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Maleny, Queensland - Fantastic Food, Forests and Hinterland Views
- Wander * Explore * Discover
- Apr 6, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
Maleny, Queensland - Fantastic Food, Forests and Hinterland Views
Perched high in the Blackall Ranges, Maleny is one of those places that instantly encourages you to slow down. Just 95 kilometres north of Brisbane, this charming Sunshine Coast hinterland town is surrounded by rolling green hills, dairy farms and pockets of rainforest, all framed by sweeping mountain views. From artisan food and waterfalls to rainforest walks and scenic lookouts, Maleny delivers a perfect blend of indulgence and nature in one beautifully relaxed day.
The highlights of our visit to Maleny were exploring the town centre, including the Maleny Chocolate Shop and Maleny Food Co., discovering the Maleny Cheese Factory, Gardners Falls, the Maleny Botanic Garden, and Birdworld. We enjoyed wandering through the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, the views from Gerrard's Lookout and looking for platypus on the Maleny walk. We also visited Baroon Pocket Dam and took a short walk to the Obi Obi Creek.
Wandering the Heart of Town
Maleny’s town centre is compact, creative and full of character. As we wandered along the main street, we popped into cafés, bookshops, boutiques and local stores, each one adding to the town’s friendly, village-like feel. It’s the kind of place where browsing is encouraged and time seems to stretch just a little longer than planned.
Tucked just behind the main street, down the Rainforest Plaza stairs, we discovered Maleny Chocolate. Watching handcrafted chocolates being made was a highlight, followed by the very enjoyable task of sampling a few. From rich dark chocolate infused with native Australian ingredients to creamy milk chocolate with honeycomb and caramel, it was hard to leave without a bag (or two).
Right in the middle of Maple Street, Maleny Food Co. drew us in with the promise of good coffee and even better food. Known for its award-winning gelato and well-stocked fromagerie, it’s a fantastic place to taste gourmet cheeses and local produce from across the region.
Cheese, Countryside and a Cow Couch
Just five kilometres from town, the Maleny Cheese Factory is a must-visit for food lovers. Made using high-quality milk sourced from nearby hinterland farms, the cheeses and yoghurts here are exceptional. We enjoyed seeing where the cheese is made, browsing the shop and settling in with a cheese platter, coffee and cake — all while relaxing on the famous cow couch.
A short drive from town brought us to Gardners Falls, a much-loved local swimming spot. An easy 300-metre walk through lush forest leads to two small waterfalls and waterholes along Obi Obi Creek. The main waterfall drops around five metres into a deep, clear pool, and it’s easy to see why this spot is so popular on warm days. It’s peaceful, refreshing and wonderfully natural.
Birds, Gardens and Mountain Views
On the outskirts of town, Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World offer a beautifully curated experience. The privately owned gardens are stunning, but the real highlight is the series of huge aviaries filled with local and exotic birds. We joined the Bird Tour, wandered through the gardens, hand-fed the miniature animals and finished with a cheese box overlooking the Glass House Mountains. This was a highlight of our visit to Maleny.
Into the Rainforest at Mary Cairncross
The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is one of Maleny’s most peaceful and rewarding stops. This 55-hectare pocket of subtropical rainforest is rich in plant and animal life and offers stunning views across to the Glasshouse Mountains.
After visiting the Discovery Centre, with its interactive displays, we wandered along the flat rainforest walk. Boardwalks and bridges guided us beneath towering trees, past fascinating fungi and even a few shy pademelons. We finished our visit with coffee and scones at the café, soaking up those iconic mountain views.
Lookouts, Trails and Quiet Moments
For one of the best panoramas in the area, we drove to Gerrard’s Lookout, about nine kilometres from Maleny along the Maleny–Montville Road. From here, the views stretch east toward the coast, with a silver plaque pointing out distances to places like Noosa, Bribie Island and Mooloolaba. A fence lined with padlocks adds a quirky, personal touch.
Back in town, we joined the Maleny Trail at the Showgrounds and followed the Obi Obi Trail into Maleny. Information boards and giant trees line the way, making the walk as interesting as it is scenic. We continued along the boardwalk to the platypus viewing platform, passing the Peace in the Trees sculptures, a thoughtful collection of sandstone artworks exploring themes of peace. We didn’t spot a platypus, but watching turtles glide through the water was still a lovely reward.
Water, Forest and Obi Obi Creek
Baroon Pocket Dam is nestled between Maleny and Montville. Built across Obi Obi Creek, the dam supplies water to the Sunshine Coast and, when full, holds 61,000 megalitres. The northern day-use area is well set up with picnic huts, BBQs, toilets and a swimming area.
Nearby, we followed a 500-metre bush track down to Obi Obi Creek, enjoying one last quiet wander through the forest before heading back.
Why Maleny Is So Easy to Love
Maleny has a way of drawing you in with good food, gentle walks and views that make you pause and breathe a little deeper. From chocolate shops and cheese factories to waterfalls, rainforests and scenic lookouts, it offers a beautifully balanced hinterland escape.
Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying longer, Maleny leaves you feeling refreshed, well-fed and quietly inspired.
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