Montville, Queensland:Village Charm, Rainforest Walks & Hinterland Views

Wander * Explore * Discover
Jan 18, 2024
3 min read

Updated: 14 hours ago

Montville, Queensland:Village Charm, Rainforest Walks & Hinterland Views

Perched high in the Blackall Ranges, Montville is one of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s most enchanting villages. Just 90 kilometres north of Brisbane, this storybook town blends sweeping coastal views with heritage buildings, cosy cafés, creative boutiques, and easy access to waterfalls, rainforest walks, and tranquil dams. It’s the kind of place where you arrive for a stroll and linger far longer than planned.

When we visited Montville, we wandered along the main street, explored the unique shops, and enjoyed coffee and sweets at Priscillas Gallery. We hiked to Kondalilla Falls, discovered Baroon Pocket Dam, and walked down to Obi Obi Creek.

A Village in the Clouds

Montville was first settled in 1887, and its leafy main street still reflects its early European influence. Tudor and English-style buildings line the road, complete with timber details, stonework, and even an old mill waterwheel that adds to the village’s old-world charm. As you wander, there’s a relaxed pace to Montville — one that invites slow browsing, long coffees, and plenty of photo stops.

Coffee, Sweets & Boutique Browsing

A highlight of our time in Montville was Priscilla’s Gallery, a cosy café and gallery showcasing locally sourced art, crafts, and produce. We settled in with coffee and something sweet, soaking up the warm, creative atmosphere.

Sweet treats are a theme in Montville. At the Chocolate Country, you’ll find an impressive selection of handcrafted Belgian chocolates made onsite, along with rich hot chocolates and coffee.

Nearby, Fudgyboombahs tempts visitors with rows of colourful fudge flavours, lollies, and nuts — hard to walk past without sampling something.

Clocks, Crystals & Quirky Finds

Montville’s shops are delightfully eclectic. The Montville Clock Shop, established in 1993, is housed in a German chalet-style building and features an extensive collection of cuckoo clocks, grandfather clocks, watches, and traditional German items.

At Crystal Multiverse, shelves are filled with crystals, minerals, fossils, and unique gifts. Out the front, a giant koala and dinosaur make for a fun photo stop that’s hard to miss.

Montville Memorial Precinct

A short walk from the main street brings you to the Montville Memorial Precinct, where several important heritage buildings sit among peaceful gardens.

Here you’ll find the Montville Village Hall, St Mary’s Church, and the Church Hall — simple yet beautiful reminders of the town’s long-standing community spirit.

Waterfalls & Rainforest Walks at Kondalilla

Just a short drive from Montville lies Kondalilla Falls, one of the hinterland’s standout natural attractions. We followed the 1.7-kilometre walking track to the Kondalilla Falls viewing platform, passing Picnic Creek Falls, a charming little waterfall viewed from a bridge over the creek.

From the Obi Valley Lookout, there are stunning views stretching across the forested valley. A short detour leads to the Rockpools, a popular swimming spot on warm days.

Continue on to the lookout and you can admire Kondalilla Falls, an impressive 80-metre waterfall where Skene Creek plunges dramatically into the rainforest valley below.

Baroon Pocket Dam & Obi Obi Creek

Between Montville and Maleny is Baroon Pocket Dam, also known as Lake Baroon. Built across Obi Obi Creek, the dam supplies water to the Sunshine Coast and, when full, holds up to 61,000 megalitres.

The northern recreational area includes picnic shelters, BBQs, toilets, and a designated swimming area — perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

Just before the dam entrance, a car park provides access to more tracks within Kondalilla National Park. We followed the 500-metre path down through beautiful bushland to Obi Obi Creek, a quiet and scenic spot that feels a world away from the village.

Why Montville Is a Hinterland Favourite

Montville effortlessly combines village charm with easy access to some of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s best nature experiences. Whether you’re sipping coffee in a gallery café, browsing quirky boutiques, hiking to waterfalls, or relaxing beside a peaceful creek, Montville invites you to slow down and savour the moment.

If you’re exploring the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Montville is a must-visit, it's a place where charm, creativity, and nature come together beautifully.