There’s a version of a hinterland weekend that goes well beyond misty mornings and rainforest walks. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is quietly one of Queensland’s most impressive food and wine regions, and if you know where to go, three days barely scratches the surface.
This itinerary is built for couples and food lovers who want to eat well, drink beautifully, and discover the artisan makers and producers who call this region home. Use it as a guide, adapt it to suit your pace, and come back to Lovestone each evening to a fireplace, a spa bath, and a gourmet breakfast hamper waiting for the morning.
Day 1
Cheese and Vineyards: Maleny
- Morning: Maleny’s Artisan Food Scene
Start your first day in Maleny, a thriving village about 20 minutes from Lovestone with a food scene that punches well above its size.
Maleny Food Co and Maleny Cheese are the obvious first stops. Maleny has long been known for its dairy country, and the local cheesemakers here produce award-winning varieties you genuinely won’t find anywhere else. Take your time, sample widely, and stock up on a good cheese board to take back to your cottage.
The town itself is worth a wander too. Maleny has a strong independent retail culture and a genuine sense of community — browse the bookshops, the providores, and the local boutiques before the day’s eating begins in earnest.
- Afternoon: Visit local vineyards
Enjoy a tasting flight at Clouds at Maleny – A stunning barrel-shaped venue showcasing South East Queensland wines alongside local craft beer and generous cheese platters, or settle in for a long lunch at Flame Hill Vineyard.
Flame Hill Vineyard is one of the hinterland’s standout dining experiences. Set among rolling views across the valley, a long lunch here is exactly the kind of afternoon you drove up from the city to have. The wine list focuses on their own estate varieties alongside carefully chosen Australian bottles, and the kitchen makes the most of local seasonal produce.
Be sure not to miss: A slow drive back through the Maleny ranges as the afternoon light drops over the valley.
Day 2
Gallery Stroll and Lakeside Dining: Montville
- Morning: The Montville Art Trail
Day two belongs to Montville, and specifically to the village’s thriving artisan and gallery scene.
The Montville Art Trail winds through a collection of working studios, galleries, and boutique shops that make this one of Queensland’s most concentrated arts precincts. The work here spans painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, and handcrafted homewares, and unlike many tourist towns, the quality is genuinely high.
Give yourself the whole morning. It’s easy to spend two or three hours moving between spaces, talking to artists, and finding pieces you didn’t know you were looking for.
- Afternoon: Lakeside Lunch and Chocolate
For lunch, Secrets on the Lake is one of the hinterland’s most special experiences. Perched over the water among the treetops, this treehouse restaurant offers one of the most atmospheric dining rooms in Queensland. Book ahead, it fills, particularly on weekends.
After lunch, Chocolate Country in Montville is the obvious next stop. Handcrafted chocolates made from quality couverture, truffle collections, seasonal flavours, and the kind of tasting experience that makes it very difficult to leave without a bag of something. A box of Chocolate Country truffles back at the cottage is the perfect way to end your evening
Day 3
Distilleries & Pub Heritage: Woombye & Mapleton
- Morning: Sunshine & Sons Distillery
Your final morning takes you down from the hills to Woombye, home of Sunshine & Sons Distillery, one of Australia’s most awarded craft spirit producers.
The distillery offers tours and tastings of their range, which includes their signature gin and vodka alongside seasonal and limited releases. The team here are genuinely passionate about what they make, and a tasting session with them is as educational as it is enjoyable. Their spirits have won international recognition, and tasting them at the source, surrounded by the copper stills and the story behind the bottles, is an experience you won’t want to miss.
- Afternoon: A Pub Dinner Worth the Drive
End your three days the way all good food itineraries should, at a proper pub.
The Mapleton Public House is one of the hinterland’s most beloved heritage venues. The building has history, the atmosphere has warmth, and the kitchen takes the pub dinner to new heights using local produce and considered cooking for a meal you won’t forget.
Making the Most of It
Staying at Lovestone Cottages
The Food, Wine & Artisan Itinerary works beautifully when you’re based at Lovestone Cottages in Montville. We’re perfectly positioned for everything on this list, Maleny is 20 minutes west, Woombye and Mapleton are 20–30 minutes east, and Montville’s Art Trail, Secrets on the Lake, and Chocolate Country are essentially at your door.
Come home each evening to a wood fireplace, a spa bath for two, and your own private rainforest deck. Your gourmet breakfast hamper arrives each morning, locally sourced and ready to fuel the next day’s exploring.
Our three private adults-only cottages, Maple, Rosewood, and Quandong are available for two-night stays from $1,190, with curated packages from $1,785 that include champagne on arrival, dinner delivered to your cottage, and a couples massage.
Book directly at lovestonecottages.com.au, or get in touch at escape@lovestonecottages.com.au to find the right package for your stay.
