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A guide to road tripping the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Not far from our latest Mater Prize Home lottery No. 307 in beautiful Montville lies endless road trip opportunities. Nestled in the gorgeous Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Montville is the perfect starting point for many amazing adventures, from cruising through the countryside to strolling down the streets of some of the cutest towns in Queensland.
Just to make road tripping even easier, included in our home lottery is a Range Rover Evoque R-Dynamic SE, valued at $92,000. Ideal for long drives on various terrains, this compact SUV is just as much a delight to drive as it is to be a passenger along for the ride.
So, where to? Follow this guide to road tripping the Sunshine Coast Hinterland to find your dream destination.
Go in search of small town charm
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is famous for its three Ms: Montville, Maleny and Mapleton. These three towns all have unique personalities that are well worth regular visits. The first you’ll become closely acquainted with in no time once you become an official local, should you win our stunning Montville prize home.
While its the art galleries and spectacular views you’ll get with most of your meals down Main Street that will have you falling in love with Montville, Maleny is a special treat for foodies, as you’ll find locally grown produce and breweries at the likes of Maleny Food Co., Brouhaha Brewery and Maleny Cheese. Mapleton, on the other hand, really shines in the nature department, although its little township oozes charm, too. The lesser-known of the three, this town is a hidden gem. The Mapleton Pub is no ordinary pub, with fare leaning more towards the fine dining category and features produce grown on the owner’s farm just 3kms down the road. When you’re ready to walk off your meal, head along one of the forest trails in Mapleton National Park and be left amazed at the sheer magnitude of the towering blackbutts all around.
Another Sunshine Coast Hinterland town proving itself to be worth a visit is Kenilworth. While its 1920s rural heritage gives the town historical charm, the truth is its the delicious doughnuts being baked daily at the Kenilworth Bakery that makes this an unmissable stop-off on your next Sunshine Coast road trip. If you’re craving something savoury, you’ve also come to the right place: Kenilworth Dairies is a must visit for cheese and yoghurt sampling.
Enjoy nature walks and wildlife spotting
You’ll never grow tired of stretching your legs and breathing in the fresh mountainous air on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The options for hiking trails, waterfall chasing, and spectacular lookouts will keep you busy for a lifetime. If you’re looking for a few favourites, check out Gardners Falls just a short 30-minute drive from Maleny for an easy walk and swimmable rock pools. Montville’s iconic Kondalilla Falls is sure to become a regular natural haunt for you, with its 90m-high waterfall reward at the end of a semi-challenging 4.7km round-trip that includes over 100 stairs surrounded by a spectacular eucalyptus forest.
The Bunya Mountains - aka the range that forms an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range - delivers an unforgettable day in nature. Set amongst a 30-million-year-old landscape of lush rainforests and woodlands, the combination of rolling mountains, rainforest, rock pools, and waterfalls make this a top Sunshine Coast Hinterland day trip choice.
Another unmissable road trip for nature lovers is the lush subtropical rainforest at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains.
Get a true taste of country living
Rolling green hills, grazing farm animals, and exceptional fresh produce are all in abundance in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. If you’re after a little more ‘country’ rather than lush rainforests packed with towering trees, add the quaint rural villages of Pomona, Cooroy, Beerwah and Peachester to your road trip itinerary. In addition to rustic tin sheds, rolling farms, creeks and local farm gates dotted around the region, you’ll love the farm-to-table produce approach of many of the local cafes.
Just drive!
Sometimes, it’s not about the destination but the journey itself. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland has plenty of scenic drives in the area that will give you that break from the everyday you’re longing for, paired with stunning landscapes to keep you captivated the entire drive.
The Mary Valley Scenic Drive winds through the small villages of Kenilworth, Imbil, and Amamoor, with stops at the historical townships and picnics by local swimming holes highly recommended.
Known as one of the most scenic road trips on the Sunshine Coast, the Blackall Range Tourist Drive combines mountain lookouts with vistas out over the valleys and all the way to the coast with town drive-throughs and a must-stop to explore the 55 hectares of subtropical rainforest that makes up Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.
Finally, make sure you lock in a Yandina to Eumundi road trip. Exploring some of the Sunshine Coast's lesser known back roads, this journey begins with a stroll through the Yandina Saturday morning markets, or, if you’re there on another day, check out the eclectic mix of vintage and mid-century furniture, rugs and clothing at the Collective Haus. Pack your shopping bags back in your car and head along Old Gympie Road/Cooloolabin Road and turn onto Buckby Road until you reach Point Glorious Lookout. Just a 3km walk away you’ll be treated to stunning views of Mt Eewah. Next, head north to Eumundi-Kenilworth Road and simply enjoy the drive and your natural surrounds all the way to Eumundi.
Ready to spend your weekends road tripping through the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in your new Range Rover Evoque R-Dynamic SE? Buy your tickets today to win this Mater Prize Home lottery in Montville and start exploring. Plus, for every ticket you purchase you’re helping support the life-changing medical research and patient care at Mater.
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