This tour has 4 hours of driving time. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland—our destination— is 1.5 hours drive north of Brisbane. Sometimes we can strike traffic on the return journey to Brisbane. Making a wonderful start to any journey is the view from the lookout of the Glass House Mountains. Study the signs at the lookout area to identify the various peaks of the well-known Glass House Mountains. Take an optional 800m stroll along the Glass House Mountains lookout track, which starts at one side of the day-use area and returns on the other side. This easy track takes you about 30 mins and is worth the time as it takes you along the side of the hill through open scribbly gum forest with grass trees, and down through a wet eucalypt forest gully with emergent rainforest species. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Glass House Mountains and surrounds from lookouts, then continue on the sometimes steep track through ironbark and tallowwood eucalypt forests back to the day-use area.

Offering the most spectacular views of the heritage listed Glass House Mountains, the Mary Cairncross Discovery Centre features an elevated viewing platform and the education centre with a combination of traditional interactive displays, multi-sensory experiences and exhibits. Though a remnant of the rainforests that once covered the Blackall Range, the Reserve is a living museum of diverse plant and animal life. The reserve is a Queensland icon with highly significant conservation values and has been a popular destination for residents and visitors for more than 50 years attracting about 200,000 people annually from around the country and overseas. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is committed to conserving and enhancing the natural habitat of the area, and providing a valued community resource for education, research, recreation and enjoyment. Listen to the striking call of the catbird and imagine yourself back in time as you walk through this stunning patch of remnant rainforest.

With its wide variety of goods and food experiences on offer, a trip to Maleny never disappoints. Located high in the Blackall Ranges is at the heart of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland. During the year Maleny is host to many events and festivals including the Maleny Music Weekend and the Maleny Wood Expo. Situated near the picturesque Glass House Mountains and inland from Caloundra the hills of Maleny support the local dairy industry. The surrounding countryside includes highlights such as Kondallilla Falls, Gardeners Falls, and Lake Baroon. The main street of Maleny is lined with bookstores, cafes, galleries and small traders with the local Maple Street Co-op offering a huge range of goods.

Perched on the Blackall Range, this quaint village is home to art galleries, cosy coffee shops and boutique stores where you’ll find everything from handmade beanies to one-off sculptures made by local artists. The drive to Montville offers spectacular scenery both west and east to the ocean. First settled in 1887, Montville is located close to the Kondalilla National Park. Hikers can access the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk from Montville – a trail that stretches 58 kilometres and offers panoramic views of the coast and hinterland.