As
well as having spectacular beaches, the Sunshine Coast has a charming
hinterland. Several quirky little towns enjoy a rainforest setting and views
over the Sunshine Coast and Glasshouse Mountains. The Sunshine Coast hinterland
is easily accessible from the coast, and exploring it makes a great road trip.
If you don’t have your own vehicle it is definitely worth hiring a rental car to
really enjoy the hinterland at your own pace.
The
Blackhall Range and the Glasshouse Mountains have long been an inspiration to
artists and craftspeople and, as such, the hinterland has become the cultural
centre of the region. Culture vultures can enjoy an artistic tour of the
region, taking in art galleries, photography and locally produced crafts such
as woodwork, leather products and pottery.
It
is also an agricultural centre boasting dairy farms and freshly grown produce,
so foodies can feast on locally produced wines, cheeses, chocolate, ice cream,
and a wonderful array of cafes and restaurants.
 |
| Sunshine Coast Hinterland cafe with spectacular view |
For
lovers of the great outdoors the National Parks offer wonderful rainforests to
explore, complete with picnic areas, camping facilities, walking trails and
waterfalls.
All
of the drives are clearly signposted, and run along well-maintained roads. Simply
choose your drive and follow the brown (tourist) signs displaying the ‘Tourist
Drive’ number.
Blackhall
Range Drive
Tourist
Drive 23 – Mapleton to Maleny – 57km
Taking
in Mapleton, Montville and Maleny, the Blackhall Range drive is one of the most
popular. These three settlements are interspersed with a handful of other,
smaller towns, and offer lots to see and do. There are restaurants with
sweeping views over the Sunshine Coast, diverse shops (such as the Bowerbird of
Montville that offers a little bit of everything, and even a clock shop selling
quite an array of German cuckoo clocks), specialist crafts producers (such as
pottery and woodwork), dangerously tempting chocolate shops and awesome
Kondalilla Falls, an 80 metre rainforest waterfall in Kondalilla Falls National
Park.
 |
| Mapleton Tavern, Queensland, Australia |
Kenilworth
Drive
Tourist
Drive 22 – Eumundi to Maleny – 70km
The
Kenilworth Drive is definitely worth starting from Eumundi on a Wednesday or a
Saturday, to coincide with the Eumundi Markets that take place in the morning.
The drive loops west of the Blackhall Range drive and offers a variety of
scenery, the opportunity to visit a dairy factory in Kenilworth, and explore
the Kenilworth State Forest. It then follows the Mary River south to Maleny,
where the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve offers a fantastic view across the
Glasshouse Mountains, especially at sunset.
 |
| Dairy cattle, Maleny, Queensland, Australia |
Glasshouse
Mountains Drive
Tourist
Drive 24 – Elimbah to Glenview – 30km
Named
after the glass furnaces of industrial northern Britain in 1770 by James Cook,
the Glasshouse Mountains are truly atmospheric to drive through. This short drive
offers several wildlife experiences passing one of the best places to see a
huge variety of Australian wildlife, Australia Zoo, and a parrot sanctuary.
 |
| A Montville shop, Queensland, Australia |
Have
you enjoyed these scenic drives? Which was your favourite?
