In the 1840s, Owanyilla was known as Coopers Plain and Police Camp. Owanyilla was used as a barracks for the
Native Police from 1857 until the mid-1860s. The reserve was a two farm wide strip on the eastern bank of the Mary River, with the northern limit being the junction of Graham's Creek with the Mary and the southern boundary, Myrtle Creek, and included Coopers Plain. The town site was gazetted in early 1865. In 1869 a Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built. Nearby was a brewery owned by Mr. Biddle. It was well-known throughout the district as the source of the famous Owanyilla ale and porter. Mr. Muir, of the hotel, was also postmaster, and the Gympie coach stopped to breakfast and change horses there. Owanyilla was the first stop on the road south of Maryborough. It closed in 1937 due to low student numbers. A teacher's residence existed in 1890. The school was on the eastern side of Old Gympie Road (approx ). == Demographics ==