The verdant hinterland around Maleny

Maleny (including Flaxton, Mapleton and Montville)
Major township in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Located 90 km north of Brisbane and 436 m above sea-level, Maleny is a charming little unspoilt township of 4700 people on the southern edge of the Blackall Range, affording views over the coast and the Glass House Mountains.

The area was once occupied by the Bonyi Bonyi people (other sources say the Gubbi Gubbi or even the Kabi Kabi people), who once gathered at Baroon Pocket, on the banks of the Obi Obi River, to feast on Bunya nuts.

The beautiful rainforest that once covered the Blackall Range was also a treasure to the local white people, albeit a more economic one. Evidence of the area's reliance on timbergetting is evident in the naming scheme chosen for Maleny's streets, including Maple, Myrtle, Cedar, while Macadamia Drive reflects the local cultivation of that much valued nut, otherwise known, north of the border, as the Queensland Nut. Dairy farming (predominantly with fresians) is also important to the local economy, along with fruit cultivation and small crops. In recent years the beauty of the district has attracted a profusion of sculptors, painters, craftspeople, potters, writers and musicians, and the area now has a number of galleries which contribute to the local economy.

As far as can be determined the first European in the Maleny area was Ludwig Leichhardt who seemed to be describing the Blackall Ranges when he wrote a letter in 1844 which said: 'There is a little valley, an open plain, in the midst of these brushes which cover perhaps, an extent of 50 miles long and 10 miles broad. This plain they call Booroon and it seems the rendezvous for fights between the hostile tribes who come from near and far to enjoy the harvest of the Bunya'.

Timber-getters moved into the area. By the early 1870s there was a blacksmith, a number of teamsters and a timber mill. A settlement was beginning to form. The first selection of land at the present site of Maleny was made by Isaac Burgess on 13 November 1878. Slowly the land was cleared and dairy and beef cattle were brought into the area to feed on the rich grasses which were produced by a generous annual rainfall (2056 mm) which soaked the rich red volcanic soils of the range. No one knows exactly where the town's name came from but it is likely that it is a misspelt version of a tiny Scottish hamlet named Malleny.

There can be little doubt that the Blackall Range constitutes one of the most interesting and dramatic mountain terrains in Queensland. Th road rises sharply behind Nambour and winds its way across the range to Maleny and Landsborough. To the south it runs along the ridges allowing visitors the rare spectacle of rolling mountains and valleys to the west and the coastal plain and Pacific Ocean to the east.

The area has a number of towns, a series of small national parks (all protecting areas of rainforest), literally dozens of holiday locations (mainly guest houses and leisure resorts) and hundreds of specialty shops selling crafts, antiques and gifts.

The museum at Landsborough has a number of books on the history of the region, including By Obi Obi Waters: Maleny 1878-1978 and Recollection of the Early Days in Maleny, both of which have interesting early photographs of the area.

May sees the Maleny Arts and Crafts Fair held at the Maleny Community Centre and the Mapleton Craft Show at the Mapleton Hall. June is time for the Caloundra City Show (in the Maleny Showgrounds), the Maleny Art Awards and Exhibitions, and the Spring into Summer Festival. July witnesses the Montville Camellia Festival, while the Maleny Scarecrow Carnival and the Maleny Spring Fair are both held in September, Opera in the Rainforest in October and the Maleny Festival of Colour in November.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
The Maleny Visitor Information Centre can be contacted on (07) 5499 9033 or go to www.tourmaleny.com.au. The Montville Visitor Information Centre's number is (07) 5478 5544.

Maleny Light Horse Museum
The museum commemorates the traditions and skills of the Queensland Mounted Infantry (which were part of the Queensland Police Force) and the Australian Light Horse, a military force noted for its contribution to the Boer War and World War I. During the Boer War (1899-1902) they scouted, and they skirmished and fought dismounted, utilising their mobility to their advantage.

After Federation, General Sir Edward Sutton converted the old mounted militia to Light Horse, equipping them with rifles and bayonets. Regarded with some prestige, they fought as infantry at Gallipoli and later formed the core of the Australian Mounted Division and the Desert Mounted Corps which fought as mobile infantry throughout the desert war, leading the defence of Egypt and the British thrust into Syria and Palestine.

The Light Horse were recruited from rural volunteers, skilled with horses, independently resourceful and able to make their way across a desert at night, by navigating from the stars. The Light Horse is signified by an emu passant, an emu feather worn in the hat and the motto 'Forward' (an emu cannot walk backwards).

The museum promotes the mounted infantry's historical achievements and preserves memorabilia associated with the Light Horse, such as uniforms, weapons and equipment, photographs, records, documents and diaries.

It is located on the mezzanine floor, at the front of the Maleny RSL Sub-Branch Hall, directly opposite the Maleny Hotel in Bunya St. It is open on Sundays from 8.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and every Australia Day, Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, or by appointment, tel: (07) 5494 3089.

Maleny Mountain Wines
Located at 787 Landsborough-Maleny Rd, this family-owned winery produces Italian-style wines. There is a cellar door, winery tours at 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. (or by appointment), home-made breads and local cheeses to try with your wine, barbecue facilities and fine views. They can be contacted on (07) 5429 6300 or fax: (07) 5429 6331.

Maleny Handicrafts Market
The local handicrafts market is held every Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. at the community hall.

Galleries, Studios and Specialty Shops
Maleny, and the surrounding townships, have a profusion of outlets for arts, crafts and other 'alternative lifestyle' products and services. The Book Farm (see www.greaterglider.com/bookfarm) is an 'educational eco-tourism centre', consisting of 6 acres of rainforest and 50 acres of rolling green hills. The home of children's author, Jill Morris, and of Greater Glider Productions, it is also a retreat for groups (notably school groups), aimed at encouraging communion with nature and inspiring writers. Workshops, seminars and consultancy are available for adult writers. It is located at 330 Reesville Rd, Maleny, tel: (07) 5494 3000 .

Valley View Woodwork use red cedar, silky oak, blackwood, beech, camphor laurel and red gum burls to manufacture hand-made home and office furniture. They also have paintings, silks, jewellery, glasswork, pottery, luxury on-site accommodation and a teahouse. The workshop is located at 290 Maleny-Kenilworth Tourist Drive, at Witta, 7 km from Maleny and they are open every day except Tuesday, tel: (07) 5494 4222 or fax: (07) 5494 4110, or email: info@vvwoodwork.com.au. The website is www.vvwoodwork.com.au

Glasshouse Pottery is at 15 Bunya St (opposite the primary school), tel: (07) 5499 9666. Bold in Gold jewellery and fine arts is located in the Rainforest Plaza at 43 Maple St and is open daily, tel: (07) 5499 9299. Other crafts shops in Maleny are Maleny Arts Awards & Exhibition (tel: 07 5494 4266), Maleny Arts and Craft Group Inc (tel: 07 5494 3394), Maleny Art Gallery (tel: 07 5499 9144), Maleny Touch Wood (tel: 07 5499 9166), and Steephill Studio 07 5494 2369 .

Peace of Green is at 38 Maple St and is open daily (tel: 07 5499 9311) and Wild at Heart Emporium and Nursery is at1 Maple St, tel: (07) 5494 3373.

About 5 km east of Maleny is the intersection of the Landsborough-Maleny Road and Mountain View Rd. This is known as Cairncross Corner. Here is located Caraffi's Cairncross Art Gallery which is open every day except Monday, tel: (07) 5429 6404.

Mary Cairncross Reserve
About 5 km east of Maleny is the intersection of the Landsborough-Maleny Road and Mountain View Rd. If visitors head west along Mountain View Rd they will soon come across Mary Cairncross Reserve which preserves 52 hectares of the natural rainforest which once covered the Blackall Range. It contains a remarkable array of native fauna and flora, including the pygmy mouse, bats, bush rats, possums, pademelons, wallabies, gliders, bandicoots, echidnae, geckos, goannas, skinks, bearded dragons, pythons and a plenitude of bird species such as brush turkeys, willie wagtails, the black-faced flycatcher, the eastern whipbird, the satin bowerbird, kookaburras, parrots, rosellas, owls, currawongs, pigeons, lorikeets, kestrels, kites, goshawks and the rifle bird. The holes which can be seen in the ground have probably been dug by spiders, giant earthworms, pademelons or bandicoots.

Flora includes 107 tree species, 30 herb species, 26 shrub species, 50 vine species, 50 ferns/epiphytes, over 20 fungi, plus palm lillies, palms, orchids, lichen and mosses. A large, hollow strangler fig is 400-500 years old and there are two rose gums aged 350-400 years.

The Reserve is scored by 1.7 km of wheelchair-friendly walking trails, complete with tree identification tags. There are picnic tables, barbecue facilities, a children's playground, toilets, a kiosk, a ranger in attendance and, at the entrance, the Thynne Natural History Education Centre, which is staffed by well-informed volunteers. It is open daily and guided walks can be arranged.

It was donated by the daughters of Mary Cairncross, in memory of their mother. Mary was a 19th-century conservationist who fought to protect important natural areas from development and destrucion. She married A.J. Thynne, the future Minister For Agriculture, who served as an advisor to the Maleny Dairy Co-Operative, established in 1903.

Howells Knob Lookout
Howells Knob Lookout is one of the best lookouts in the Blackall Ranges, being located at one of its highest points (561 metres). It offers excellent panoramic views of the area, taking in the Glass House Mountains, the coastline, Moreton Island and Bribie Island. To get there head west of Maleny along the Maleny-Kenilworth Rd for about 2 km. At the intersection with Reeseville Rd follow the latter for about one more kilometre until arriving at the turnoff, on the left.

Another regional lookout is the Obi Valley Lookout, located to the north of Maleny via the Maleny-Kenilworth Rd and Curramore Rd.

Lake Baroon/Baroon Pocket Dam
Lake Baroon, completed in 1989, covers 380 ha. It is the principal source of water for Caloundra and Maroochydore. It is a popular scenic location used for recreational purposes such as swimming, fishing, sailing and canoeing. Near the spillway are a viewing platform, barbecues and toilets. From the car park below the spillway, visitors can join a 2.4-km walking circuit through cool rainorest environs and Obi Obi Gorge. Obi Obi Creek eventually flows into the Mary River near Kenilworth. Lake Baroon is surrounded by Obi Obi National Park. Reflections on Lake Baroon hire canoes, paddle skis, aqua bikes, catamarans, sailboats, small yachts and fishing boats. They have a lakeside kiosk which sells Devonshire teas, light lunches and cappuccinos, tel: (07) 5499 9333.

Access from Maleny is via North Maleny Rd which leads to Baroon Pocket Rd. The dam wall and spillway can be accessed by taking Western Ave out of Montville. This leads to a turnoff on the left which leads directly to the dam.

Montville
The 11-km Maleny-Montville Rd heads north off the Landsborough-Maleny Rd from a point 4 km east of Maleny. Montville is a town which emphasises history. It is not possible to say that it emphasises ITS history, as the history to which it refers is largely a marketing concept. Because Montville is a small settlement, beautifully situated on the Blackall Range, and thus offering exceptional views, the idea has obviously occurred, to those responsible for such things, to promote Montville as a kind of European mountain village, complete with quaint ye-olde cottages, mock Tudor trappings, the sort of water-wheel one associates with a tale such as The Mill on the Floss, and even Swiss and Bavarian chalets for good measure. This retro-nostalgia goes so far as to disingenuously promote such recent constructions as 'historic' buildings.

Its tilt at the tourist trade is evident in the remarkable proliferation of arts and crafts galleries, gift and specialty shops, tea rooms, restaurants and cafes.

Senses Trail/Razorback Lookout
A Senses Trail commences at the amenities block in front of the Village Hall. It leads across the pedestrian bridge and around Razorback Lookout.

A craft and glass blowing studio at Montville, near Maleny

Settlers Rise Vineyard and Winery
Located at 249 Western Avenue, Montville, the award-winning Settlers Rise Winery is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. nearly every day of the year. They produce a sauvignon blanc/semillon/chardonnay, a straight chardonnay, verdelho, cabernet/merlot, shiraz and tawny port, tel: (07) 5478 5558, or fax: (07) 5478 5655, or email: settlersrise@bigpond.com

Kondalilla National Park
Western Ave offers access to both Lake Baroon (see previous entry) and Kondalilla National Park, which incorporates 327 hectares of lush subtropical rainforest and tall open forest on the western edge of the range. The most popular attraction therein is Kondalilla Falls which drops 90 metres from Skene Creek into some picturesque water pools below. The latter make for some ideal swimming in the summer. Picnicking is popular. There is no fresh water available in the park but facilities include a parking area, picnic facilities, barbecues, shelter sheds, toilets, a lookout and three walking trails which start in the picnic area west of the car park.

There is a 400-metre walk (one way) through open forest to Picnic Creek, the Picnic Creek Circuit (2.1 km) which takes in a lookout over a rainforest valley from the top of Kondalilla Falls, and the Kondalilla Falls Circuit Walk which winds down from the aforementioned lookout to the base of the falls. The latter walk is 2.7 km from the top of the falls or a strenuous 4.8-km return trip from the picnic area.

The Park is home to the Bunya Pine, which drops cones weighing up to 10 kg, containing large nuts on which the local Gubbi Gubbi people once fed. Fauna includes the rare spotted tailed quoll, the peregrine falcon, the red goshawk and many reptiles and frogs.

Kondalilla is very popular in summer and can become quite crowded at this time. Summer is also a time of hot weather (be sure to bring and to carry fresh water as creek water is polluted) and heavy rains, making rock-pool swims popular and the falls more spectacular, although the rains also entice the leeches to emerge and can cause flash flooding, so watch those pedestrian bridges and don't attempt to cross them if water is flowing over them.

The park turnoff is located 4 km north of Montville and is clearly signposted on the left. For more information ring (07) 5494 3983.

Flaxton
The Montville-Mapleton Rd heads north from Montville, taking in Flaxton along the way. Flaxton is probably the prettiest of all the Blackall Range settlements. It manages to achieve a balance between the old and the new, lacking the crassness of Montville or the ordinariness of Maleny. It has a golf course, a lot of mountain accommodation and some rather beautiful arts and crafts places. It seems new but it also has a little style.

Flaxton Barn and Model Railway
The Flaxton Barn and Model Railway is a miniature railway display based on similar constructions in Germany and Switzerland. It is about nine metres by seven metres in size, utilizing over two kilometres of wire with100 metres of track, over 600 human figures and 150 buildings. The German-style landscape is made of plaster, chicken wire, polystyrene foam and paper towel. The trains are based on actual German trains c.1912 to the present and are 1/87th actual size. There are sound and lighting features, books and crafts for sale, and visitors can enjoy beverages and light refreshments. The display is located at 445 Flaxton Drive and is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily. Entrance fees, as of October 1, 2002, were $2.50 per adult, $1.50 for children , $6.50 for a family and $1.50 per person in a group, tel: (07) 5445 7321.

Mapleton and Mapleton Falls National Park
North of Flaxton is Mapleton, an arts-and-crafts centre at the northern end of the Blackall Range. Its chief attractions are the lily ponds, officially opened in 1988, which lie behind the main shopping centre and which provide an ideal picnic environment for visitors, with electric barbecues and a children's playground.

Equally impressive are the Mapleton Falls in Mapleton Falls National Park which tumble 120 metres down the escarpment from Pencil Creek. They are located a few kilometres from the village centre on Obi Obi Road (turn south near the Mapleton Hotel Motel).The park is quite small (25.9 hectares) but the lookout from the falls (which tumble from Pencil Creek down the cliff face rather than falling sheer) offers excellent views over the valley, which is covered with the kind of dense rainforest and wet eucalypt environs which once fully adorned the Blackall Range. The picnic area above the falls is exceptionally popular and a fine spot for birdwatching and bushwalking. The Wampoo Circuit Walk (1.3 km) takes visitors to the Peregrine Lookout over the Obi Obi Valley.

The Park is home to the Bunya Pine, which drops cones weighing up to 10 kg, containing large nuts on which the local Gubbi Gubbi people once fed. Fauna includes the rare spotted tailed quoll, the peregrine falcon, the red goshawk and many reptiles and frogs.

Park facilities include shelter sheds, toilets and barbecues. The park is very popular in summer and can become quite crowded at this time. Summer is also a time of hot weather (be sure to bring and to carry fresh water as creek water is polluted) and heavy rains, making rock-pool swims popular and the falls more spectacular, although the rains also entice the leeches to emerge and can cause flash flooding, so watch those pedestrian bridges and don't attempt to cross them if water is flowing over them. Camping is not permitted within the park. For more information ring (07) 5494 3983.

Mapleton State Forest
Located to the north-west of Mapleton, the State Forest covers 11,000 hectares and has a number of picnic areas and several short walks. The Pilularis Walk (400 m) passes through wet sclerophyll forest, Pooles Dam Walk leads to the top of a small waterfall and Piccabeen Palm Groves is a 200-metre stroll through a pocket of rainforest.

	Tourist Information
	Maleny Tourism Association Maple St Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5499 9033 Email: info@tourmaleny.com.au
	Montville Tourist Information Centre Main St Montville Maleny QLD 4560 Telephone: (07) 5442 9214
	Motels
	Maleny Hills Montville Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 2551 Rating: ***1/2
	Maleny Loggers Rest Landsborough Maleny Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 2944
	Hotels
	Laurels - Boutique Hotels 33 Maleny-Montville Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 3422 Facsimile: (07) 5494 3005 Email: mail@laurels.com.au
	Maleny Hotel Bunya St Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 2013
	Resorts
	Solothurn Maleny Rural Resort Reesville Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 2438 Rating: ***
	Tranquil Park Resort 152 Mountain View Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 2544
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Hunchy Hideaway 609 Hunchy Rd Hunchy Valley, 4555 Maleny QLD 4560 Telephone: (07) 5478 5470
	Laurels - Boutique Hotels 33 Maleny-Montville Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 3422 Facsimile: (07) 5494 3005 Email: mail@laurels.com.au
	Montague's of Montville 77 Kondalilla Falls Rd Montville Maleny QLD 4560 Telephone: (07) 5445 7854 Facsimile: (07) 5445 7854
	Secrets On the Lake 207 Narrows Rd Montville Maleny QLD 4560 Telephone: (07) 5478 5888 Facsimile: (07) 5478 5166
	Spa Views Luxury Bed & Breakfast 475 Maleny-Kenilworth Tourist Dve Witta Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 4222 Facsimile: (07) 5494 4110
	Taman Sari 226 Obi Obi Rd Mapleton, 4560 Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5478 6868 Facsimile: (07) 5478 6464
	Tanderra House 11 Flaxton Mill Rd Flaxton Maleny QLD 4560 Telephone: (07) 5445 7179 Facsimile: (07) 5445 7090
	The Eyrie (Bald Knob) 316 Brandenburg Rd Mooloolah Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 8242 Rating: *****
	The Spotted Chook Ferme Auberge 176 Western Ave Montville Maleny QLD 4560 Telephone: (07) 5442 9242 Facsimile: (07) 5478 5811
	The Tamarind Obi Lane South Mooloolah Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5429 6922 Facsimile: (07) 5429 6977
	Yabbagai Homestead 201 Aherns Rd Canondale Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5435 0030 Facsimile: (07) 5435 0030
	Cottages & Cabins
	Clouds of Montville 166 Balmoral Rd Montville Maleny QLD 4560 Telephone: (07) 5442 9174 Facsimile: (07) 5442 9485
	Pencil Creek Cottages 64 Johnson Rd Mapleton, 4560 Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5478 6868 Facsimile: (07) 5445 7190
	The Falls Rainforest Cottages 20 Kondalilla Falls Rd Montville Maleny QLD 4560 Telephone: (07) 5445 7000 Facsimile: (07) 5445 7001
	The Narrows Escape 78 Narrows Rd Montville Maleny QLD 4560 Telephone: (07) 5478 5000 Facsimile: (07) 5442 9472
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Mountain View Homestead 193 Mountain View Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5499 9278
	Lodges & Chalets
	Maleny Lodge 58 Maple St Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 2370 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Maleny Palms Tourist Park 23 Macadamia Dve Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 2933 Rating: ***1/2
	Ocean View Caravan Park Landsborough Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 1171 Rating: ***
	Restaurants
	Darcy's 37 Maple St Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 2326
	Figtree Cottage Restaurant 37 Maleny-Montville Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 3269
	Graatz Mexican Restaurant 43 Maple Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5499 9400
	Malcolm's of Maleny 124 Mountain View Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 2825
	Maleny Coach House Landsborough-Maleny Rd Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 2877
	Terrace Seafood Restaurant Cnr Maleny & Landsborough Rds Maleny QLD 4552 Telephone: (07) 5494 3700