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A Day at Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World -Birds, Gardens and Mountain Views
- Wander * Explore * Discover
- Mar 11, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
A Day at Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World -Birds, Gardens and Mountain Views
Spending a day at Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World feels like stepping into a colourful world where nature takes centre stage. Set just outside Maleny township in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, this privately owned sanctuary combines beautifully landscaped gardens with immersive bird encounters, all framed by sweeping views of the Glass House Mountains. From curious parrots landing on shoulders to quiet moments overlooking the mountains, our day here was equal parts joyful, surprising and wonderfully relaxed.
Arriving at the Gardens
We arrived mid-morning and were immediately struck by the sense of space. Spread across more than 23 acres, the gardens unfold across a sloping hillside, with layered terraces that reveal lakes, bridges and waterfalls as you wander. Open daily from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm, the gardens are easy to explore at your own pace, and it’s worth allowing plenty of time to simply stroll, pause and take in the views.
Bird World - Walking in the Aviaries
One of the highlights of the day was joining the Bird World interactive tour. To visit the aviaries, you book a guided experience that runs for around 50 minutes, and it’s an experience unlike any other.
Bird World opened in November 2013 and now features five walk-through aviaries home to more than 700 native and exotic birds from around the world.
As we wandered through each aviary, our guide shared stories about the birds’ personalities, behaviours and rescue backgrounds. Many of the birds come from rescue situations or deceased estates and have been hand-raised, which makes them incredibly confident around people. We quickly learned to expect the unexpected — birds landing on shoulders, perching on heads and even attempting to investigate buttons and jewellery. It’s interactive, entertaining and genuinely unforgettable.
Exploring the Terraced Gardens
After the bird tour, we took our time exploring the gardens. With more than six kilometres of walking paths, the landscaped grounds guide you through themed sections filled with flowering plants, calm water features and quiet corners to sit and reflect. Everywhere you turn, there are framed views back to the Glass House Mountains, creating a constant sense of connection to the surrounding landscape.
The gardens themselves are a labour of love. Work began on the site in 2005, and the gardens were opened to the public in 2012. That care and attention is obvious, from the thoughtful layout to the way each section flows naturally into the next.
Meeting the Miniature Farm Animals
One of the most charming parts of our visit was spending time in the miniature farm animal area. With specially prepared food available from the gift shop, we fed Mediterranean miniature donkeys, miniature goats, baby-doll sheep, miniature pigs and chickens. It’s a hands-on experience that adds another layer of fun, especially for animal lovers of all ages.
Cheese, Cold Drinks and a Perfect View
In the afternoon we found a gazebo overlooking the Glass House Mountains and settled in with a cheese box and cold drinks from the café. Sitting there, surrounded by birdsong and sweeping hinterland views, felt like the perfect way to end the day — unhurried, peaceful and quietly memorable.
Why Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World is Special
Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World offers more than just beautiful gardens or a chance to see birds up close. It’s an experience that invites you to connect — with nature, with rescued wildlife and with the landscape itself.
From interactive aviaries and terraced gardens to miniature animals and mountain views, it’s a place that leaves you smiling long after you’ve left. If you’re exploring the Maleny hinterland, this is one day out you won’t want to miss.
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