating the then Country Life Hotel, with three meters of water. Substantial renovations, including rebuilding the corner verandah, were undertaken in 2023.
In 1911, Kin Kin had a population of 236 with the only businesses being a general store and a butcher’s shop. Contemporary reports record multiple attempts by Rohan to gain a licence for a new hotel in Kin Kin, to provide accommodation for commercial travellers. The majority of residents at that time opposed it. Once approved the licensee, W Rohan relocated his store from its corner position to a new site towards the butter factory in order to provide a corner allotment for the erection of a hotel.
Architect William Fenwick worked as an architect in Cooroy from 1915-1917. He was associated with the design of a number of local and regional buildings, including the Cooroy School of Arts, Eumundi School of Arts, the Imperial Hotel in Eumundi, Railway Hotel in Imbil and Kilkivan Hotel. The hotels stylistically, and in their timber detailing, are similar to the Kin Kin Hotel.
The hotel has provided the venue for numerous community activities; meetings, events such as the annual Great Kin Kin Horse Race, and the entertainment of visiting dignitaries, inspectors and commercial travellers. Newspaper reports covering thefts, shootings, and licensing disagreements, centred around the hotel indicating the significant role it has played in the civic life of Kin Kin.Address69,Cnr Main Street and Old Wahpunga Road,Kin Kin
