The nearby Montville lookout

Maleny Qld 4552 (Pop 2 400)
Pic: by Bidgee

Maleny is a charming Sunshine Coast township on the southern edge of the Blackall Range 90 km north of Brisbane. It is reached by a steep road from the coast and its location affords superb coastal and Glass House Mountains views. Original inhabitants were the Bonyi Bonyi Aboriginals and European settlement began in 1870s. Today macadamia nuts, dairy farming and fruit growing sustain Maleny's economy together with tourism. Maleny markets each Sun. Autumn Flower Show (Mar), Chainsaw to Fine Furniture Expo (May), Spring Fair & Flower Show (Sept), Scarecrow Festival (Sept), Opera in the Rainforest (Oct), Festival of Colour (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Countless art galleries, studios & specialty shops. Maleny Light Horse Museum, Bunya St has fine military displays, memorabilia and photographs. Open (8.30am-11am) Sun.  

Nearby:
Mary Cairncross Reserve (7 km s-e) stunning 52 ha natural rainforest park containing an immense variety of native fauna & flora and many walking trails. Howells Knob Lookout (3 km west) excellent panoramic views from a height of 561 m. Lake Baroon/Baroon Pocket Dam (8 km north) 380 ha reserve providing water for Caloundra and Maroochydore and recreational water activities for locals and tourists. The lake is surrounded by the picturesque Obi Obi NP. Kondalilla NP (21 km north) incorporates 327 ha of lush subtropical rainforest and tall forests with the KondalillaFalls (90 m) being the main attraction. Walks here include Picnic Creek Circuit (2.1 km) and Kondalilla Falls Circuit Walk (a strenuous 4.8 km return walk). Montville (16 km n-e) European-styled mountain village with many cafes, quaint cottages and even Swiss chalets. Flaxton (19 km n-e) very pretty BlackallRange village surrounded by avocado orchards and a number of galleries, cafes and specialty shops. Mapleton (24 km north) for arts & crafts and attractive lily ponds. Mapleton Falls NP (26 ha) impressive 120 m MapletonFalls, Bunya Pine forests and varied fauna & flora. Mapleton State Forest (north-west) covers 11 000 ha with many lovely walks including Pilularis Walk (400 m), Pooles Dam Walk and Piccabeen Palm Groves Walk (200 m).

Accommodation:
Maleny has a variety of motels, hotels, resorts, half a dozen cabins/chalets, many B&B’s and two caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 25 Maple St. Tel (07) 5499 9033.