The Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Escape to the crisp air, stunning views and fascinating towns of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. There's another side to the surf and sun of the Sunshine Coast - every bit as relaxing and just a stone's throw from the beach. It's the Hinterland - the lusher, cooler, fertile lands and fascinating little towns that lie just behind the busy throng of the coast. Art galleries, country markets, excellent restaurants and comfortable bed and breakfast guesthouses await. Put two areas: The Blackall Ranges and the Noosa Hinterland, on your must visit list.

A word of advice: rent a convertible so you can best see, smell and feel what's around you. You'll know you're alive with the wind in your face, the sun beaming down and picture postcard scenery rushing past.

The Blackall Ranges

Making the steep and windy climb to the mountain villages of Montville and Maleny is work enough without having to stop to let the local farmer's cows cross the road, but this is the way of things in the majestic Blackall Ranges.

The Ranges, in the heart of the lush Sunshine Coast hinterland offer the ideal short break from Brisbane. The trip is a breeze - an hour and a half leisurely motoring through pine tree plantations, fertile farmlands, past classic weatherboard Queenslander houses, and colourful roadside fruit stalls. Be sure to stop and select a few local gems - sweet pineapples, freshly picked lychees, macadamia nuts, ruby red strawberries, and home made preserves - the gooseberry and rosella jam didn't last a week !

Drink in the views. To the east rolling green hills giveway to cow studded pastures, crops and then clusters of houses and apartments along the coastline from Caloundra to Coolum. To the west are the Connondale Ranges and Lake Baroon - perched like a mirror in the velvety green undulations of the Obi Obi Valley and to the southwest the imposing Glasshouse Mountains.

You can visit the main villages of Montville and Maleny as a day trip, but excellent bed and breakfast guesthouses and self contained cottages, fine restaurants, art and antique galleries and craft studios as well as graded rainforest walking tracks, swimming holes and waterfalls in the Kondalilla National Park make a few days very easy to fill.

Where to Stay

With such an amazing array of accommodation affording coastal or mountain views, a couple of suggestions will not go astray.

Nestled in the folds of the Range at Maleny is Fraser's Selection - two gorgeous, well spaced self-contained timber cabins set on 206 acres of what's like a private national park.

It's the perfect family or romantic getaway. Walking tracks allow guests to traverse the rolling hills and rainforest pockets to discover creeks and waterfalls with ease. The kids will never tire of collecting the free-range chook and goose eggs or wandering about exploring.

Total pampering is the order of the day at Rowan House, a classic French Provincial guesthouse overlooking the ranges to the coast. Your stay will include relaxing by the secluded pool, gourmet meals, cocktails on the deck, and use of tennis courts. Privacy is assured with a maximum of five couples staying at any time.

Adjoining Kondalilla Falls National Park are the gorgeous Falls Rainforest Cottages. Nestled in bushland, the six private cottages offer the ultimate in cosiness and country ambience. Each has a wood fire, a double indoor spa, kitchenette, CD, TV and video.

Where to Play

Taking a wander down the main street of Montville could take the best part of a day if you stop at each art gallery, potter about in each craft and gift shop and have a coffee and piece of homemade cake at each cafi. Keep an eye out for locally produced sauces, jams and preserves. Must-sees for the art obsessed are the Montville Art Gallery, and the Lasting Impressions Gallery in Kenilworth, just a 10 minute drive down the road. While you're there hop across to
Kenilworth Country Foods to sample their cheeses and yoghurts.

Maleny is far less touristy and has several interesting antique and bric-a-brac stores and a country market on Sundays.

If it's fresh air you crave make a beeline for the walking tracks of Kondalilla National Park and waterfalls. The pick of picnic spots is Mary Cairncross Park, with its panoramic views to the Glasshouse Mountains.

If you're adventurous, experiencing the Ranges from the back of a Harley Davidson with Southern Cross Motorcycle Tours will provide all the colour and movement you can handle.

And remember a fix of sun and surf is only 30 minutes drive away !

Let's Eat

The Terrace Seafood Restaurant is renowned for it's fresh prawns, crabs and fish and its views to the Coast, where the seafood comes from!

The deck of Misty's Mountain Restaurant in Montville offers a quiet perch from which to enjoy well priced modern cuisine while surveying the passing parade. The chicken and asparagus nori rolls are to die for!

For fine country pub meals the cosy Hotel Maleny serves hearty steaks - in summer on the deck and in winter in front of a roaring fire. The verandah of the Mapleton Hotel is a great place to watch the world go by while tackling a Ploughman's lunch you can't jump over!

The Noosa Hinterland

Just 90 minutes drive from Brisbane or 20 minutes drive inland from Noosa are the hinterland towns of Eumundi and Yandina. Traditionally farming centres, they're now the hub of weekend markets, groovy places to stay and some of the most talked about restaurants on the Coast.

Where to Stay

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary Taylor's Damn Fine Bed and Breakfast at Eumundi is just the ticket. The 100-year-old Queenslander is furnished in an eclectic mix of styles and pieces collected from around the world. There's no Laura Ashley here, just pure originality. Taylor's is an experience rather than simply a place to lay your head. Wide timber verandahs wrap around the house on three sides providing the perfect perch from which to take in the gardens and abundant bird life. An inviting pool and barbecue area overlook the orchard, waterlily-covered dam and the undulating green hills of the Noosa Valley.

Where to Play

Within a few minutes walk of Taylor's is the Frances Reilly Gallery featuring the work of local and interstate artists. Across the road is the famous Eumundi Market held on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It is especially good for organic fruit and vegetables and home made preserves. Antiques and quality bric-a-brack can be found at the Old Butter Factory Markets held every Sunday from 8am to 2pm.

Across from the markets is a typical country pub, the Imperial Hotel where you can sample Eumundi lager and one of the best counter meals around.

If you're a golfer, you're in the right place with three courses almost within putting distance!

Stop in for a look at the largest ginger factory in the Southern Hemisphere at Yandina, and treat yourself to a ginger and macadamia ice cream. Also on offer are ginger plants and other heliconia varieties and a range of products including jams, desert and cooking sauces, pickled sushi ginger and the good old crystalised and chocolate-coated variety.

For exquisite handcrafted jewellery make a date to visit gold and silversmith Ann Everingham at her rammed earth studio amid the ginger plantation at her Yandina farm. Ann designs exotic pieces combining African trading beads, choice pearls and precious stones collected on her travels. Her studio is open by appointment only. Tel +61 7 54 46 7374

Let's Eat

One of the most divine dining experiences you could hope for is The Spirit House Restaurant at Yandina. Private tables are positioned amid greenery around a lake or in the open air Spirit House overlooking the water. Asian-style cuisine is the order of the day and anything will impress, but be sure to try the whole fish done with chilli and lemongrass. You can also join in one of their cooking classes.