Things to Do in Maleny – Discover the Best of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
You don’t just go to Maleny. You feel it.
It sneaks up on you — the way the air shifts, the way time slows. One minute you’re driving through winding hills, and the next you’re pulling over just to look at cows in a paddock because somehow even they seem calmer up here.
Welcome to Maleny. No itinerary needed, but if you’re after a few ideas — this local-style guide will help.
Start With a View That Shuts You Up Mid-Sentence
McCarthy’s Lookout. That’s your first stop. Doesn’t matter how many lookouts you’ve seen — this one grabs you.
The Glass House Mountains sit out there like someone arranged them on purpose. You’ll probably try to take a photo, then realise the photo doesn’t even come close. That’s the kind of view we’re talking about.
Some days, the clouds float below you like a second horizon. Other days, the valley glows in that late afternoon gold. Either way, just… stay a while.
Step into the Rainforest at Mary Cairncross
You’ll find it just out of town — 55 hectares of subtropical rainforest where the birds do more talking than the people.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve isn’t a walk you race through. It’s where you slow down without meaning to. Tree roots cross the track like old veins, sunlight filters through leaves, and somewhere up high, a whipbird calls like it’s got something urgent to say.
If you’ve got kids, they’ll probably spot a pademelon before you do. If you don’t, just pretend you knew what a pademelon was already.
There’s a little café at the top too — sit on the deck with a hot drink and let the view fill your lungs.
Obi Obi Boardwalk to Gardners Falls — Maleny’s Favourite Creekside Meander
The Obi Obi Creek isn’t just a nice name. It’s a thread that runs right through Maleny, and walking beside it makes you feel like you’re part of the place.
The boardwalk is flat, shaded, and friendly to all kinds of walkers — dogs, prams, bare feet. You’ll pass tangled roots, overhanging palms, maybe a water dragon sunbaking on a rock.
Keep going and you’ll hit Gardners Falls — the local’s swimming hole. On hot days, there’s always someone jumping in, shrieking from the shock of it. The water’s cold. Like, proper cold. But you’ll feel amazing after.
The Botanic Gardens Where Birds Might Land on Your Head
Yes, there are gardens — lots of them. Ponds, bridges, waterfalls, gazebos with views that make you forget your phone.
But it’s the birds that steal the show.
The Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World is one of those places that sounds like a tourist trap… until you walk through the aviary and find yourself eye-to-eye with a rainbow lorikeet who has decided you’re now its perch.
Macaws. Parrots. Birds you’ve never heard of but will never forget. Don’t wear anything too fancy — they don’t care.
Try Local Cheese, Ice Cream and a Bit of Food Coma
At some point, you’ll want to eat something. A lot of something. Maleny tends to do that to people.
Start with Maleny Cheese — small factory, big flavour. The tasting plates are modest, but the cheese speaks for itself. Creamy, sharp, earthy — however you like it, they’ve probably nailed it. Grab a wedge (or four) for later.
Then roll down to Maleny Food Co. You’ll smell the waffle cones before you see the queue. This is the place people talk about for weeks after — gelato churned in-house, flavours that swing from classic to what-even-is-that, and every one of them worth a taste. Their cream? Locals swear it’s a different breed.
Eat Like a Local at Maleny Lane
Need a break from boutique cafés? Maleny Lane is your fix.
It’s a tucked-away courtyard off the main street — a little ramshackle, a little wonderful. Food trucks and global flavours bump elbows here: Nepalese dumplings, vegan satay bowls, gourmet burgers with shoestring fries. Someone’s usually strumming guitar under the shade sails.
You might arrive for a snack and end up staying for a second lunch.
Sip Something Cold at Brouhaha or Maleny Mountain Wines
Brouhaha Brewery is what happens when locals get serious about beer. Everything’s brewed fresh onsite, the food menu leans into local produce, and the whole place hums with “we actually care what this tastes like” energy.
The Raspberry Saison gets mentioned a lot. So does the pork belly. Just saying.
Prefer your drinks in a stemmed glass? Maleny Mountain Wines has you covered. Quirky Tudor-style building, warm welcome, and tastings that’ll have you leaving with a few bottles “just for the weekend.” Red, white, fortified — they pour with pride.
Wander, Browse, Get Lost in a Bookstore
One of the easiest things to do in Maleny? Walk slowly down the main street with no particular goal.
You’ll find secondhand books with handwritten notes in the margins, handwoven scarves from alpaca wool, candles that smell like actual places. There are art galleries where the artist might be behind the counter, and shops full of things you didn’t know you needed until five minutes ago.
It’s shopping, sure — but it doesn’t feel like it.
Day Trip: Montville, Baroon Pocket, and a Whole Lot of Trees
If you’ve got a car and half a day, follow the ridge to Montville. It’s like Maleny’s artistic cousin — just as charming, a bit more whimsical, with a heavier hand on the vintage lace and French country style.
On the way, stop at Baroon Pocket Dam. Bring a picnic, leave your phone in the car. This is where stillness lives.
Feeling Energetic? Head to Kondalilla Falls
If your legs are restless and your water bottle is full, drive to Kondalilla National Park. The trail to the falls isn’t long but has some steep sections that’ll remind you you’ve got calves. It’s worth every step.
The waterfall is surrounded by rock pools and green — pure, rainforest silence, broken only by cicadas and the occasional whoop from someone who just braved the water.
Got Kids? Do Australia Zoo Right
Sure, it’s not in Maleny — but it’s close enough, and if you’ve got little humans with big energy, Australia Zoo is the answer.
It’s not just crocodiles. It’s tigers, giraffes, bird shows, and enough animal facts to last the drive back up the mountain. Steve Irwin’s legacy still pulses through the place — loud, proud, and undeniably Aussie.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Maleny?
Short answer: whenever you can.
But if you’re after cool mornings and fire-friendly nights, go between April and October. That’s when the days are crisp, the clouds high, and the hinterland shows off.
Spring brings wildflowers and picnic weather. Winter means wine and misty valleys. Summer? Hot, lush, and perfect for waterfall swims and long, lazy afternoons under big shady trees.
Every season gives Maleny a different mood — and every one’s a good one.
Where to Stay – Boutique Luxury Accommodation in Maleny
You came all this way. Don’t book something boring.
Maleny’s best stays aren’t found in big booking chains — they’re hidden in hills, wrapped in rainforest, perched above paddocks.
Think outdoor decks, freestanding tubs, crackling fires, and no sound but wind and birdsong. Places like Scandi at Maleny and Maleny Country Estate deliver all of that. But honestly? There are dozens of boutique cabins and cottages that offer just as much charm.
If you want help choosing, we’ve rounded up the very best luxury accommodation in Maleny — because where you stay matters just as much as where you wander.
More Maleny Must‑Dos and Local Tips
If you’re still planning your weekend getaway or looking for more fun things to do around Maleny, don’t skip the small details that make the town of Maleny special. Stop for ice cream at Maleny Food Co or chocolate from the Maleny Chocolate Factory — two Maleny attractions worth a visit for anyone who loves fresh local produce.
Nature lovers should take the scenic drive along Mountain View Road, where you’ll find views of the Glass House Mountains that are easily some of the best things about staying in Maleny. The Blackall Range lookout spots are perfect for sunset photos, and you’ll often find a quiet car park just off the road.
Only a 15‑minute drive from Maleny, Montville and Maleny share that same hinterland heartbeat. Between them sits a lake tucked away between Montville and Maleny — Baroon Pocket Dam — a peaceful spot worth visiting for a picnic.
If you’re visiting from Brisbane, it’s an easy day trip from Brisbane, or an even better idea to spend a weekend up here. Enjoy locally sourced meals at one of the many Maleny cafes, or treat yourself to dinner at Spicers Tamarind Retreat, where the subtropical rainforest overlooking the valley adds a touch of magic to every glass of wine.
Whether you’re exploring north of Maleny, walking the Kondalilla Falls Circuit, or simply taking a stroll through town, you’ll find plenty of places to visit that make Maleny one of Queensland’s most charming getaways. It’s the kind of destination that keeps you coming back — and every trip reveals something new.