Day Tour from Accommodation Noosa, Queensland, to the Blackall Range Towns of Mapleton, Montville and Maleny

While you are staying in accommodation in Noosa, there is a glorious day trip that has primarily been designed to cater for tourists looking for a nice half day or full day trip to the hinterland. It involves about 2.5 hours driving time plus whatever time is taken to explore the various attractions.

Introduction

One could spend several days exploring all the things to do and see on the Blackall Ranges in the hinterland of Noosa but not all tourists have that amount of time available. It is certainly worth considering staying a few days either on the range or in accommodation on the Sunshine Coast. This guide has been written to provide you with a good selection of the attractions of the area and a great day out in absolutely stunning surroundings. The views from the range span the entire Sunshine Coast from Caloundra in the south to Noosa in the north. It caters for all tourist tastes with an eclectic range of wineries, galleries, craft shops, restaurants, cafes and more.

Starting From Your Noosa Accommodation

After starting out from your accommodation in Noosa take the road to the historic village of Eumundi. If you are passing through on a Wednesday or a Saturday, you really must spend an hour or more visiting the famous Eumundi Markets, the biggest in Australia with about 600 stalls. When leaving Eumundi, follow the road signs to The Bruce Highway and Brisbane.

Stop at Yandina

About 10 minutes after leaving Eumundi, take the Yandina exit and follow the signs to The Ginger Factory.

- Very good shop with the world’s largest variety of processed ginger;

- Tours of the factory and processing plant;

- Train rides round the property; (recommended for adults as well as children!)

- Small motor museum plus other shops with porcelain dolls, sweets etc

- Adventure tour for children with The Gingerbread Man on Overboard.

Cross the road to the Macadamia Nut Factory immediately opposite the Ginger Factory. View the processing plant operating when in season and sample these delicious Queensland nuts.

Blackall Range Tourist Drive - Mapleton/Montville/Maleny

From the Ginger Factory, get back onto the Bruce Highway heading toward Brisbane. Take the Nambour exit, also signposted to the Blackall Range Tourist Drive and the towns of Mapleton/Montville/Maleny. .

General Information

The range provides a beautiful scenic drive with superb coastal and valley views. There are lots of lookouts, restaurants, galleries, wineries, cheese tastings, craft shops, antique galleries and more. A tourist’s delight! The following are some of my favourite stopping places:

Mapleton

Mapleton Falls

You can drive right up to these bridal veil falls with great views down the valley. Follow the road sign on the right as you enter Mapleton.

If you are a chocoholic, you can’t avoid visiting Criollo’s Coffee Shop for chocolates or a Hot Chocolate you will never forget! There is a great little Fish & Chip shop around the corner near the lake.

Super children’s playground in the lake park that features a flying fox.

Flaxton

Kondallila Falls

Well signposted off to the right near Flaxton. Absolutely fabulous water falls and well worth the 25 minute walk through lovely rainforest to get there. Look for the Goannas, Kookaburras and lots of bird life. Take your swimmers with you as there is a swimming pool underneath the falls.

Le Relais Bressan

A lovely, genuine French restaurant with good food at reasonable prices. Small French motor museum attached. Nice café adjacent with a nursery and model English village.

Montville

I describe this to friends as being similar to a Swiss Mountain Village. Very touristy but full of charm and worth at least an hour to wander round the craft shops.

When entering Montville, stop at the first row of shops on the left hand side called the Mayfield Centre. Superb views from the rear of the shops. Good food at the café.

Poets Café in Montville is excellent for lunch or coffee. – located in the hollow as you drive through the village.

Leave the town heading for Maleny. The Green Frog Gallery is located on your right just before the T intersection where you make a right hand turn to Maleny.

Stop at the Maleny Cheese Factory just a few meters past the gallery for a super cheese platter and a glass of local wine.

At the T intersection 500m past the cheese factory, turn left then turn right into Mountain View Road.

Visit Mary Cairncross Park on your right – excellent botanic gardens

Lookouts further along with great views of the Glasshouse Mountains.

Maleny

If time permits, wander through the township of Maleny. A nice country town.

Return Trip

Rather than return to your holiday accommodation in Noosa by the same route, head back toward Montville but turn right at the Palmwoods/Woombye road before entering the village. Nice views as you zig-zag down the escarpment. Rejoin the highway north signposted to Gympie, by following the signs.

Alternatively, continue on through Maleny taking the road to Kenilworth and follow the signs to take you back home through Eumundi. Nice country drive.

This is a majestic day trip to embark upon when you are feeling the effects of too much sun, or the weather is not beach friendly, or you are just suffering from a little cabin fever. Most managers of accommodation Noosa, Australia, will be able to provide you with a tourist map to guide you along the way.