The town is a hub for recreational activities related to nearby Lake Cootharaba and the Great Sandy National Park.

The banana industry boomed in the years after World War 1, but experienced a significant decline in the 1930s as prices fell.

Beans and Zucchini were major crops for many years, but smallcropping declined from the 1980s and is now undertaken on a limited basis.

[citation needed] The family of William Douglas Francis, one of Queensland's pioneering botanists, moved to the area circa 1906.

The building as a whole was 50 by 28 feet (15.2 by 8.5 m) with a small stage, furnished with a piano by Mr. Sedgeman of Gympie.

The original school was shifted and later demolished to make way for a new building which officially opened on 7 April 1962.

[25] On 17 February 1924, a severe storm caused substantial damage to the School of Arts hall which was reconstructed by July.

[27] On 19 November 1926, St Luke's Anglican Church was dedicated by Archbishop Gerald Sharp.

[32][33] On the morning of 22 September 1932, a severe thunderstorm produced a tornado estimated at 100 yards (91m) wide which travelled from the Cooran tablelands through the Sister Tree, Wahpunga, Eulama, and Cootharaba districts before crossing Lake Doonella and going out to sea.

While no injuries were reported, many trees and crops were affected and a number of buildings damaged or destroyed.

[34][35] A severe hailstorm on the afternoon of 10 October 1933 dumped 6 inches (152mm) of rain in 20 minutes causing flash flooding, and left drifts of hail up to 3 feet (91 cm) deep.

Extensive damage was reported to businesses in the main street, and to banana plantations, small crops, and buildings in surrounding areas.

[4] Deregulation of the milk industry led to the exit of all but a handful of family dairy farms.

On 14 August 1971, a tornado passed through the town killing Mr and Mrs WHT Fleet of Moran Group, and 13 month old Deborah Joy Lister of Wahpunga.

[37][38] From 1980 the "Great Kin Kin Horse Race" and associated Carnival was held annually on a hilly 3 km course over the southern end of the Wahpunga Range, starting and finishing at the showgrounds behind the Country Life Hotel.

After peaking in popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the race was eventually discontinued, with the last Carnival being held in 2004.

[40] A hail storm and associated tornado hit on 28 February 1985, destroying the Butter Factory and causing widespread property damage, including to St Luke's Anglican Church (rebuilt) and St Mary's Catholic Church (not rebuilt).

78 year old local resident Margarida Jackson died after her car was swept off a bridge over the Kin Kin Creek West Branch, the Country Life Hotel on Main Street was inundated with 3m of water and there was widespread property damage and loss of livestock.