The Sunshine Coast is famous for 150km of golden beach — but the real secret is what lies just 30 minutes inland. The Sunshine Coast hinterland rises over 500 metres above sea level into a mosaic of subtropical rainforest, rolling dairy country, and artisan villages that feel like they belong in the English countryside. The Brisbane to Montville drive was voted Queensland's 2nd best road trip by RACQ members, and the Blackall Range Tourist Drive regularly tops "best day trips from Brisbane" lists.
This guide covers the four definitive Sunshine Coast drives — from the iconic Blackall Range loop and Glass House Mountains circuit to the wild Noosa coastal run and the farm-fresh Mary Valley — with stops, food, timing, and everything you need to plan the perfect trip.
The 4 Essential Sunshine Coast Scenic Drives
These are the four drives that together define the Sunshine Coast experience — each taking a different cut through the coast's remarkable landscape contrast:
Most Popular
All Skill Levels
Blackall Range Tourist Drive (#23)
Queensland's most beloved hinterland drive threads through Maleny, Montville, Mapleton, and Flaxton — rising above the clouds with sweeping views of the Glass House Mountains and the distant Pacific. RACQ's #2 road trip in Queensland.
Full route guide →
Best for Hikers
Easy–Moderate
Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive (#24)
A circuit of 13 dramatic volcanic plugs rising from flat farmland — one of Queensland's most striking landscapes. Combine with a summit hike of Mt Ngungun or a visit to Australia Zoo at Beerwah.
Full route guide →
Coastal Classic
Easy
Noosa Coastal Loop
From Noosa's world-class national park headland walks to Noosaville's river cafés and Coolum's surf break — a laid-back loop showcasing the coast at its most characterful. Ends at Eumundi Markets (Wed & Sat).
Full route guide →
Off the Beaten Track
Easy–Scenic
Mary Valley Scenic Drive
Queensland's great food valley — a gentle meander through farmland, heritage villages, platypus-inhabited creeks, and farm-gate produce. Kandanga Kitchen's seasonal menu alone justifies the trip.
Full route guide →Blackall Range Tourist Drive — The Full Guide
Officially Tourist Drive #23, the Blackall Range Tourist Drive is the undisputed highlight of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Starting from Mooloolaba or Landsborough, the road climbs into the range and threads through four villages perched on the rim of the escarpment, with the Glass House Mountains spread out below and the Pacific Ocean glinting on the horizon.
Blackall Range Tourist Drive — Route Snapshot
Mooloolaba → Glass House Mountains → Maleny → Montville → Mapleton → Flaxton → coast
From Mooloolaba, join the Sunshine Motorway south, then Steve Irwin Way towards Landsborough — your gateway into the range. The road rises quickly into dairy country and subtropical rainforest before arriving at the first major stop: Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve on the edge of Maleny, a 55-hectare pocket of subtropical rainforest with a glass-fronted visitor centre and a panoramic Glass House Mountains lookout that is genuinely one of Queensland's great views.
From Maleny, the Maleny–Montville Road is the scenic heart of the drive — winding along the escarpment edge with glimpses of the coast far below. Montville (founded 1887) is the drive's cultural hub: a main street of heritage buildings housing coffee shops, galleries, cheese, fudge, and local art. A 10-minute detour west from Mapleton leads to Baroon Pocket Dam — a quiet reservoir good for swimming, kayaking, and kangaroo spotting. Return to the coast via Mapleton Falls National Park, where a short walk reaches a spectacular curtain waterfall and Wompoo Circuit viewpoint.
- Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Maleny
- Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World
- Montville village — cafés & galleries
- Mapleton Falls National Park
- Baroon Pocket Dam
- Kondalilla National Park
- Mapleton Lookout
- Flaxton — Flaxton Gardens
- Gardners Falls swimming hole
- Obi Obi Creek platypus walk
Montville Coffee on Main Street is repeatedly rated Queensland's best café outside Brisbane. Arrive before 10am on weekends to get a seat. Pair with the cheese platter from Maleny Cheese — a working dairy factory where you can watch cheese being made through a viewing window.
Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive
The Glass House Mountains are 13 volcanic plugs — ancient cores of long-eroded volcanoes — that rise dramatically from the flat hinterland plain between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Visible from as far away as Brisbane on a clear day, they're one of Queensland's most recognisable landscapes and are sacred to the Jinibara and Kabi Kabi peoples.
Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive — Route Snapshot
Landsborough → Glass House Villages → Mountain lookouts → Australia Zoo → Beerwah
Begin at Landsborough and follow Tourist Drive #24 signs north. Wild Horse Mountain Lookout near Beerwah provides the classic panoramic view of five peaks at once — Mt Beerwah, Mt Coonowrin (Crookneck), Mt Tibrogargan, Mt Ngungun, and Mt Beerburrum. For those wanting a physical challenge, the hike to the summit of Mt Ngungun is the most accessible (45 minutes return, moderate scramble) and rewards with outstanding 360° views. Mt Tibrogargan is more dramatic but steeper — allow 2–3 hours.
Australia Zoo at Beerwah — founded by Steve Irwin — is a natural inclusion on the same day: Australia's most celebrated wildlife park, with crocodile shows, koala encounters, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and the flagship Crocoseum. Book ahead; it's popular year-round.
- Wild Horse Mountain Lookout
- Mt Ngungun summit hike
- Glass House Mountains Lookout
- Australia Zoo, Beerwah
- Maleny–Glass House scenic link
- Glass House Mountains village
Noosa Coastal Loop
The Noosa Coastal Loop is the drive you do when you want sea air, world-class coffee, and a reminder of why people move to the Sunshine Coast. It connects Noosa Heads — one of Australia's most refined coastal towns — with the Noosa River estuarine villages, Coolum's surf beach, and finishes (on Wednesday or Saturday) at Eumundi Markets, the largest arts and crafts market in Australia.
Noosa Coastal Loop — Route Snapshot
Noosa Heads → Noosa National Park → Noosaville → Coolum → Eumundi (Wed/Sat)
Start at Noosa Heads and walk the Noosa National Park Coastal Trail before you do anything else — 2.7km one way along a clifftop path past sheltered coves where koalas doze in the trees and dolphins cruise below. Return via Hastings Street for breakfast, then drive along the Noosa River to Noosaville, where riverside cafés and paddleboard hire fill the late morning.
South to Coolum for a beach walk and lunch with surf views, then cut inland through Eumundi — a small town with an outsized market. Eumundi Markets (Wednesday and Saturday, 7am–2pm) feature over 600 stalls of handmade crafts, local produce, coffee, street food, and live music — budget two hours minimum. A short detour visits the Ginger Factory in Yandina, with factory tours, ginger beer, and confectionery tasting.
- Noosa National Park coastal trail
- Hastings Street, Noosa Heads
- Noosaville riverside cafés
- Coolum Beach
- Eumundi Markets (Wed & Sat)
- The Ginger Factory, Yandina
- Noosa Everglades kayak (add-on)
If you have a full day in Noosa, the Noosa Everglades kayak tour (departing from Noosaville) pairs perfectly with the afternoon coastal loop. Two of only two everglades systems on Earth — the glassy, tannin-dark waterways are unlike anything else in Queensland. Book ahead; small-group tours fill fast.
Mary Valley Scenic Drive
The Mary Valley Scenic Drive is the hinterland's best-kept secret — a pastoral meander through one of Queensland's great food bowls, where the Mary River winds through rich farmland flanked by the Conondale Range to the west. This is a drive for those who like to stop, eat something extraordinary, and look for platypus in the half-light of a creek.
Mary Valley Scenic Drive — Route Snapshot
Nambour/Noosa → Kenilworth → Kandanga → Mary River → Imbil → return
Head inland from Nambour or Eumundi through Conondale National Park's dramatic mountain backdrop. Kenilworth is the valley's main town — a heritage streetscape with the classic country pub (the Kenilworth Hotel, 1909), a famous cheese factory, and a general store that hasn't changed in decades. The Booloumba Falls Walk (3km return) in Conondale National Park lies just west — a rainforest creek walk ending at a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole.
Continue south to Kandanga for lunch at Kandanga Kitchen — a legendary farm-to-table restaurant whose ever-changing menu is dictated entirely by what's in season locally. Book weeks ahead. The nearby Mary River is one of the best places in southeast Queensland to spot platypus at dawn or dusk — Ride on Mary runs guided kayak tours with high success rates. Finish in Imbil at Lake Borumba before returning to the coast.
- Kenilworth Cheese Factory
- Kenilworth Hotel (1909)
- Booloumba Falls, Conondale NP
- Kandanga Kitchen (book ahead)
- Mary River platypus kayaking
- Lake Borumba, Imbil
- Artists Cascades walk
Food, Wine & Markets Along the Way
The Sunshine Coast hinterland punches far above its weight as a food destination. Here are the essential stops for anyone who eats with intention:
Montville Coffee
Repeatedly rated Queensland's best café. Specialty roasts, exceptional food, hinterland views.
Maleny Cheese Factory
Watch cheese being made through a viewing window. Tastings of local dairy varieties.
Brouhaha Brewery
Maleny's beloved craft brewery. Local ales, wood-fired pizza, relaxed beer-garden vibe.
Kandanga Kitchen
Hyper-seasonal farm-to-table menu in Mary Valley. Book weeks in advance — worth every day of waiting.
Eumundi Markets
Australia's biggest arts and crafts market — 600+ stalls, local produce, street food, live music.
Fudgyboombahs, Montville
70+ flavours of handmade fudge. A hinterland institution — impossible to drive past.
The Ginger Factory
Ginger beer, confectionery, factory tours, and a ride through the ginger fields for families.
Maleny Food Co.
Beloved local diner serving farm-fresh Sunshine Coast produce. Best breakfast in Maleny.
Suggested Itineraries: 1, 2 & 3 Days
1-Day Hinterland Classic (from Brisbane or the Coast)
Glass House Mountains Lookout & Maleny Arrival
Leave Brisbane by 7:30am. Stop at Wild Horse Mountain Lookout for the classic 5-peaks view of the Glass House Mountains as you arrive. Drive up into the range to Maleny — morning coffee at Maleny Food Co., then browse the galleries and cheese factory on Maple Street. Walk to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve for the panoramic Glass House Mountains view through the rainforest.
Montville Village & Mapleton Falls Sunset
Lunch at Montville Coffee (book ahead for weekends) — then explore the main street: Fudgyboombahs, galleries, and the view from the escarpment edge. Drive north to Mapleton Falls National Park for the short walk to the waterfall lookout — one of the best vistas on the drive, especially in golden-hour light. Return to coast or Brisbane via Nambour.
2-Day Hinterland & Coast (Stay in Maleny or Montville)
Full Blackall Range Loop
Complete the full Blackall Range Tourist Drive — Glass House Mountains, Maleny, Montville, Mapleton, Baroon Pocket Dam, Kondalilla National Park. Late afternoon swim at Gardners Falls. Check in to O'Reilly's in the hinterland or stay in Montville for dinner at one of the village restaurants.
Noosa National Park & Eumundi Markets (Wed/Sat)
Down to the coast for the Noosa Coastal Trail walk, lunch on Hastings Street, afternoon at Eumundi Markets (Wednesday or Saturday). Finish with sunset drinks at Noosaville's riverside — one of the Sunshine Coast's most relaxed evenings.
3-Day Complete Sunshine Coast Circuit
Glass House Mountains Hike + Maleny Village
Australia Zoo in the morning, then hike Mt Ngungun for the summit views. Afternoon in Maleny — Maleny Botanic Gardens, Obi Obi Creek platypus walk at dusk. Stay in Maleny.
Mary Valley Food Day — Kenilworth to Kandanga
Full day in Mary Valley: Kenilworth Cheese Factory, Booloumba Falls walk, lunch at Kandanga Kitchen (pre-booked). Afternoon kayak on the Mary River for platypus. Stay in Noosa or return to coast.
Noosa Coastal + Eumundi Markets + Everglades Kayak
Morning: Noosa National Park coastal trail. Late morning: Noosa Everglades kayak (guided, 4 hours). Afternoon: Eumundi Markets (if Saturday) or Ginger Factory in Yandina. Sunset at Noosa Main Beach before heading home.
Let Cooee Tours Plan Your Sunshine Coast Trip
Day tours, guided hinterland drives, and Noosa packages from Brisbane — take care of the logistics and just enjoy the drive.
Browse Sunshine Coast Tours →When to Go & Practical Tips
Best Season for Each Drive
Autumn (Mar–May)
Mild temperatures, lush post-wet green landscapes, fewer crowds. Ideal for all hinterland drives.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Sunshine Coast's best-kept secret — crisp mornings, warm sunny days (22°C), beach mostly to yourself.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Wildflowers in the hinterland, waterfalls running strong, excellent wildlife spotting. Very popular season.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Fuller waterfalls and swimming holes in the hinterland. Warm coastal weather. Peak crowds — book ahead.
Practical Driving Tips
- All four drives are 100% sealed — no 4WD required. Standard 2WD vehicles are fine for every route on this page, including all hinterland and waterfall detours.
- Avoid Queensland school holidays for the Maleny–Montville stretch — it gets genuinely gridlocked on long weekends. Book any restaurant in advance if visiting during holidays.
- Eumundi Markets operate Wednesday and Saturday only (7am–2pm). Plan your itinerary accordingly — it's one of the best reasons to include Noosa, and disappointing to miss it by a day.
- Kandanga Kitchen requires advance booking. Check availability and book weeks ahead — the restaurant operates only a few sittings and uses a tight seasonal roster. It's been named one of Queensland's best regional restaurants.
- Dawn and dusk are prime wildlife time. Platypus on Obi Obi Creek (Maleny) and the Mary River, koalas along the Noosa National Park coastal trail, and kangaroos near Baroon Pocket Dam — all most active in the half-light.
- Fuel up in Maleny, Kenilworth, or Noosa Heads before heading deeper into the hinterland. Petrol stations thin out considerably west of Maleny toward Conondale and Mary Valley.
- Mobile coverage is good on all routes but drops in deep gullies between Conondale and Kenilworth. Download offline maps if doing the Mary Valley drive solo.
The Maleny–Montville corridor is one of the busiest day-trip corridors from Brisbane, particularly on sunny winter weekends. Parking on Montville's main street fills by 10am. Consider arriving before 9am, or visit on a weekday. The Mapleton and Flaxton end of the range is always quieter — start there if the main villages are crowded.
Quick Reference: All Drives at a Glance
| Drive | Distance | Duration | Highlights | From Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackall Range (#23) | ~150km loop | Full day | Maleny, Montville, Mapleton Falls, waterfalls | ~1 hr to Maleny |
| Glass House Mountains (#24) | ~80km circuit | Half–full day | Volcanic peaks, Mt Ngungun hike, Australia Zoo | ~1 hr to Landsborough |
| Noosa Coastal Loop | ~60km loop | Half–full day | NP coastal trail, Eumundi Markets, river cafés | ~1.5–2 hrs to Noosa |
| Mary Valley Scenic | ~120km | Full day | Kandanga Kitchen, platypus, Booloumba Falls | ~1.5 hrs to Kenilworth |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Blackall Range Tourist Drive?
The Blackall Range Tourist Drive (Tourist Drive #23) is the Sunshine Coast's most celebrated scenic road — a 150km loop that climbs from the coast into the hinterland range, threading through the villages of Maleny, Montville, Mapleton, and Flaxton at over 500 metres elevation. The drive is known for panoramic views of the Glass House Mountains and the distant Pacific Ocean, subtropical rainforest, waterfalls, and exceptional food.
It can be started from Mooloolaba (south) or Noosa (north), and is easily completed as a day trip from Brisbane (Maleny is about 90 minutes from Brisbane's CBD). The Brisbane to Montville leg was voted Queensland's 2nd best road trip by RACQ members.
Can you do the Sunshine Coast hinterland as a day trip from Brisbane?
Yes — the Sunshine Coast hinterland is one of the best day trips from Brisbane. Key distances: the Glass House Mountains are 1 hour from Brisbane's CBD; Maleny is about 90 minutes; Montville around 100 minutes; Noosa about 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.
A day trip covering Glass House Mountains Lookout, Maleny, and Montville is very achievable leaving Brisbane by 7:30–8am and returning by 6pm. The Blackall Range loop can be done comfortably in one day from Brisbane if you start early.
What is the best time to visit the Sunshine Coast hinterland?
The Sunshine Coast hinterland is genuinely beautiful year-round, but the sweet spots are:
Winter (June–August): The Sunshine Coast's best-kept secret — crisp, clear mornings with warm sunny days around 22°C. Smaller crowds than summer, waterfalls still running from earlier rains, and perfect driving conditions. Highly recommended.
Autumn (March–May) and Spring (September–November): Shoulder seasons with mild temperatures, lush green landscapes, and the hinterland at its most photogenic. Avoid Queensland school holidays within these periods for the quietest experience.
Summer (December–February): Peak crowds but full waterfalls and swimming holes. Pre-book all restaurants and accommodation.
Do I need a 4WD for the hinterland drives?
No. All four scenic drives described in this guide — the Blackall Range Tourist Drive, Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive, Noosa Coastal Loop, and Mary Valley Scenic Drive — are 100% sealed and accessible in any standard 2WD vehicle. A 4WD gives no benefit on these routes.
The only area where a 4WD opens extra access is the very remote Conondale National Park tracks (beyond the main sealed road) and some very minor forest access roads. All the highlights mentioned in this guide are accessible in a standard car.
What are the best lookouts on the Sunshine Coast hinterland?
The top hinterland viewpoints, in order of spectacle:
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (Maleny): Panoramic Glass House Mountains view framed by subtropical rainforest. Best in morning light — the visitor centre café makes a wonderful backdrop.
Mapleton Lookout: Sweeping coastal view from high on the range — on a clear day you can see from Bribie Island to Noosa. Worth the short stop off the Tourist Drive.
Wild Horse Mountain Lookout (Beerwah): Best place to photograph all five major Glass House Mountain peaks simultaneously — especially atmospheric at sunrise or sunset.
Dulong Lookout (near Nambour): Overlooking Maroochydore and the coast; less visited and always quiet.
Gerrard Lookout (Maleny–Montville Road): Small but perfectly framed view of the hinterland from the escarpment edge.
Is Eumundi Markets worth visiting and when does it operate?
Absolutely — Eumundi Markets is widely regarded as Australia's best arts and crafts market. Over 600 stalls of handmade goods, local produce, street food, live music, and a genuinely community atmosphere that has survived decades of popularity without losing its character.
Operating days: Wednesday (7am–1:30pm) and Saturday (7am–2pm). The Saturday market is significantly larger — approximately double the stalls. The Wednesday market is quieter and more relaxed, making it perfect for weekday visitors.
Allow 2–3 hours minimum to walk the full market. The Imperial Hotel across the road is a good spot for lunch once you're done.
Where should I eat on the Sunshine Coast hinterland?
The hinterland's food scene is exceptional. Unmissable stops:
Montville Coffee (Montville): Queensland's best café, full stop. Book ahead for weekends or arrive early.
Kandanga Kitchen (Mary Valley): One of Australia's great regional restaurants — hyper-seasonal, farm-sourced, genuinely extraordinary. Weeks-ahead booking essential.
Maleny Food Co. (Maleny): Best breakfast in the hinterland; farm-fresh produce, welcoming locals, excellent coffee.
Brouhaha Brewery (Maleny): Craft ales brewed on-site with wood-fired pizza — ideal lunch stop on the Blackall Range.
Fudgyboombahs (Montville): 70+ flavours of handmade fudge. A tradition — leave with a bag of the salted caramel.
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