Kondalilla Falls plunging 90 metres over Skene Creek in Kabi Kabi rainforest. Swimming pools at Gardners Falls. Mary Cairncross Reserve's panoramic Glass House Mountains lookout. The artisan villages of Maleny and Montville on the Blackall Range. A full day beyond the coast — guided, paced, unforgettable.
A Day Beyond the Coast
Escape the beaches for a day and discover the lush hinterland behind the Sunshine Coast. This fully guided day tour winds through the Blackall Range, taking in subtropical rainforest canopy at Kondalilla National Park, the swimming holes of Gardners Falls on Obi Obi Creek, and the artisan villages of Maleny and Montville — all with the dramatic backdrop of the Glass House Mountains' 11 volcanic peaks on the horizon.
Kondalilla Falls cascades 90 metres over Skene Creek, deep in the territory of the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) people — its name comes from the Aboriginal word for "rushing waters". You'll have your choice of walking options: the gentle 1.7km Picnic Creek Circuit to the rock pools at the top of the falls, or the more challenging 4.7km Kondalilla Falls Circuit descending to the valley below with 300+ stairs. Your expert local guide handles the driving and navigation; you just need to bring walking shoes, swimmers, and a sense of wonder.
The tour suits all ages and fitness levels. The waterfall walks follow well-maintained tracks (with shorter lookout-only options for those who'd rather take it easy), and the village stops are flat and leisurely. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve has 55 hectares of National Estate-listed rainforest with wheelchair-accessible boardwalks. Ideal for couples, families, photographers, and anyone who loves a good waterfall.
We've been running premium Sunshine Coast day tours from Brisbane and the Sunny Coast since 1989. Maximum 12 guests per departure means you'll never feel like a number — and our guides genuinely know the difference between a brush turkey and a king parrot.
Tour Highlights
Mary Cairncross Reserve · Kondalilla Falls · Maleny · Montville · Gardners Falls · Glass House Mountains
Your Tour Trail
Carefully paced — never rushed, never thin. Each stop chosen for its character, not its proximity.
Why Cooee Tours
35+ years of relationships with Sunshine Coast local operators, walking-track knowledge, and weather-reading instincts that turn a good day into an exceptional one.
Brisbane and Sunshine Coast locals who know every bird call, rainforest plant, and which café serves the best Maleny cheese platter.
No driving, no parking stress, no GPS-wrangling. Air-conditioned coach pickup and drop-off from Caloundra to Noosa.
Intimate group dynamics. You'll see, hear, and interact more — not lose your guide in a crowd of 40.
Choose the easy 1.7km Picnic Creek Circuit or the moderate 4.7km Kondalilla Falls Circuit at the main stop. Suits all fitness levels.
Mary Cairncross Reserve's 55 hectares of listed rainforest, plus Kondalilla National Park — proper protected areas, not gimmicks.
Light rain makes the rainforest sing. If conditions turn truly poor, your guide pivots to Maleny Botanic Gardens, galleries, or a Montville brewery.
You'll learn about Kabi Kabi / Gubbi Gubbi Country — the traditional owners of this land, and what "Kondalilla" actually means.
Australian Travel Industry Association accredited. Brisbane-based business since 1989 — three and a half decades of Queensland day-tour expertise.
Sample Itinerary
Approximate times — exact schedule varies slightly by pickup location and season. Pickups available from Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Caloundra, Coolum, Twin Waters, and Noosa.
Pickup from your Sunshine Coast accommodation in our air-conditioned coach.
Arrive at the 55-hectare National Estate-listed rainforest reserve. Take in the iconic Glass House Mountains lookout — sweeping views of the 11 volcanic peaks — then a short rainforest boardwalk (wheelchair accessible).
Scenic drive through Maleny and the upper Blackall Range.
Choose your walk: the easy Picnic Creek Circuit (1.7km, 45 minutes) to the rock pools at the top of the 90-metre falls, OR the moderate Kondalilla Falls Circuit (4.7km, 2 hours, 300+ stairs) descending the escarpment to the valley below. Both walks pass through Kabi Kabi Country subtropical rainforest with bunya pines, towering eucalypts, pademelons, brush turkeys, and king parrots.
Short scenic drive across the Blackall Range.
Lunch at your own pace from a choice of excellent local cafés. Browse Maleny Cheese, Maleny Food Co., Chocolate Country, galleries, and the Sunday Market (if it's a Sunday).
Across the range via the scenic Maleny–Montville Road.
Browse galleries, fudge makers, bookshops, and the famous Clock Shop in this heritage village at 420m elevation. Spectacular views east to the Sunshine Coast.
Scenic descent through Maleny back-roads.
Just a 300m flat walk from the car park to the rock pools on Obi Obi Creek. Swim, photograph, or relax on the rocks while your guide shares stories of the region. A genuine local favourite.
Return drive through the hinterland and back to the coast.
Door-to-door return to your hotel.
What You'll Experience
Follow rainforest trails to the 90-metre Kondalilla Falls cascading over Skene Creek. The Aboriginal name "Kondalilla" means "rushing waters" in the local Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) language. Spot pademelons, brush turkeys, king parrots, and the rare bunya pine along the boardwalk — one of only two natural habitats for this ancient tree species.
A local favourite, and for good reason — a series of rock pools and gentle cascades on Obi Obi Creek surrounded by towering gums, just 300m from the car park. Bring your swimmers for a dip or relax on the rocks while your guide shares the stories of the region.
Browse galleries, cheese shops (Maleny Cheese is a must), fudge makers, Chocolate Country, and bookshops in two of Queensland's most charming hinterland villages. Lunch at your own pace from a choice of excellent local cafés. The Sunday Market is undercover and runs rain or shine.
Pause at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve lookout for one of the Sunshine Coast's most iconic views — the 11 volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains rising above the subtropical canopy. The site is sacred to the Jinibara and Gubbi Gubbi peoples; Captain Cook named the peaks from sea in 1770.
What's Included
✦ Dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergens) easily accommodated by Maleny and Montville cafés — your guide can point you to the best matches.
Guest Reviews
Real reviews from guests who've done the Hinterland & Waterfalls Adventure with Cooee Tours.
The waterfalls were stunning and the guide knew every bird call and tree species along the trail. Kondalilla Falls absolutely took our breath away — photos don't do it justice.
We loved having the whole day planned for us. Maleny was a highlight — the cheese shop alone was worth the trip! Great value for a full-day tour and the small group meant we got proper attention from the guide.
Perfect mix of nature and village exploring. Gardners Falls was so peaceful, and the kids were in the water within seconds. We'd do this tour again in a heartbeat.
Questions?
Everything you need to know before booking the Hinterland & Waterfalls Adventure.
Approximately 8.5 hours, with pickup around 08:00 and drop-off around 16:45. Exact times vary slightly depending on your pickup location across the Sunshine Coast.
Kondalilla Falls cascades 90 metres over Skene Creek in Kondalilla National Park. The name "Kondalilla" comes from the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) Aboriginal word for "rushing waters" — apt when the falls are running after summer rain.
Yes — children of all ages are welcome. The waterfall walks are manageable for most school-aged kids, and the swimming at Gardners Falls is a big hit with families. Younger children should be carried on the steeper sections of the Kondalilla Falls Circuit (300+ stairs).
Yes at Gardners Falls — shallow rock pools on Obi Obi Creek, just 300m flat walk from the car park. Swimming is also possible at the top of Kondalilla Falls via the Picnic Creek Circuit (1.7km easy walk). Your guide will advise on conditions on the day, as creek levels vary with rainfall.
Light rain often makes the hinterland even more atmospheric — the rainforest comes alive. The tour proceeds in light rain, but if severe weather makes trails unsafe, your guide will adjust the itinerary with alternative stops such as the Maleny Botanic Gardens, local galleries, the Maleny Sunday Market (undercover), or a Montville brewery visit.
We offer door-to-door pickup and drop-off from most Sunshine Coast accommodation between Caloundra and Noosa, including Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Cotton Tree, Twin Waters, Coolum, Peregian Beach, and Noosaville. Please provide your hotel or address when booking.
The tour is rated easy to moderate. The Kondalilla Falls Circuit (4.7km, 300+ stairs) is the most challenging element, but a shorter Picnic Creek Circuit (1.7km, no stairs) option is available for those who prefer less walking. The village stops and Gardners Falls access (300m flat walk) are gentle and suitable for all fitness levels.
Pricing varies depending on group size, pickup location, and season. Please contact us on 0409 661 342 or via our enquiry form for current 2026 rates and availability.
Use the Enquire button on this page, call us on 0409 661 342, or email contact@waggiegroup.com. Full payment is required at the time of booking for day tours.
Your Complete Guide
The Blackall Range rises behind the Sunshine Coast, forming the mountain spine of the hinterland. Reaching elevations of over 500 metres, it's one of only two natural habitats for the ancient bunya pine tree species. Once heavily logged through to 1939, the range is now home to protected national parks, scenic lookouts, artisan villages, and some of Queensland's most spectacular waterfalls.
The Sunshine Coast hinterland sits on the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) people. The name "Kondalilla" comes from their language and means "rushing waters". The Glass House Mountains are also significant to the Jinibara people. These cultural connections inform every part of our tour.
The hinterland is excellent year-round. Spring (Sep–Nov) and autumn (Mar–May) offer ideal walking temperatures. Summer (Dec–Feb) brings the waterfalls to full flow after rain, and the swimming holes at Gardners Falls are at their best. Winter is crisp and clear with the Glass House Mountains in sharp definition. Brisbane's 2032 Olympics is bringing increased visitor interest to the wider Sunshine Coast region.
35+ years of Brisbane and Sunshine Coast operation. Maximum 12 guests per tour. ATAS accreditation. Two walking options at Kondalilla so the tour suits all fitness levels. Genuine cultural and ecological context — not just a checklist of stops. Door-to-door pickup, no driving, weather-adaptive routing if conditions change.
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