EAT, EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE Near Hovard Guest House.
Australia Zoo is a team of passionate conservationists working around-the-clock to deliver an animal experience like no other. Steve and Terri Irwin s vision has always been to make Australia Zoo the biggest and best wildlife conservation facility in the entire world, and there is no other zoo like Australia Zoo!
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is 55 acres of subtropical rainforest overlooking the Glass House Mountains. A remnant of the rainforests that once covered the Blackall Range, the Reserve is a living museum of diverse plant and animal life. There are several tranquil walking tracks, boardwalks and viewing platforms where you can soak up the natural beauty and read information about various species. There`s also an education centre and a number of picnic tables that offer breathtaking views of the Glass House Mountains for your picnic or barbecue. Listen to the striking call of the catbird and imagine yourself back in time as you walk through this stunning patch of remnant rainforest. It s a wonderful place to take the kids for an adventure - or the perfect spot for a quiet, romantic stroll
Meander through some of the most exquisite gardens in Queensland featuring a panorama of waterfalls, ponds and colourful plantings, idyllic rainforest surroundings and views of the spectacular Glass House Mountains at Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World. Bring a picnic to enjoy by one of the many lakes or lounge under a tree with a good book and soak up the peace and serenity. Devonshire cream teas are available to paying garden visitors as well as those who aren’t up to a walk on the day but need a treat in a beautiful setting. Make time to visit the aviary and enjoy a fascinating presentation on the colourful native and exotic birds who are very likely to land on your shoulder.
Maleny Food Co are one of our trusted supply partners, who are a supplier of quality artisan foods and based in the very heart of Maleny. They are known for their fromagerie stocked with hundreds of gourmet cheeses and the delicious range of food that they serve in their deli style store. Their signature gelato and sorbet has achieved critical acclaim and consistently wins Australian industry awards. Our guests have often popped in for lunch or ordered a cheese platter for a picnic and the feedback has always been the same …. Amazing! We are also happy to organise cheese platters for our guests of Silent Hope Cottages.
A Tour Guide will take you to see the baby farm animals, the milking shed to see where the cows are milked and on weekdays to the factory to see our products being processed and bottled. You`ll also visit our "Moovie" Hut to watch "The full process of milk from the cow to the bottle". The tour concludes with taste testing some of our award winning products. All ages Farm & Factory Tours 6 days a week - closed Sunday & Public Holidays.
The Sunshine Coast Hintlerland is a creative hub and you’ll discover quality art galleries and studios featuring works from established and emerging artists. Art on Cairncross is a fine art gallery displaying original art by artists from the Sunshine Coast and from around Australia. As well as very collectable paintings, you can purchase glass, porcelain, bronze and ceramics as well as jewellery and unique gifts. Visit the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Art Trail for more information. The local markets held each Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm also have an eclectic range of locally produced arts and crafts, antiques and collectables and handcrafted jewellery.
If you`re looking for a premium dining experience in Maleny then look no further than The Tamarind - the fully licensed, in-house restaurant at Spicers Tamarind Retreat specialising in modern Asian cuisine. The Tamarind’s menu effortlessly combines sweet, sour and spicy flavours with fresh local produce to create original and innovative dishes that almost look too good to eat. From the whole cooked barramundi to the signature crispy duck - every meal is a masterpiece. If you`d like to replicate these Thai creations in your own kitchen, then book yourself in at the cooking school. Rory Thorpe hosts intimate classes of up to 12 people with five hours of cooking, lunch, wine, signature apron and full recipes included.
Stop in at Maleny Mountain Wines to sample a range of reds, whites, fortified and dessert wines from Australia and around the world. The friendly staff will find the perfect wine for your palate or the best drop for your celebration, picnic or BYO dining. If you prefer beer, make a pit stop at Brouhaha Brewery for some boutique brews and views. It`s a cracker of a micro-brewery featuring 12 kinds of amber goodness for your beer-drinking pleasure. There`s everything from stout (try the coffee milk stout) to pale ale. Food is fresh and locally sourced and the service is super friendly. TIP: graze on a ploughman`s platter - made up of delectable local cheeses, smoked meats and pickles.
The Glass House Mountain peaks are a distinctive landmark in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Craggy peaks tower over a scenic patchwork of pine plantations, bushland and cultivated fields. Many of the peaks are protected in Glass House Mountains National Par, and are listed on the Queensland and National Heritage Register as a landscape of national significance. Named by Lieutenant James Cook during his epic voyage along Australia`s east coast, the Glass House Mountains are intrusive plugs formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. The peaks are known as Mount Beerburrum, Mount Beerwah, Mount Coochin, Mount Coonowrin (Crookneck), Mount Elimbah (The Saddleback), Mount Ngungun, Mount Tibberoowuccum, Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Tunbubudla (The Twins), Wild Horse Mountain (Round Mountain) and Mount Miketeebumulgrai. Enjoy scenic views from the lookout in Beerburrum State Forest or explore one of the walking tracks through open forests to lookouts offering panoramic views. Some walks are easy while the challenging summit routes are for experienced walks with climbing expertise. The summit routes on Mounts Ngungun and Tibrogargan are also suitable for roped sports for experienced and well-equipped climbers. The Glass House Mountains area is spiritually significant to the Aboriginal Traditional Owners, with many ceremonial sites still protected today.