Best Things to Do in Maleny: A Local’s Guide to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Last Updated: September 2026

Maleny is one of our favourite places in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and somewhere we return to again and again. Living on the Sunshine Coast, we’ve visited Maleny countless times over the years, whether it’s for a walk through the rainforest, lunch with a view, a swim at Gardners Falls or simply a wander through town.

Surrounded by rolling green hills and with spectacular views towards the Glass House Mountains, Maleny is an easy day trip from the coast, but there’s enough to see and do to make a weekend of it too.

From rainforest walks and waterfalls to incredible viewpoints, local food and even the chance to spot a wild platypus, here are some of our favourite things to do in Maleny.

Maleny is one of the highlights of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, but there’s so much more to discover in the region. If you’re planning a longer holiday, my 14-day Sunshine Coast itinerary combines beautiful hinterland villages, rainforest walks, wildlife encounters and coastal favourites into one carefully planned trip.

What to do in Maleny?

Visit the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

For nature lovers, one of the most popular attractions in Maleny is the stunning Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

This 55-hectare reserve of sub-tropical rainforest is home to many indigenous species of flora and fauna. You can take a relaxing easy walk along the rainforest track from 7am to 6pm.  Be sure to bring your camera and search for reptiles, pademelons, birds, amphibians, snails, colourful bugs, and other insects.

Entry to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is free, with a gold coin donation requested for the Rainforest Discovery Centre.

Explore Maleny Botanic Gardens

Set across 23 acres with spectacular views over the Glass House Mountains, the Maleny Botanic Gardens are a beautiful place to spend a few hours. The gardens feature landscaped terraces, waterfalls, ponds and walking paths, with plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the scenery.

The gardens are also home to Bird World, a large walk-through aviary housing hundreds of colourful birds, including many rescued and unwanted birds that have been given a permanent home. If you love birds, it’s an interesting addition to your visit, with the chance to see a huge variety of species up close while learning more about them from the keepers.

You can visit the gardens on their own or purchase a ticket that includes Bird World. Allow at least a couple of hours if you plan to experience both, and don’t forget to spend some time simply enjoying those incredible Glass House Mountains views.

Entry to the gardens also includes Farm Friends, a small farm-animal area where visitors can see animals such as miniature donkeys, goats, sheep and other farm animals.

Entrance fee

Botanical Gardens and Farm Friends only:

Adults: $29

Child (3-14 years): $19

Botanical Gardens, Farm Friends and Bird World Aviary:

Adults: $49

Child (3-14 years): $34

Look out for Platypus in the Obi Obi Creek

One of the most special things to do in Maleny is to look for wild platypus in Obi Obi Creek. The easy walk starting with a boardwalk follows the creek through the centre of town, with a viewing platform along the way.

For years we walked this trail without seeing one and had almost given up, until we finally spotted not one but two platypus on a recent visit! They can be tricky to find, so patience definitely helps. Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times to try, when platypus are more active. During their breeding season (June to August) they are also more likely to make an appearance at any time of the day.

Keep an eye out for ripples and bubbles on the surface and, most importantly, stay quiet and be patient! Even if the platypus don’t cooperate, it’s still a lovely short walk through the rainforest beside the creek.

Take a Dip at Gardners Falls

On a hot Queensland day, Gardners Falls is a popular spot to cool down. The swimming hole is easy to reach, with a short five-minute walk from the car park alongside Obi Obi Creek.

It’s a gorgeous spot and well worth visiting, but the small car park can fill up quickly on hot summer days, weekends and during school holidays. There are also a couple of unofficial rope swings around the main swimming hole, which are particularly popular with the more adventurous.

If you’re heading down onto the rocks or closer to the falls, take care as the rocks can be slippery and uneven. Swimming and using the rope swings is at your own risk, and conditions can change, so always check the warning signs and water conditions before getting in.

Explore Maleny town centre

Maleny’s Town Centre is home to many interesting little shops. Whether you are looking for clothes, gifts, art, books, or chocolate, you’ll find it there.

If you are looking for fabulous wood pieces or furniture, make sure you pop into the David Linton Furniture & Timber Works shop. They have incredible timber works in there and even if you’re not buying, it’s worth checking out anyway.

Visit Maleny Cheese

During school holidays, Maleny Cheese also runs short yoghurt and cheese tasting tours, where you can learn about the area’s dairy history, see into the working factory and, most importantly, taste some of their delicious cheeses and yoghurts.

Even if you don’t take a tour, you can stop by the café and shop for a cheese platter, lunch or some local produce to take home.

Check out the spectacular lookouts

You can’t visit Maleny and not check out the stunning views of the Hinterland and the Glass House Mountains! One of the best lookouts in Maleny is McCarthy’s Lookout on Mountain View Road. It has expansive views of the Glass House Mountains.

The view from the famous One Tree Hill is another great spot, although you can’t take photos next to the famous tree which is on private land.

If you have time to drive across to Montville, the road between the two towns also offers spectacular views.

There are literally no bad views around Maleny!

Enjoy lunch or dinner at Tamarind

The award-winning Tamarind restaurant in the Spicers Resort is set in a lush rainforest near Maleny and offers stylish dining, infused with contemporary Asian twists. The setting is just as amazing as the food and whether you go for lunch or for dinner (when they have the fire pit and fairy lights lit), you can’t go wrong. Keep an eye out for visiting wildlife.

Go wine tasting

For some local wine tasting, head to The Barrel @Clouds Vineyard, right on the outskirts of Maleny. This award-winning winery is inside a big barrel next to the road. You won’t miss it when driving up to Maleny!

Pick up a bottle of their wine to take home. They also have a selection of local artwork and other products for sale.

Have an ice cream at Maleny Food Co

For a special treat, stop at the popular Maleny Food Co for their award-winning ice cream. It gets very busy there, especially on a hot day.

But my favourite thing about the Maleny Food Co is the cheese monger attached to the Café. I am in cheese heaven every time I visit. With so many yummy cheeses, it’s hard not to spend a fortune!

Check out Maleny Lane

In this magical Alleyway in the heart of town, local businesses serve up gourmet street food from around the world, paired with live entertainment. Expect everything from authentic Indian food by the Hare Krishnas, Korean food, Thai, Balinese and so much more. It’s a great place to eat take-out food (you can BYO) and listen to music.

Splurge on Seafood at The Terrace Seafood Restaurant

For the best seafood in town, head to the award winning The Terrace and enjoy a seafood platter overlooking the stunning countryside views. It’s not cheap, but the seafood is great and so are the views.

Visiting Montville too? Maleny and Montville are close enough to easily visit on the same trip. Check out our Montville guide for the best things to do, walks, viewpoints and places to stay.

How Long Do You Need in Maleny?

You can easily see the highlights of Maleny on a day trip, especially if you’re visiting from the Sunshine Coast or Brisbane. With one full day, you’ll have time for a rainforest walk at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, explore the town, visit a waterfall or two and enjoy some of the beautiful Glass House Mountains views.

However, Maleny is also perfect for a relaxing weekend away. Staying for two nights gives you more time to explore without rushing and to combine Maleny with nearby Montville and other parts of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Best Time to Visit Maleny

Maleny is a year-round destination, although spring and autumn offer comfortable temperatures for walking and exploring. Winter is cooler and is also platypus breeding season, which can increase your chances of spotting them in Obi Obi Creek. Summer is hot and humid but perfect for swimming at Gardners Falls, although weekends and school holidays can get busy.

Heading to the coast after Montville? Noosa is only a short drive away and is perfect for combining the hinterland with some beach time, coastal walks and beautiful scenery. Check out our Noosa guide for the best things to see and do.

How to Get to Maleny

Maleny is located in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, around 30 minutes’ drive from the coast and approximately 1.5 hours north of Brisbane.

The easiest way to visit is by car, particularly if you want to explore attractions outside the town centre such as Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Gardners Falls and the Maleny Botanic Gardens. Having your own car also makes it easy to combine Maleny with nearby Montville and other hinterland stops.

The drive into the hinterland is part of the experience, with winding country roads and some fantastic views along the way. Take your time and keep an eye out for the scenic lookouts as you approach Maleny.

Want to discover more of the Sunshine Coast beyond Maleny?

From lush rainforest and breathtaking mountain views to beautiful beaches and hidden local favourites, the Sunshine Coast has so much to explore.

My 14-day Sunshine Coast Escape brings together some of the region’s best experiences, with a relaxed day-by-day route, practical planning advice and personal recommendations from someone who lives here.

Explore my 14-day Sunshine Coast itinerary →

Where to stay in Maleny?

Spicers Tamarind Retreat

For a special hinterland escape, The Spicers Tamarind Retreat & Spa offers secluded villas surrounded by lush rainforest just outside Maleny. The peaceful setting, beautiful grounds and excellent on-site Tamarind Restaurant make it a great choice for a romantic weekend or a relaxing getaway. Some villas also feature private hot tubs and fireplaces, perfect for those cooler Maleny evenings. Find their current prices here.

Maleny Tropical Retreat

A peaceful Balinese-style retreat in a beautiful position between Maleny and Montville, overlooking rainforest, Obi Obi Creek and Lake Baroon. Rooms and villas have private decks, and many include fireplaces and spa baths. A great choice if you want the Hinterland setting without paying luxury-retreat prices. Find their current prices here.

Blue Summit Cottages

Four secluded adults-only cottages in the hills outside Maleny, with spectacular mountain and valley views. Most include a king bed, spa bath, fireplace, full kitchen and private veranda — perfect for enjoying the sunset with a glass of wine. More expensive, but a lovely choice if the view and accommodation are an important part of your stay. Find their current prices here.

Tranquil Park

Tranquil Park is located on the southern escarpment of Queensland’s beautiful Blackall Range, with stunning views of the magnificent Glass House Mountains. It’s one of the more affordable places to stay in Maleny if you want that incredible view of the Glasshouse Mountains! Find their current prices here.

Maleny FAQs

Is Maleny worth visiting?

Absolutely. Maleny is one of the highlights of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, with rainforest walks, waterfalls, beautiful Glass House Mountains views, local produce and plenty of places to eat and drink.

What is Maleny famous for?

Maleny is known for its lush green countryside, dairy farming, local produce, rainforest and spectacular views across the Glass House Mountains. It’s also a popular place to spot platypus in the wild.

Can you see platypus in Maleny?

Yes! Wild platypus live in Obi Obi Creek and can sometimes be spotted from the boardwalk and viewing platforms. Early morning and late afternoon are generally the best times to look, but sightings are never guaranteed.

Can you visit Maleny and Montville in one day?

Yes. Maleny and Montville are only around 15 minutes apart by car, so it’s easy to visit both in one day. If you have time, however, spending a full day around Maleny lets you explore at a more relaxed pace.

What can you do in Maleny for free?

Some of the best things to do in Maleny are free, including walking through Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, looking for platypus along Obi Obi Creek, visiting Gardners Falls and stopping at the many scenic viewpoints around the area.

Looking for more places to explore around Brisbane? From beautiful beaches and islands to lush rainforests, scenic mountain drives and charming country towns, there are plenty of incredible destinations just a short drive from the city.

Read more: Best Day Trips from Brisbane – 14 Amazing Places to Explore

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