Explore Montville & Maleny
Welcome to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, a perfect holiday destination just a 90-minute drive from Brisbane and 30 minutes from Maroochydore!
Montville and the Hinterland offer something for everyone (no surprise this area is one of Queensland’s best holiday destinations). Far from the hustle and bustle, Montville is a place to switch gears, unwind and explore food, wine, art and nature.
While Montville is an ideal weekend escape, it also offers enough to keep you busy for much longer. Lovestone Cottages is popular throughout the year. Be sure to make your booking soon to avoid missing out.
A few of our favourite attractions are just a short drive from Montville, Maleny and Kondalilla Falls.
One of the most popular Montville activities is a drive through the rolling hills of the hinterland. Maleny, Flaxton, Mapleton and Kenilworth are a short drive away, and the Blackall Range Tourist Drive is one of the Sunshine Coast’s best scenic drives. For endless picturesque scenery and quaint towns, follow the Route 23 signs.
Weekend markets are a Montville must-do! Wake up early and hit the charming Montville Growers & Makers Market or Witta Markets. We’ll let you know which markets are on when you check in.
Looking for beaches? The Sunshine Coast’s golden beaches are just a 30-minute drive away (for Maroochydore) and the world-famous beach resort of Noosa is one hour away.
Other day trips from Montville are the famous Eumundi Markets, held every Sunday and Wednesday and a visit to the Glass House Mountains. Some of the Sunshine Coast’s best attractions like Australia Zoo, The Ginger Factory and Underwater World are within easy reach from Lovestone Cottages.
Things To Do For Foodies
Montville’s rich soils and temperate climate provide an ideal growing environment, and the region is known for locally produced avocados, strawberries, macadamia nuts and cheese. For generations, Montville has attracted artisans, orchardists and restaurateurs, and today, you will find fresh seasonal, local produce on the menu at many of Montville’s restaurants.
Cafés
Priscilla’s Gallery Original Art Work, Cakes, Coffee & Teas
Previously loved as Camphor Cottage Café, Priscilla’s Gallery is a relaxing place to stop and refuel on delicious sweet and savoury treats. Enjoy the hinterland and cool off at their shady outdoor tables.
Little May Espresso serves smashing coffee including espresso and cold drip. Fresh, local produce goes into all their baked sweets and light lunches. You’ll find Little May in the heart of Montville on Main Street.
Sarah’s Unplugged is a family-owned cafe located in the heart of Maleny. Everything is house-made from fresh and local produce, and there are delicious gluten-free and vegan meal options available.
Restaurants
Also known as the Montville Pub, a friendly, family-owned place to grab a delicious meal and listen to live music. Set in a Tudor-style building, with a lush beer garden.
Artisan pizzas with gourmet toppings and delicious homemade gelato served in a laid-back venue with a roomy deck.
Located just up the road from Lovestone Cottages, Flame Hill Vineyard is the ultimate paddock-to-plate experience. The restaurant and terrace are open for lunch Monday to Sunday 12pm until 3pm and offer views over the vines to the coast. Flame Hill produces 100% estate-grown wines, hand-harvested and sourced from plantings up to 80 years old.
Located within the spectacular grounds of Spicer’s Clovelly Estate, The Long Apron loves to take diners on a “gastronomic journey”. The restaurant has received two Chef Hats from Australia Good Food Guide. The perfect excuse to indulge in an intimate tasting menu for two. Bookings are essential.
Another Spicer’s experience, The Tamarind is located a short drive from Lovestone Cottages in nearby Maleny. The Tamarind is multi-award winning Thai dining set in stunning rainforest surrounds. The menu effortlessly combines sweet, sour and spicy flavours with fresh local produce to take Asian cuisine to the next level.
Handmade Goods
If it’s chocolate you’re after, this is the place for you. Delicious artisan chocolate creations on Montville’s Main Street. Chocolate Country is famous for its delightfully delicious handmade chocolates, fudge and mouthwatering Belgian praline.
Montville’s home of fudge offers a selection of 65 different fudges and nougats, painstakingly made by hand on the premises. The friendly staff will happily help you select something from the fudge cabinet or the wide range of confectionery. We bet you’ll find a few favourites you haven’t seen since you were a child.
Local Producers
A family-run dairy, producing multi-award-winning dairy products using milk from four local Maleny farms. Visit the cafe and cheesery for tastings and sales and see how the cheese is made. Open daily.
Kenilworth Dairies is open every day for you to sample its magnificent cheese, yoghurt and mousse products. Enjoy coffee, a snack, lunch or a handmade ice cream in Poppa’s Café. Shop for local gourmet delights in the cellar door shop. Enjoy the picturesque drive to Kenilworth.
Things To Do For Nature Lovers
Montville is surrounded by vast national parks where tall eucalypts meet lush rainforest species. In 1906, Kondalilla Falls was declared a Recreational Area and became a National Park in 1945. Since then, more areas of forest have been turned into National Park highlighting the significance of the flora, fauna and geology of the area. From Lovestone Cottages, you are only a 10-minute drive from exploring the magnificent Kondalilla National Park.
One of the Sunshine Coast’s best-loved scenic reserves. Take a walk through the rainforest and discover natural rock pools and the spectacular 90-metre-tall Kondalilla Falls.
At Mapleton Falls, the Wompoo Circuit is easy-walking and about 1.3 km long. The lookout has a panoramic view across the Mary Valley. Back in Mapleton, stop at La Botiga for a frittata.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Escape into the rainforest at Mary Cairncross Reserve. Follow one of the trails through the trees and there’s a good chance you’ll spot the resident pademelons (small kangaroo-like marsupial). A fabulous discovery centre and café with views to the Glass House Mountains.
The Blackall Range encompasses the National Parks of Kondalilla, Mapleton Falls and Mapleton. The Blackall Range holds spiritual significance for traditional owners, the Jinibara People. Visitors to Blackall Range will find an area where remnant forests, waterfalls blackbutt and scribbly gum forests provide essential habitats for native wildlife.
Things To Do For Shoppers
Lovestone Cottages is just 3 kilometres from Montville’s Main Street, giving you easy access to cafés, unique shops, restaurants, and the famous art galleries of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Far from the humdrum of big chain stores, shopping in Montville offers a charming and sometimes quirky offering of boutique, artisan and craft stores (don’t miss the Cuckoo Clock Shop if you want something unique).
Palmwoods is a 10-minute drive from Montville and a great place to go for casual shopping.
Along Little Main Street, you’ll find a collection of shops and cafes with a relaxed, community feel.
Markets
The popular Maleny Markets are held every Sunday and offer a good selection of food, coffee, collectables and arts and crafts.
Every Sunday along Maple St, Maleny QLD 4552
Amble through The Lost Treasure Market on Maple Street in Maleny.
Every Wednesday and Saturday you can catch the world-famous Eumundi Markets.
Book Shops
If you love books, you’ll probably want to move in and live in this bookstore. Grab a coffee and soak up the bookstore vibe and its collection of esoteric magazines. You’ll find Rosetta on the main street of Maleny, just up from the IGA.
Maleny’s second-hand book shop is found opposite Rosetta Books. You’ll find a great range, really well-organised with good window displays (and the books smell fresh!).
Maleny Bookshop is known as a place for “very interesting books”. Specialising in rare and out-of-print books and tomes to make you look smart and philosophical.
Things To Do For Art Lovers
What can we say? Montville and Maleny are arty towns! You don’t have to go far to find an art gallery in Montville. Whether you’re walking down Main Street or doing a scenic drive, you’ll find an endless supply of original art, unique ceramics, woodwork and sculptures.
Far from the humdrum of big chain stores, shopping in Montville offers a charming and sometimes quirky offering of boutique, artisan and craft stores (don’t miss the Cuckoo Clock Shop if you want something unique).
Palmwoods is a 10-minute drive from Montville and a great place to go for casual shopping.
Along Little Main Street, you’ll find a collection of shops and cafes with a relaxed, community feel.
Galleries in Montville
Located in a beautiful rainforest setting and home to many Australian contemporary artists.
Montville Woods showcases the skills of talented local wood artisans, selling handmade timber bowls, grazing platters, cheese boards, homewares, jewellery boxes, wedding albums and gifts.
Unique artisan and handmade artworks, ceramics, homewares and the perfect place to find a special gift. A beautiful retail store and gallery at the top of the hill on Main Street.
Main Street Gallery is home to some of Australia’s most original contemporary artists. An eclectic mix of modern landscapes, figurative and abstract painting, prints, ceramics, glass, sculpture and jewellery all predominately produced by local artists.
Galleries in Maleny
Located on the Landsborough-Maleny Road, Art on Cairncross offers a fine collection of paintings, ceramics, glass and sculpture.
An artists’ cooperative gallery on Maple Street, with an interesting collection of art including affordable small pieces. Very relaxing place to browse.
A good place to find unique and affordable work from local artists. Located next door to Rosetta Books on Maleny’s main street.
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