One of our favourite spots in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is the Mary Cairncross scenic reserve. Maleny isn't a big detour from the main highway and a visit to this park is an option even if you're only passing through or visiting the area for the day.
The pristine tract of rainforest includes a 2 km easy walking loop track that is flat and suitable for 'off-road' pushchairs and wheelchairs. Opposite the park, you'll get incredible views back over the Glass House Mountains National Park and there's a large reserve area with plenty of space for kids to run around and a popular activity playground.
For your picnics, there are sheltered picnic tables in good supply and clean toilet facilities are available onsite. If you prefer there is also a cafe on site serving drinks, snacks and meals during the day.
The information centre opens at 9 am but if you want to get out on the track while it's relatively quiet you are able to get access from 7 am. The caretaker opens the side gate just past the information centre early each morning and you can access the track from there.
Although it's a loop track volunteers in the information centre will usually ask that you complete the circuit in a clockwise direction, keeping left at the forks. By doing that visitors are spaced more evenly and everyone will have a better chance of spotting a variety of wildlife. We've always seen several pademelons on the track and in the bush near the edge and it's been a good spot for sighting the elusive catbird and whip birds that are so often heard but not seen. It's also good for small yellow birds with a profusion of yellow-throated scrubwrens and eastern yellow robins.
The red-legged pademelon is a rainforest wallaby that's common in the area and these great mums are doing their best to keep up the local population numbers. Often you will see a young pademelon with them and another in the pouch, they may also have another embryo that waits in a natural form of suspended animation until the older sibling has stopped suckling and left the pouch to prevent the accommodation from becoming overcrowded.
We've been less successful with spotting the mountain crayfish whose prolific burrows are visible under the Piccabeen palms. Likewise, the frogs that are heard loudly proclaiming their territory at the river outlook platform keep themselves well hidden and us coming back.
Management and plans for Mary Cairncross scenic reserve
The reserve exists on 55 hectares of sub-tropical rainforest in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. There was a time when rainforest like this covered the Blackall Range but now it's a remnant that's being preserved as a living museum thanks to the generosity of the family of Mary Cairncross who donated the parcel of land under a deed to honour their mother and ensure the rainforest would be protected in perpetuity.
The reserve is now managed by the Sunshine Coast Council who staff the information centre with friendly volunteers and a caretaker who lives permanently on-site to ensure the area remains well maintained and that the gates are locked and unlocked each day.
A couple of years back there was extensive work and investment undertaken tearing down and replacing the long-standing information centre and cafe into one much larger and ultra-modern facility comprising additional gift shops and meeting rooms.
Along with many locals and interest groups, we had our misgivings about having such a large development taking place on the fringe of the rainforest. Now completed it has made the reserve much busier especially on the weekends but the Councils attention has remained firmly on the commercial opportunity from the valuable land and it hasn't made any real difference out in the rainforest which is still a beautiful spot to visit.
Access and fees
Access to the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is at 148 Mountain View Road in Maleny and is well signposted as you come through the township. You'll need your own transport to get up there and there's onsite parking available. There is no fee for entry but a gold coin donation is appreciated and helps towards the upkeep of the tracks and boardwalks that protect the health of trees and wildlife.
Signs ask people to stay on the path which is essential for the ecosystem with the popularity of the park now receiving 200,000 visitors annually.
We heard one Grandma quietly explaining, those roots are like the trees' fingers, if someone jumped on your fingers it would hurt wouldn't it so we don't do that. The child stopped stomping and returned to asking questions about the bird they could hear. The best example of parenting I've seen in a long time.
The child might be too young yet to understand that repeated footsteps across the soil and roots transport fungus and foreign material into the area and makes a weakness that lets pathogens and disease enter the tree but she did understand that you don't harm something on purpose.
Enjoy your stop at the reserve and remember to grab something slightly warmer to put on than you think you'll need if you're coming from the coast. It's not a long drive but it is always several degrees cooler up the mountain and that can be a real blessing on a scorching summer day.
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Have you visited Mary Cairncross Scenic Park or any of the national and regional parks on the Sunshine Coast? I'd like to know your favourites in the comments below.
Simon Pierce says
Oh I think we might have met you at Mary Cairncross today? Great article! (I was one of the two guys with the big cameras 😀 )
Toni Broome says
I hope you enjoyed the walk and views. We are up on the Woongarra Coast at the moment so unfortunately, we didn't get to meet you this time.
AlicevstheWorld says
I don't even have the words to express how cute those little wallabys are! They are so adorably, impossibly tiny!
2 Aussie Travellers says
I know, they are just so adorable. We learned a few weeks ago that it's only the pademelon (the smallest of the kangaroo family) that don't mind the mountain slopes so places like this, the Bunya mountains and O'Reillys on the Gold Coast are mostly these cute little guys.
Seana Smith says
How gorgeous! I went to Maleny for the first time last year but only visited the Botanic Gardens and Bird World. There's so muchmore to do there, would love to base myself up there in the Hinterland for a few days and take it all in.
2 Aussie Travellers says
The gardens are lovely and I was a bit in love with the friendly alpacas. Definitely still more to do in the area next time you're up here.
Duke Stewart says
This was a beautiful walk through the reserve with those wonderful pictures, Toni! Thank you. I'm not sure if we have anything this nice in North Carolina but hey, that's what travel is for! You guys have so much wonderful stuff to see in Australia. Alas, some day.
Jenna says
Sounds like a really great spot! I always love exploring scenic reserves, and it's so nice when they are free, too! The wallaby looks adorable 🙂 Would love to head to Mary Cairncross and explore sometime. Thanks for sharing!
Veronika says
Still waiting for my first chance to viist Australia. Your picures from Mary Cairncross Scenic Park look stunning. It must be exiting place to visit. I love anywhere near nature!
2 Aussie Travellers says
We love the natural places too Veronika, I think that means you'll really enjoy Australia when you do get down here 🙂
Meg Jerrard says
Thanks for the feature Toni - I've just recently spent some time staying in the Gold COast hinterlands, and it was unbelievably beautiful. People so often associate these parts of QLD purely with the beach but in reality there's so, so much more. Thanks for the note about the developments, will try and get up to explore the Sunshine coast before it has the chance to become too touristy.
Sophie @ Sophie's World says
The Sunshine Coast hinterland is one of my favourite places in Australia. The kids and I were in this area - in Maleny and Montrose - about 12 years ago, but missed this reserve. Looks so beautiful. Good reason to return. 🙂
2 Aussie Travellers says
It's a very pretty area overall, definitely worth a return visit if you're in SEQ 🙂
Kathrin says
How cute is a pademelon?! I have to see one in real life as well! Definitely a reason to go to Mary Cairncross 😉
2 Aussie Travellers says
Pademelons are adorable and quite curious so although the're wild they come close enough to the track so you do get the chance to see them well
the-worldwide says
Amazing places. Love the photographs. This place is a must visit destination.
Mar says
What an interesting landscape. I had never heard f a pademelon it looks quite like a wallaby only much much smaller and what a smart animal with the embryo. So nice to be able to see them in the wild
2 Aussie Travellers says
You are right, the pademelon, wallaby and kangaroo are all very similar. The main difference is the size with minor differences in body proportions like the tail to body size ratio.
Hugo says
Beautiful reserve. Great for a nice stroll! I like the fact that you can see some wildlife as well. Those pademelons are cute!
Great shot that of the landscape!
2 Aussie Travellers says
Thanks Hugo, the unique wildlife is an aspect of being in Australia that I'm really enjoying
Marcia says
My list of places to visit in Australia keeps growing, thanks to posts like yours. The pademelon looks cute!
I'm surprised your mountain crayfish live on land. We have crayfish in Jamaica but they're usually in rivers. Is there water nearby?
2 Aussie Travellers says
Thanks Marcia, I was really surprised to learn the freshwater crayfish here stray quite a way from water, the piccabeen palm groves always seem to grow in a wetter part of the forest but the burrows are still quite a way from the creek. I had only known about the crayfish in the sea before coming to Australia but these mountain ones are much smaller, they're the size of large prawns.
Hitch-Hikers Handbook says
Looks like a wonderful place to visit! I have never been to Australia, but I guess there are many beautiful natural spots and the wildlife is so unique!
2 Aussie Travellers says
There really are many beautiful and natural spots here but few pristine prehistoric forest remnants are this convenient to access. For people travelling who are short on time or without equipment for a longer hike it can be a good option close to many other attractions on the Sunshine Coast.
Natalie says
This looks like it would be a great day trip for the locals. It seems like such a relaxing place to walk around, and the surrounding geography is so unique!
2 Aussie Travellers says
It's great for locals Natalie but we find it's a good option for traveller too. Many aren't equipped for the longer hikes or don't have the time to travel out further from the coastal areas which is where the vast majority of travellers head to.
Cory Lee says
This reserve looks beautiful! And as a wheelchair user myself, it's great to know that it's wheelchair friendly. Thanks for the info! 🙂
2 Aussie Travellers says
Thanks Cory, I see you've done some travel in Australia already, how did you feel it stacked up on wheel chair accessibility against other countries?
Corinne says
I'd never heard of this reserve. It definitely sounds like my kind of place. Gorgeous walks and photos!
2 Aussie Travellers says
Thanks Corinne, the whole Sunshine Coast hinterland area is quite beautiful but this walk provides a glimpse of the natural beauty and wildlife for those without the time or inclination for a longer hike.
Ruth - Tanama Tales says
What a beautiful place! I love places where wildlife is easily spotted. I think this would be a place for me. The more I learn about Australia, the more I like it and wish to visit.
2 Aussie Travellers says
Hi Ruth, we definitely recommend Australia for anyone what enjoys wildlife. We've really enjoyed the variety since we've been here and places like this where you can take someone who's visiting and be virtually certain they'll see something in the wild rather than in a zoo are great
Rachel Heller says
I've been to Australia before, but never explored this part of the country. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve sounds worth visiting if I ever manage o get back there.
2 Aussie Travellers says
Hi Rachel, I hope you do make it back down here, it's a very diverse country to explore.
Pinay Flying High says
Love the Grandma's style of how she told the kid to stop stomping on the ground. And bravo to the kid for listening to grandma, it's very rare to see such parenting style these days.
Beautiful place!
2 Aussie Travellers says
I don't have children myself so I try not to judge others, I'm sure it's incredibly difficult to raise a little human being but it's also wonderful to see someone who can take the time to explain it in terms a child understands and encourage their interest in nature and wildlife.
Marie Hernandez says
All of Australia is on my bucket list but this makes me want to leave right now! Thanks for sharing such a great post!
2 Aussie Travellers says
It's an amazing country that doesn't feature on enough travellers bucket lists. Hope you make it down here soon.
budget jan says
Maleny is a gorgeous area. I agree that the view from the reserve is fantastic. Whenever we visit the Sunshine Coast we always try to fit in a trip to this area. I hope the new construction doesn't wreck the area. I can imagine any conference that has that view from it's windows is going to have a few people daydreaming instead of participating!
2 Aussie Travellers says
Thanks Jan, it's a beautiful area so I'm torn between understanding why they want it to accommodate more visitors but also really wanting to keep it protected in the way that the donating family intended.