Ocean views and hinterland hikes are all within reach of this Sunshine Coast town.
Hemmed in by rolling hinterland peaks and within easy reach of both Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast beaches, Maleny is ideally situated for a camping getaway. Once you’ve visited the region’s top attractions—Maleny Botanic Gardens, Bird World, and Australia Zoo are all must-dos—you can head out to hike in Maleny Forest Reserve and Kondalilla National Park, enjoy views of the Glass House Mountains, and cool off at Gardners Falls. This hinterland hub also has plenty of options for campers, too. Check into a caravan park or take your pick of Hipcamps, including rural cottages, farmstays, and glamping tents.
South of Maleny, the misty peaks of the Glass House Mountains provide dreamy vistas for hikers and campers, surrounded by forested foothills. Snag a Hipcamp near the Glass House Mountains National Park or Beerburrum State Forest and explore miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. Alternatively, the camping area at Beerwah State Forest has motorhome and caravan sites, and there’s bush camping at D’Aguilar National Park.
An about 30-minute drive from Maleny, the Sunshine Coast is one of Queensland’s flagship beach destinations, home to white-sand beaches, world-class surf spots, and lively seaside towns. Choose a holiday park or caravan park within walking distance of the beach around Caloundra, Mooloolaba, or Noosa, or head to Great Sandy National Park, where the 24 camping areas have beachside and riverside campsites suitable for campervans, camper trailers, or tents.
Maleny is the ideal basecamp for exploring the Sunshine Coast hinterlands, hopping between market towns like Kenilworth, Gympie, and Montville. Hike the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk through Mapleton Falls National Park, swim beneath the waterfalls at Kondalilla National Park, or head to Conondale National Park to camp along Booloumba Creek.
There are no prizes for guessing the weather along the Sunshine Coast, and the sun shines year-round in the hinterlands, too! With temperatures slightly cooler inland, Maleny makes a great spot to escape the heat in summer (it can still reach 30°C, though, so be prepared) or explore the outdoors in winter. Summer rains also make this the best time for admiring the region’s waterfalls. Visit on a Sunday to experience the popular Maleny Sunday Market.