Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Maleny & Kenilworth

Maleny

The busy tourist town of Maleny offers showgrounds camping and it’s only a short Creekside walk into the heart of town. This is a good base for exploring the Glasshouse mountains* and the Blackall Range towns of Mapleton, Montville and Palmwoods.

• The Glasshouse Mountains – These oddly shaped, steep conical plugs were named by Lieutenant James Cook because they reminded him of the glass furnaces back home.

Kenilworth

Further north the dairying town of Kenilworth is situated on the Mary River. The drive up from Maleny is scenic. There are several free camps and not to be missed is the Fig Tree Walk at Yabba Creek, where the Moreton Bay fig trees are enormous. Kenilworth Showgrounds are impeccable and there are some particularly good sites overlooking the Mary River floodplain. The showgrounds are one of the best and in the heart of this quaint town. There is a good pub on the main street and across the road you’ll find the Kenilworth Dairy, the home of fine cheeses and luscious chocolate mousse. Also on the main street is Kenilworth Donuts. They’re not cheap but you’ll never taste better. On weekends the queue stretches up the street as fans drive up from Brisbane to grab a box.