Maleny

Maleny sits on the southern end of the Blackall Range in dairy country, and its identity mixes farming with a long-standing alternative and cooperative streak: the town runs a community-owned food co-op, a credit union founded locally and a strong arts and music scene, alongside cheese factories and dairy farms. The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve on the edge of town preserves a patch of subtropical rainforest with walking tracks and, from its lawn, the definitive view across the valley to the Glass House Mountains, which line up as a row of volcanic plugs. The Obi Obi Creek boardwalk runs through the town, and the range road links north to Montville.

What you actually see

• The Glass House view - the volcanic plugs seen across the valley from Mary Cairncross.
• The rainforest reserve - subtropical forest walks with pademelons and birds.
• The dairy and cheese producers - factories and farm outlets around the town.
• The main street - bookshops, co-op, galleries and cafés.

When to go

April to October for the clearest views of the mountains; summer humidity and cloud often obscure them. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light. Weekends are busy and the reserve car park fills.

Honest expectations

Cloud on the range hides the Glass House Mountains regularly. The reserve charges for parking and the tracks are short. Range roads are winding and slow, and the town's popularity has pushed prices up.

Nearby

Montville is north along the range; the Glass House Mountains lie south across the valley.