The Maleny Trail and Sunshine Coast Hinterland Walks
Discover the charms of Maleny on a self-guided walking tour.
The delightful Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Maleny lies in picture-postcard dairy country. Located high in the Blackall Range, just 90 minutes north of Brisbane, Maleny is renowned for its numerous scenic spots, sensational local produce, and vibrant arts and culture scene.
The walk starts from the Maleny Showground and takes you on a relaxing stroll where you’ll discover postcard-perfect outlooks from numerous viewing platforms, enchanting “Peace in the Trees” sculptures, the inspirational Poetry Sculpture Trail and the Cloud Walk Pathway. If you’re lucky, you may even see a platypus in the Obi Obi Creek.
The 6.7km walk is lined with more than 18,000 trees and native plants making it an ideal way to unwind and reconnect with nature. There are plenty of seats along the way if you need to catch your breath, as well as numerous picnic spots and BBQ areas.
Park in the Maleny Showgrounds and cross the Obi Obi Creek via the footbridge. Follow the banks along the boardwalk. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best time to spot Platypus. Step out onto the footpath and walk past the library, across the road and to the boardwalk at the back of the Riverside Centre. Follow the well signed trail along the creek, and around the golf course, then down Parklands Drive to retrace your steps. Dogs can be taken but must stay on lead. A delightful walk with over 54,000 trees planted along the trail.
The Maleny Trail
The Maleny Trail is a fabulous way to explore one of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s most delightful towns.
Other Walks
Maleny Northern Wetlands Trail
Walk thru a lovely wetlands area with bird life all around and the sound of frogs singing in your ears.
Kondalilla Falls
The walk to the top of the Falls, the Picnic Creek Circuit, is 2.4km, allow 45 minutes as the steps back up are quite steep. There is a natural pool and lush vegetation. The Kondalilla Falls Circuit descends to the valley below and up the other side. Allow 1 hour, the return track is strenuous.
Gardner’s Falls
Gardners Falls is a hidden gem in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Leave your vehicle in the car park on the banks of the Obi Obi Creek and take a short, level walk downstream to the falls.
Baroon Lookout
A great family walk up the side of the gorge to the lookout out across Obi Obi Creek as it heads north from the Baroon Dam and into the Blackall Range to join the Mary River.
Mary Cairncross Nature Reserve
One of the best remnants of subtropical rainforest in Australia with amazing views across to the Glasshouse Mountains and an excellent education centre. The Park has some very large trees which attract a rich variety of birds. Many rare and threatened tree species flourish in this park and the endangered Coxen’s Fig Parrot and Richmond Birdwing Butterfly have been seen.
