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As interesting because the Sunshine Coast’s seashores are, it’s properly price tearing your self away for a day (or ideally longer) to discover the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Within the inexperienced inside, you possibly can stroll via lush rainforest and swim in waterfalls, drive previous rolling hills with views right down to the ocean, store in cute villages for domestically made merchandise, and revel in scrumptious foods and drinks.
The Hinterland is ideal for a romantic getaway (it’s standard for weddings) as there are various distinctive locations to remain together with cosy cottages (and treehouses!) with spa baths and fireplaces. However there’s a lot to do for households and good friend teams too.
One weekend within the Hinterland become three throughout our prolonged keep on the Sunshine Coast—we completely love the realm.
Right here we share our prime picks for the very best issues to do in Sunshine Coast Hinterland together with our favorite locations to remain and eat.
Close to the tip of the submit, you’ll discover a map with all of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland points of interest talked about.
Contents
The place is Sunshine Coast Hinterland?
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is the realm inland from the Sunshine Coast, which stretches from Caloundra to Noosa in Southeast Queensland, Australia.
The Hinterland is one to 2 hours north of Brisbane and may be reached from the coastal cities in round 30-40 minutes.
The guts of the realm is the Blackall Vary together with the cities of Maleny, Montville, and Mapleton.
It additionally consists of the Glass Home Mountains additional south and cities like Eumundi and Yandina, that are nearer to the coast.
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is finest explored together with your personal automobile.
It’s good for a highway journey from Brisbane (maybe as a primary cease in your means north) or a day journey from the Sunshine Coast seashore cities.
In the event you’re staying in one of many coastal cities and don’t need to drive your self, do this Sunshine Coast: Rainforest, Views, and Montville Day Tour which visits lots of the locations on this information.
Greatest Issues to Do in Sunshine Coast Hinterland
1) Keep in a Treehouse at Secrets and techniques on the Lake
The posh treehouses at Secrets and techniques on the Lake are top-of-the-line locations we’ve ever stayed.
We beloved it a lot that we booked our second keep as quickly as obtained again from our first journey!
The treehouses are hidden within the rainforest overlooking Lake Baroon. It feels far-off from all of it, but it surely’s lower than a 10-minute drive to Montville.
The cabins are elevated on stilts amongst the timber and are reached by picket walkways, which provides to the magical really feel of this distinctive place.
A lot of the rooms are designed for {couples} with spa baths subsequent to the home windows, cosy fireplaces, and enormous terraces with double swing chairs.
All of them profit from the unbelievable forest and lake views.
The eye to element is wonderful and you’ll see the love the homeowners George and Aldy have poured into the place within the final 25 years.
From the gorgeous stained glass home windows and handcrafted wooden carvings in every cabin to the cosy bathrobes, candies by the mattress, and heat croissants left outdoors your door every morning.
Treehouses have BBQs and small (however well-equipped) kitchens so you possibly can self-cater or order a meal from the cafe to warmth up within the night. They organized a scrumptious cheese plate for us one night time.
Secrets and techniques on the Lake is a very particular place and excellent for an ultra-relaxing, romantic getaway within the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Test availability for Secrets and techniques on the Lake right here. It’s highly regarded so guide as far prematurely as attainable.
2) Observe the Blackall Vary Vacationer Drive
The 55km Blackall Vary Vacationer Drive (Route 23) runs from Landsborough to Nambour, however the very best part connects Maleny to Montville and Mapleton, excessive up on the escarpment with beautiful views of rolling hills and the distant ocean.
If you’re in need of time, that is the very best path to observe to see the highlights of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
The drive takes an hour continuous, however there’s a lot to do alongside the way in which (as you’ll uncover under).
You may also cease at viewpoints like Gerrard’s Lookout for sweeping views of the countryside and coast.
For a full time out, add on the Glass Home Mountains—the principle lookout is a 35-minute drive south of Maleny.
3) Eat and Store in Maleny
Maleny is likely one of the finest locations to go to within the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
The small city is surrounded by lovely countryside and pockets of historic rainforest excessive within the Blackall Vary, 425 metres above sea degree.
It’s the perfect place to cease for lunch or to refill on provides for a self-catering keep within the space.
The city has another vibe—we had been stunned {that a} rural village had so many veggie choices, however the group is inventive and eco-conscious.
We had a scrumptious lunch at Monica’s Cafe, a plant and art-filled area on two ranges (seize a sofa upstairs). The meals, espresso, and sizzling chocolate had been all scrumptious, and there was even a separate vegan menu.
My vegetable halloumi burger was messy however so good full of grilled greens, halloumi, pesto and mayo with good chunky chips.
We had been additionally tempted by Maleny Lane, an alleyway stuffed with connoisseur world meals (Thai, Korean, Indian and extra), but it surely’s not open day-after-day. There’s stay music on Friday nights.
The takeaway pies at Maleny Pie Man seemed nice too (with vegan choices) and Maple & Sage has vegan cupcakes and different treats.
For self-catering and picnic components, head to Maleny Meals Co for cheese (see under), Maple Road Meals Co-op for complete meals and bulk purchase, and the Seasons IGA for anything.
And don’t miss the chocolate at Maleny Chocolate Co!
Different outlets on the town promote garments, artwork, antiques, books, and presents. All these locations are simply accessible on Maple Road.
There’s tons to do close to Maleny. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is simply outdoors city and we extremely suggest it (see under).
Gardners Falls can be close by and is likely one of the most accessible spots for swimming within the Hinterland—the pure pool is simply 300 metres from the automobile park.
Brouhaha Brewery is a well-liked spot for craft beer followers.
4) Purchase Recent Pasta at Santini il Pastaio
Santini il Pastaio is a recent pasta store in Maleny that’s so good it deserves its personal entry. We’ve spent lots of time in Italy and that is the true deal!
If you’re self-catering throughout your keep within the Hinterland, undoubtedly cease right here to choose up a simple dinner.
We purchased melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi and a easy however good Napoletana sauce, and it solely took a couple of minutes to warmth up. We couldn’t cease raving about how good it was.
Even in the event you aren’t self-catering, you possibly can select your pasta and sauce and have it cooked for you within the store to remove.
There’s a variety of pasta and sauces together with handmade ravioli and specials like vegetarian lasagne. Additionally they have Italian desserts.
5) Spot Wildlife at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a should do within the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, particularly for animal lovers.
This remnant of the subtropical rainforest that after lined the Blackall Vary is house to many birds, animals, and a few really spectacular timber.
The straightforward 1.7km rainforest loop takes you round the entire reserve with a lot to see alongside the way in which. It took us 45 minutes with a number of stops.
The spotlight was the 5 cute pademelons (small kangaroos) that we noticed together with a mom and joey very near the boardwalk.
You possibly can study extra in regards to the wildlife within the Rainforest Discovery Centre. There’s additionally a restaurant that seemed interesting.
Head as much as the viewing deck above the cafe for an exquisite view of the Glass Home Mountains.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a 10-minute drive outdoors Maleny. Entrance is by gold coin donation (contactless is offered in the event you don’t have money).
6) Hike the Kondalilla Falls Circuit
The most effective Sunshine Coast Hinterland hikes is the Kondalilla Falls Circuit in Kondalilla Nationwide Park, only a five-minute drive from Montville.
This lovely path consists of beautiful rainforest, epic valley views, a 90-metre-tall waterfall, and rock swimming pools for swimming.
The 4.8km loop took us 1 hour 20 minutes (two hours together with a swimming break) with an elevation achieve of 206 metres.
Whereas there are lots of steps, it wasn’t too tough. It’s simpler in the event you go anticlockwise (which is the way in which the indicators will take you). This additionally leaves the rock swimming pools to the tip.
After parking at Kondalilla Falls Automotive Park, head down the steps to a picnic space (there are bathrooms and knowledge indicators right here) and begin on the Picnic Creek Circuit.
Go proper on the junction and after about 20 minutes you’ll attain a lookout (barely off-trail) with expansive views of the valley.
Then be part of the Kondalilla Falls Circuit (head instantly from the rock swimming pools) which can take you down steep steps via the forest far down into the valley.
There’s a lookout to see Kondalilla Falls on the way in which down—a tall however slim trickle of water for us in winter.
On the backside, you possibly can take a detour (about 10 minutes return) to the underside of the falls. It’s important to scramble over some rocks to get to the small pool (not very interesting for swimming on our go to—save that for later).
Now it’s a must to make your means again up the opposite facet of the valley, however the switchbacks make it simpler than the steps on the opposite facet.
Your reward on the prime is the rock swimming pools on the very prime of the waterfall, that are good for a swim. In winter, I had it to myself but it surely was chilly. Be careful for the eels!
From the rock swimming pools, it took us 20 minutes to return to the automobile park, taking the opposite facet of the Picnic Creek Loop.
When you may head straight to the rock swimming pools when you have restricted time or vitality, I actually beloved the entire hike.
Kondalilla Falls is justifiably standard so it’s finest visited on a weekday.
In the event you want lunch after your hike, the Kondalilla Restaurant in Kondalilla Eco Resort is subsequent to the park.
There’s a beautiful bush view from the terrace and the vegetarian and seafood menu is nice if are on the lookout for one thing lighter. Our Nourish bowl and Thai curry had been each veggie-packed and scrumptious.
7) Go to Lake Baroon
Lake Baroon is a hidden gem within the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
The lake was created by Baroon Pocket Dam and is a peaceable spot for picnics, kayaking, or paddleboarding.
There are not any water sports activities leases, however in the event you keep at Secrets and techniques by the Lake (as we did), canoes are free for friends.
Even in the event you don’t keep at Secrets and techniques, I like to recommend visiting their cafe for espresso, lunch, or afternoon tea because the terrace has a improbable view of the lake.
The northern finish of the lake can be the beginning of the 58km Sunshine Coast Hinterland Nice Stroll. You are able to do a shorter hike in Kondalilla Nationwide Park right here via some beautiful forest.
The 5.5km return hike to Narrows Lookout and Baroon Lookout takes you to a view of the lake.
You may also stroll the 10km to Kondalilla Falls from right here. If you’re staying at Secrets and techniques, they will drop you off with a packed lunch so you are able to do a one-way hike again.
Sadly, you possibly can’t swim in most of Lake Baroon because it gives consuming water to the realm. There’s one swimming space on the southern facet (search for “Baroon Pocket Dam (North Maleny facet)” on Google Maps).
8) Pattern Native Cheeses
This rural space is heaven for cheese lovers with a number of native dairies.
We shopped for a cheese plate at Maleny Meals Co, which has a walk-in Fromagerie with greater than 250 Australian and worldwide cheeses to select from.
They’ve loads of chutneys and pastes to go together with the cheese. You may also eat of their cafe or they will organize cheese and picnic bins with 48 hours discover.
Kenilworth Dairy is understood for its wonderful cheese and you’ll go to their store and cafe in Kenilworth.
Maleny Cheese is one other standard possibility for cheese plates of their cafe that overlooks the manufacturing unit flooring.
Why not let another person do the planning and do this Personal Small Group Sunshine Coast Hinterland Cheese & Wine Tour which incorporates decide up and a two course lunch.
9) Indulge on the Chocolate Retailers
Each Sunny Coast Hinterland city appears to have a chocolate store and we’re not complaining.
Maleny Chocolate Co is down the steps under Monica’s Cafe and has a variety of treats (with free samples). We particularly beloved the peppermint bark and honeycomb bark (made utilizing honey from their farm).
Chocolate Nation Montville is one other good spot. Their truffles are beautiful and you’ll take pleasure in a sizzling chocolate within the cafe.
In the event you favor fudge, Fudgyboombahs in Montville is standard.
10) Store in Montville
Montville is a reasonably mountain city quarter-hour from Maleny on Route 23. Spending an hour or so searching the outlets right here is likely one of the finest issues to do in Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Whereas there’s parking on Foremost St, it’s simpler to go to the massive free automobile park behind the Clock Store. There’s a public rest room right here and every little thing is a simple stroll down Foremost Road.
Some Montville highlights embrace:
- Clock Store – A unusual retailer promoting cuckoo and grandfather clocks plus Christmas decorations and presents.
- Tamborine Tea – A beautiful vary of loose-leaf teas together with black, inexperienced, and natural. They’ve testers so you possibly can odor all of them.
- Montville Artwork Gallery – Work by native artists.
- Chocolate Nation Montville – Scrumptious candies.
There are numerous different reward outlets and galleries together with woodworking and ceramics.
We had lunch at Edamame, a Japanese cafe on an higher flooring overlooking Foremost Road. The small menu consists of donburi (rice bowls), ramen, curry, and salads with a number of vegan and gluten-free choices.
11) Cease at Mapleton Falls Lookout
Mapleton Falls Lookout is a wheelchair-accessible viewpoint subsequent to the automobile park in Mapleton Falls Nationwide Park.
On the lookout, you peer down from the highest of the 120-metre waterfall, which was a trickle in winter (summer season is the wet season), but it surely’s nonetheless price stopping for the expansive views of Obi Obi Valley and the rainforest cover.
In August and September, look out for peregrine falcons, which roost on the cliff edges right here.
The Nice Stroll passes via right here, however in the event you simply need to stretch your legs, the Wompoo Circuit is a beautiful stroll via rainforest and eucalypt forest.
Together with the Peregrine Lookout facet journey, it was 1.7km for us and took 25 minutes with 65 metres of elevation achieve. It was pretty straightforward with a number of light ascents, and it’s quieter than Kondalilla Nationwide Park.
12) Go to Kenilworth Bakery and Dairy
When you have time after visiting Maleny, Montville, and Mapleton, it’s price driving to Kenilworth, one other little nation city.
It was a good looking drive down from Mapleton on Obi Obi Rd, though we hadn’t anticipated it to be unsealed and so steep. No caravans are allowed. The highway is sealed on the way in which again up.
Kenilworth is surrounded by farmland with cows grazing and feels far-off from all of it.
Kenilworth Bakery is famend within the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for its pies and donuts, which you should buy from side-by-side outlets on Elizabeth Road. I like to recommend making an attempt each.
We had been happy that that they had good vegan choices in each. We beloved the roast vegetable and korma pastry roll and the southwest tofu pie (like a chile with spicy beans, greens, and tofu).
There’s an enormous vary of decadent donuts. We selected the comparatively easy chocolate glaze and a vegan jam donut. Each had been scrumptious, however we really most well-liked the feel of the vegan one.
You may also get a espresso donut (a hollowed-out donut stuffed with espresso!) and a really intense-looking 1kg donut (pre-order wanted).
Eat your treats on the picnic tables behind the outlets and benefit from the murals by Daus Von Roe that includes music stars.
A couple of minutes stroll from the bakery is Kenilworth Dairy. There’s an outside cafe and retailer the place you should buy their giant vary of cheeses and different foodie merchandise.
I’d heard their yoghurts and chocolate mousse had been wonderful, however sadly, they comprise gelatine so are usually not vegetarian-friendly.
From Kenilworth, you might loop again to Maleny on Route 22 or head to the coast through Eumundi.
13) Admire the Enormous Bushes on the Fig Tree Stroll
One of many best points of interest so as to add to your Kenilworth go to is the Fig Tree Stroll, a seven-minute drive out of city.
From the parking space, cross the bridge to get to the wheelchair-accessible paved and boardwalk loop.
The 1.1km flat path took us quarter-hour and handed two immense 150-year-old Moreton Bay fig timber.
14) See the View at Glass Home Mountains Lookout
The Glass Home Mountains are on the southern finish of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
The countryside is flatter than the Blackall Vary, however the panorama is punctuated by distinctive plugs, which had been fashioned by volcanic exercise over 25 million years in the past.
The simplest place to see the array of craggy peaks is the Glass Home Mountains Lookout, which you’ll be able to drive proper as much as.
It’s an awesome overview of the realm with indicators to determine every mountain and knowledge on how they had been fashioned.
Services right here embrace bathrooms, picnic tables, and BBQs. There’s additionally a 800-metre bush stroll but it surely doesn’t have views, so you might skip it in case you are doing different walks within the space.
Simply down the highway is the Lookout Cafe, which has improbable views of Mt Coonowrin from the terrace.
We had espresso right here whereas staying at Glass on Glasshouse on-site, however the menu seemed interesting.
15) Hike Mt Ngungun for an Even Higher View
For a fair higher view of the Glass Home Mountains, it’s price heading up Mt Ngungun.
Whereas the rocky steps up are fairly steep, it’s not a tough stroll. The return journey was 2.5km and took us 45 minutes (plus a break on the prime) with a 190-metre elevation achieve.
Put on footwear with traction because the rocks on the summit are fairly slippery.
We additionally walked the 4.4km / 1 hour Mount Tibrogargan Circuit. It’s simpler than Mt Ngungun, but it surely’s via the bush across the base of the mountain, so that you solely get occasional views of the mountains.
16) Keep in a Gorgeous Cottage at Glass on Glasshouse
Our ultimate Sunshine Coast Hinterland go to would come with stays at each Secrets and techniques on the Lake in Montville and Glass on Glasshouse.
Glass on Glasshouse is an adults-only retreat with three personal cottages with floor-to-ceiling home windows to profit from the beautiful views of Mt Coonowrin.
The cottages are ultra-modern and trendy with an enormous spa bathtub that fills from the ceiling, a patio with BBQ, and a fridge stocked with tasty breakfast components.
You received’t need to go away, so carry meals to self-cater or order a meal prematurely from the cafe.
There’s a shared pool, which we needed to ourselves and was good to chill off on a sizzling afternoon.
Look out for kangaroos on the lawns!
We completely beloved our keep right here and it’s good for a tranquil, romantic weekend away within the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Test availability for Glass on Glasshouse right here. Be certain to guide properly forward.
17) Get pleasure from a Leisurely Lunch at Spirit Home
Spirit Home is likely one of the most beloved vacation spot eating places on the Sunshine Coast and was our favorite meal within the space.
It’s positioned within the small city of Yandina, between the coast and the Blackall Ranges. It’s near the Ginger Manufacturing unit and Eumundi Market, so contemplate combining all three (simply carried out as a day journey from Noosa too).
The setting is gorgeous with vibrant buildings amongst lush Asian gardens and swaying bamboo. The principle eating room is open-air and surrounds a beautiful pond.
Spirit Home is good for an important day. The minimal price is $100 per particular person for 3 programs or select the premium banquet at $120 for 4 programs served sharing type. Enable a minimum of two hours for a leisurely meal.
The meals is Thai impressed and the flavours felt genuine to us, albeit with a brand new interpretation.
Our vegetarian premium banquet included Miang Kham (peanuts and ginger wrapped in a betel leaf—a bit flavour implosion), tom yum soup, steamed pumpkin cake, and our favorite, the candy and spicy Fried Plantain and Tuturuga Spice Paste.
Our mains had been a wonderful Yellow Curry with beetroot cooked in a number of methods and a Mushroom Pad See Ew.
Dessert varies every day and was a spotlight for us. The Mango Sticky Rice “Eton Mess” mixed mango sorbet, meringue, and crystallised pandan for a lightweight, fruity, crunchy finish to an exquisite meal.
The meals, service, and setting are all distinctive at Spirit Home and we extremely suggest it.
Advance bookings are important—seemingly a minimum of a number of weeks for lunch and longer for dinner.
18) Expertise the Ginger Manufacturing unit
Additionally in Yandina is the Ginger Manufacturing unit. I initially dismissed it as a vacationer lure, however we ended up having fun with our time there.
It’s one of many prime Sunshine Coast Hinterland points of interest for households, however in the event you like ginger, it’s price visiting even with out children.
Buderim ginger is a few of the finest on the earth. Whereas they now not develop ginger right here, it’s processed on-site with ginger grown by native farmers.
At Ginger Manufacturing unit you possibly can study the historical past of ginger manufacturing within the space, see the way it’s grown, and store for a variety of ginger merchandise (the ginger beer with spiced rum is our favorite).
The massive advanced is extra of a ginger theme park. You possibly can take a steam prepare across the grounds, search for gingerbread males on the indoor boat trip (assume Disney’s It’s a Small World), and stroll via a rainforest stroll underneath vibrant umbrellas.
The grounds and play areas are free, however the prepare, boat trip, and varied excursions price additional.
We loved the seasonal Harvest Tour, the place we learnt how ginger is grown and harvested and tried a number of of their merchandise.
The prepare and boat trip had been cute however skippable for adults with out children.
Households may simply spend half a day right here doing all of the actions.
19) Purchase Native Crafts at Eumundi Market
The well-known Eumundi Market is likely one of the prime Sunshine Coast Hinterland actions.
The large market takes place each Wednesday and Saturday morning and options an array of stalls promoting garments, jewelry, artwork, presents, video games, house decor, ceramics and extra.
There’s a lot much less of a meals focus than the farmers markets within the space (like the superb one in Noosa on Sundays—see our Noosa eating places information for our fave stalls), so this isn’t the place to buy recent produce.
You could find nuts, honey, sizzling sauces, and chutneys, and we picked up a beautiful Thai curry paste.
There are fairly a number of ready meals stalls for breakfast—we ate Tibetan momos and Dutch mini pancakes—however we didn’t discover the choices as interesting as at Noosa’s market.
Regardless that we’re not likely into buying, we spent 90 minutes right here. Buying lovers shall be in heaven.
Parking is $9 (card solely). The market is standard however we didn’t discover it overwhelming on a Wednesday arriving early.
20) Have fun Christmas in July
The climate is barely cooler within the Hinterland than on the coast, so it’s the very best spot to have a good time Christmas in July. Don’t count on snow (afternoons can nonetheless be 20ºC+), however you possibly can respect a fireplace and warming meal on the cool nights.
Secrets and techniques on the Lake had their Christmas tree up on our July go to and a festive dinner was out there for one night time with lunches all through the month.
Different locations with Christmas in July celebrations are Montville Cafe Bar & Grill and The Lengthy Apron. Bookings are important.
Map of Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Is Sunshine Coast Hinterland Value Visiting?
Once we initially deliberate our Sunshine Coast journey, the seashores had been our focus, however the rolling inexperienced hills and rainforests of the inside stole our hearts.
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is properly price visiting whether or not you’re on the lookout for a soothing, romantic break, an adventure-filled weekend of hikes and waterfall swims, or a leisurely day journey of buying and consuming.
I hope this information has given you some concepts of what to do in Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Depart a remark under when you have some other ideas.
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