Sunshine Coast - Hinterland trail

Exploration of the Sunshine Coast hinterland is best started at Caboolture on the old Gympie Road; once a major stopping place on the trip north. Bankfoot House under the shadow of Mount Beerwah is a remnant of the coaching days when travellers headed to Gympie to try their luck on the gold fields. Continue north to Beerwah township. Taking the scenic route allows time to appreciate the Glass House Mountains en-route to Peachester. Pause at the 1915 cattle dip, near the tennis courts.

Travel north through Crohamhurst, where a (now disused) weather station was once the source of our long-range weather forecasts. Traverse the hills to Maleny and enjoy the hospitality of this picturesque village on the Blackall Range; once a timber town, later dominated by dairying. Its economy is now based on tourism and relaxed rural residential living.

From Maleny, you may like to take a western detour through the hills and down to Conondale. The Conondale National Park has camping areas either side of Booloumba Creek, just south of Kenilworth. Kenilworth Homestead, on the Mary River, is the site of a camping and outdoor education centre, with the historic homestead occupied by the manager. The homestead is not accessible to visitors, but you can camp or rent a vintage caravan along the riverbank within the spacious grounds. Continue on the Obi Obi Road to Mapleton.

Alternately, stay on in Maleny with a range of accommodation and dining options. Fairview House, previously a dairy property, overlooks the golf course. It is open monthly and is being restored as a house museum. The road north to Montville has spectacular views to the coast. The Montville Memorial Precinct includes a chapel, war memorial gates and community halls and is adjacent to a range of cafes and craft shops. West of Montville is Baroon Pocket Dam. A five minute drive north of Montville, is the Kondalilla National Park and waterfall. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk trail links Baroon Pocket Dam and the Kondalilla Falls with Flaxton and Mapleton National Park.

Mapleton also had its origins in the timber industry, and like the other Blackall Range towns, turned to fruit and vegetable production and dairying. Enjoy a short walk to the Mapleton Falls, before driving down the mountain to Nambour.

Nambour was once the centre of the sugar industry, with the Moreton Central Mill taking pride of place in town. All that remains are the rail lines for the cane trains and the some of the housing provided for staff. The mill site is now home to a large shopping centre.