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Maleny is a town in Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland, in the Blackall Ranges, approximately 100 km north of Brisbane, near the amazingly unique volcanic Glass House Mountains. Its population is about 5,000 people. Known as a very alternative centre for many years, it still retains much of its original identity as a country town in a dairy farming district. Maleny is an arts and craft hotbed and is home to many nationally recognised artists and art galleries. It is also a centre for eco tourism and cooperative enterprises. Nearby Montville is a tourist attraction in its own right.

Understand

Maleny is a mixture of elements. You will encounter both old-time hippies and salt-of-the-earth farmers, newly arrived urban professionals and long-time locals. However, there's still relatively little 'multi-culturalism' of the kind that you'll find in Brisbane or Noosa.

History

No-one seems to know the exact name of the Aboriginal people who were living in the Maleny area before the arrival of Europeans. They have been called the Bonyi Bonyi, Gubbi Gubbi or Kabi Kabi, and they gathered the area's famous bunya nuts. In their time the whole Maleny area, indeed the whole Blackall Ranges, was covered with rainforest.

The German explorer Ludwig Leichhardt first visited the area around the 1840s, after which it was settled by timber industry workers. (Maleny's streets are still named after types of trees.) The first selection of land at the present site of Maleny was made by one Isaac Burgess in 1878. Dairy and beef cattle were the next important industry, encouraged by Maleny's (usually) good rainfall and rich soil.

The origin of the town's name remains a mystery. One guess is that it's a misspelt version of Malleny in Scotland.

Get in

The easiest way into Maleny is by road via the town of Landsborough, from either south or north.

By car

From Brisbane go over the Gateway Bridge and through the toll leading north onto the Bruce Highway. Follow the signs to the Sunshine Coast. After 10 km take the Glass House Mountains exit on the left (look for the big brown sign mentioning Beerburrum, Maleny and Landsborough). Then watch for the signs for Maleny as you transit Landsborough and begin the climb up a steep road into the Blackall Ranges towards Maleny, Montville and Mapleton. The Sunshine Coast is a popular weekend getaway for Brisbanites, so expect a slightly longer drive in this direction on a Friday afternoon. You will also have to pay the toll on the Gateway Bridge as you leave south Brisbane.

By bus

Glasshouse Country Coaches run from the Landsborough railway station up to Maleny. ☏ +61 7 5496 9249. Alternatively travel from Nambour to Landsborough via Maleny, or Nambour to Maleny directly.

By train

The nearest train station is at Landsborough. Queensland Rail (QR) ☏ 13 16 17 (in country only), +61 07 3072 2222. One can also stop at Nambour.

By plane

The nearest and most convenient airport (about a 35 min drive from Maleny) is the Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY IATA), it is sometimes called Maroochydore Airport, at Marcoola, near Maroochydore.

  • Airlink Transfers provides a door to door transfer service from the Sunshine Coast Airport to Maleny.

The next closest airport is Brisbane International Airport (BNE IATA). To drive from Brisbane International airport to the centre of Maleny takes around 1½ hr.

Get around

Maleny is spread out over a fairly large area. You'll need a car to enjoy your stay here.

See

  • Book Farm, The, 330 Reesville Road, ☏ +61 7 5494 3000. Educational ecotourism centre, catering for school groups. Workshops, seminars, rainforest setting. 
  • Crystal Waters Ecovillage, 65 Kilcoy Lane, ☏ +61 7 5494 4620. More than 20 km outside the main centre of Maleny, in Conondale. Famous intentional community started in 1987. A permaculture village working toward a balanced natural ecology. 200 permanent residents. Regular markets (1st Saturday of each month), festivals, workshops and permaculture training courses. Campground, bunkhouses and cabins for visitors. Tours available. 
  • Howells Knob Lookout, Reeseville Road (off Maleny-Kenilworth Road), one of the highest points in the Maleny area, with good views of the Glasshouse Mountains and islands off the coast.
  • Maleny Light Horse Museum. Maleny RSL Club at Bunya Street. 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. Open Sundays, ANZAC Day, Australia Day, Remembrance Day and by appointment. 
  • Maleny Mountain Vinery, ☏ +61 7 5429 6300. 787 Landsborough-Maleny Road. Tours, wine and cheese tasting, homemade bread, barbecue facilities and excellent views. 
  • Research Centre at Barung Landcare, 17 Bicentenary Lane, ☏ +61 7 5494 3151. Very active volunteer group in the Maleny community, working to ensure the sustainability of the natural resources of the region for the future. Also operates a nursery. 

National parks and recreation areas

  • Beerburrum and Beerwah State Forests and Forest Reserves are all nearby, within 1 hr drive.
  • Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, ☏ +61 7 5499 9907. Corner of Landsborough-Maleny Road and Mountain View Road. Open daily. Well worth a visit to the 52 hectares of natural sub tropical rainforest and walking trails include many varieties of native fauna and flora, such as the pygmy mouse, possums, pademelons, wallabies, gliders, bandicoots, echidnae, bearded dragons, and a great many types of birds. Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, children's playground, toilets, a kiosk, a ranger in attendance. At the entrance is the Thynne Natural History Education Centre. Nice views over the Glasshouse mountains. Tours available. 
  • Witta Look Out, 460 Maleny-Kenilworth Road Witta (7 km from Maleny). Opposite Gumland Drive, overlooking the Conondale Valley with Mary Valley and Conondale Ranges in the western distance. Great place at sunrise to catch the spectacular dawn colours across the ranges and the spectacular sunset views. 

Do

  • Australia Zoo, ☏ +61 7 5436 2000. In nearby Beerwah, at the foot of the Glass House Mountains about 35 min from Maleny. Run by the family of the late, ecologist and entertainer Steve Irwin, 'the Crocodile Hunter.' 
  • Baroon Pocket Dam and Lake Baroon, Baroon Pocket Road (Of North Maleny Road). A popular scenic location for picnicking, swimming, fishing, sailing and canoeing. Viewing platform near the spillway, with barbecues and toilets. Bushwalks through rainforests and Obi Obi Gorge. 
  • The Ginger Factory, 50 Pioneer Road, ☏ +61 7 5446 7096. Yandina, about a 45 min drive from Maleny. Unusual (free) theme park based on ginger. Cane Train through rainforest and various rides and features to entertain children. Claims to be biggest selection of ginger products anywhere in the world. Cafe for meals & snacks. 
  • Eumundi Markets, ☏ +61 7 5442 7106. In the town of Eumundi, 20 km west of Noosa, about a 40 min drive from Maleny. One of Queensland's leading tourist attractions since 1979, held every Saturday and Wednesday. Arts, crafts, music, street entertainers, food, atmosphere. 
  • Maleny Community Centre, ☏ +61 7 5499 9033. Maple Street right in the centre of town. Movies, plays, weekly Sunday markets, annual May Maleny Arts and Crafts Fair and many other activities. Information centre open daily 
  • Maleny Dairy Tours, ☏ +61 7 5494 2392. 70 McCarthy's Road. Tours Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Appointment necessary. 
  • Mystic Mountain Tours, ☏ +61 7 5435 2881. 5 Glasshouse Parade. Various tours of the Blackall Ranges, Saturdays, Sundays or by appointment. Known for Winery and Gourmet Foods Tours. Free pick-up in Brisbane for groups of 12 or more. 
  • Mary Valley Rattler, ☏ +61 7 5482 2750, . Tozer Street, Gympie. Steam Locomotive Scenic Tours operated from Gympie, slightly more than 1 hr drive north of Maleny. The Mary Valley Heritage Railway runs steam, railmotor and diesel passenger tours on the Mary Valley Line of Queensland Rail as a non profit venture, owned and operated by the local community. 
  • Woodford Folk Festival. In nearby Woodford, is a very famous annual musical event, held in late December. (It began in Maleny but moved to Woodford some years ago.) 

Buy

The main street of Maleny, Maple Street, has a number of interesting shops and galleries.

  • Art on Cairncross, 3 Panorama Place, Cairncross Corner, Maleny, ☏ +61 7 5429 6404. Fine arts, ceramics, glass and sculpture 
  • Bohemian Dreams, 11 Coral Street, ☏ +61 7 5435 2928. Just off Maple Street. Coffee shop plus homewares, jewellery and gifts. 
  • David Linton Furniture & Timber Works, 14 Maple Street, ☏ +61 7 5429 6831. Handcrafted homewares, furniture, sculptures, jewelry, artwork, glassware and timberwork. 
  • Glasshouse Pottery, 15 Bunya Street, ☏ +61 7 5499 9666. 
  • Maleny Art Supplies, ☏ +61 7 5494 2977. 38a Coral Street. 
  • Maleny Bookshop, ☏ +61 7 5494 3666. Maple Street. Used, out of print and unusual books. 
  • Holden Gallery, Coral Street, ☏ +61 7 5494 2100. Framing artwork, needlework, photographs, certificates, medals and memorabilia 
  • Peace of Green, 38 Maple Street, ☏ +61 7 5499 9311. Open daily. 
  • Rosetta Books, ☏ +61 7 5435 2134. At Maple Street. New books and coffee. 
  • Tree Frog Gallery, 56 Montville Road, ☏ +61 7 5435 2303. Australian indigenous art, contemporary paintings, sculpture, landscapes, ceramics, jewelry, furniture and craft. 
  • Maleny Handicrafts Market, at the Maleny RSL Hall. Local handicrafts market held every Sunday.
  • Maleny Village Bazaar, Maple street Maleny (Main street through Nursery), ☏ +61 408260836. Revamped retro fashion, beaded & embroidered jeans, unique homewares, stylish sunnies, recycled art, music paraphernalia, gadgets, gizmos, hemp and bamboo t-shirts, massage, antiques & collectables, healing, readings, handmade craft, exotic jewellery, art gallery, mens clothes, gifts, crystals, semi precious stones and e~bling. Friendly atmosphere. 
  • Imeldas on Maple, 50 Maple St, Maleny (Next to Cooke Park), ☏ +61 7 5499 9622. Footwear and accessories. 

Spas, beauty salons, retreats, massage and alternative health providers

  • Samani's Hair and Nail Salon, 1 Gumland Drive Witta (7 km from Maleny), ☏ +61 75435 8881. Hair fashions by Sam and her team. Tuesday-Saturday book early. 
  • Middle Path Awareness Sanctuary, 12 Lawrence Place, ☏ +61 7 5499 9060. Natural health treatments, including iridology, 1 day detox, colonic irrigation, naturopathy, hypnotherapy, iris interpretation, plus workshops and seminars. 
  • Golden Pathways to Harmony, 329 Maleny Stanley River Rd, ☏ +61 7 5494 2155. Overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains. Training programs including aromatherapy, meditation, face reading, deep muscle therapy. Art studio and gallery, recording studio, Sacred creative studio, Tesla inspired innovational technologies, Ezy-Grow gardening systems, agent for the Quantum alliance and a small retail section stocking Young Living essential oils, books, crystals, CDs and Crystal Tones alchemy bowls. Open by prior appointment only. 

Buy food

  • Maleny Cheese, 1 Clifford Street, ☏ +61 7 5494 2207. European style cheese making. Watch cheese and yoghurt being made. Includes a cafe. 
  • Maleny Supermarket IGA Universal Providers, ☏ +61 7 5494 2257. Maple Street. (In the middle of town). Organic and other produce, plus gourmet cheeses. Open 7 days. 
  • Maple Street Co-op, 37 Maple Street, ☏ +61 7 5494 2088. A famous local co-operative started in 1979 that aims to supply high quality organic foods and products (vegetables and fruit) for a reasonable price to Co-op members and the community. Open 7 days. 

Eat

Maple Street has a considerable number of interesting restaurants and cafes. (Vegetarians are well catered for in this area.)

  • Bohemian Dreams Cafe, 11 Coral St, ☏ +61 7 5435 2928. Just off Maple St. Coffee shop plus gifts. 
  • Cappriccio's Italian Restaurant, ☏ +61 7 5499 9444. In the 'Riverside Centre' on Maple St. 
  • Captain Merv's Seafood, 8 Maple St, ☏ +61 7 5499 9500. 
  • Cheese Stop Cafe, 1 Clifford St, ☏ +61 7 5494 2207. Fully licensed café with espresso coffee, tea and cold drinks, special cheese dishes, cakes, scones & desserts. (Watch cheese & yoghurt being made on the premises.) 
  • Colin James Fine Foods, ☏ +61 7 5494 2860. Maple St. Gelati, an extensive range of cheese, with a cafe which caters to a gluten free diet. 
  • Figtree Cottage Restaurant, ☏ +61 7 5494 3269. 37 Maleny-Montville Rd. 
  • Gypsy's Table Licensed Restaurant, ☏ +61 7 5435 2813. In the 'Rainforest Plaza' at 43 Maple St. Vegetarian plus non vegetarian menus. 
  • King Ludwig's Restaurant, 401 Mountain View Rd, ☏ +61 7 5499 9377. German cuisine with spectacular views of the Glasshouse Mountains. Fully licensed. Lunch Wed-Sun. Dinner Wed-Sat. 
  • Maleny Coach House, ☏ +61 7 5494 2877. Landsborough-Maleny Rd. 
  • Monica's, 43 Maple St, ☏ +61 7 5494 2670. Cafe and BYO dining. 
  • Pearl Garden Chinese Restaurant, ☏ +61 7 5494 3788. At the 'Riverside Centre' on Maple St. 
  • Pomodoars on Obi, 18 Lawyer St. (Behind the local RSL), ☏ +61 7 5492 6543. Food and luxury treetop cabins overlooking the Obi Obi Creek, in the heart of Maleny 
  • Swiss Crust Wood Fired Bakery, 16 Maple St, ☏ +61 7 5495 43711. 
  • Terrace of Maleny, ☏ +61 7 5494 3700. Outside of town on Mountain View Rd. Lunch and dinner 7 days a week. 
  • The Key Restaurant Maleny, Cairncross Corner, Cnr. of Maleny Landsborough Rd and Mountain view Rd, ☏ +61 7 54296537. W-Sun, lunch and dinner. 11AM-till late. Relaxed atmosphere, sunny terrace. Blend of African, Creole and Mediterranean culinary influences. Friday night buffet, local produce, chicken and meat are hormone free. Caters for vegetarian diets and for people with gluten intolerance. From $16.50. 

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Cope

Media

Go next

  • Flaxton A small Blackall Ranges town, perhaps the prettiest of all, near Montville, about 15 km from Maleny. See the Flaxton Barn and Model Railway.
  • Montville Nearby historic but very touristy town, also in the Blackall Ranges, about 10 km from Maleny via Montville-Maleny Road. Lots of shops and cafes and restaurants. Excellent views from various spots.
This city travel guide to Maleny is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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