> > by Cheryl Menagh
Look inland and you’ll be enchanted by the magic of the hinterland where magnificent coastal views, galleries, craft communities and friendly country towns can be visited in the Glass House Mountains, Blackall Range, Noosa Hinterland and lush Mary Valleys. Up here, the cooler weather gives a welcome respite from the summer humidity of the coast and is only a short drive away. Inland, life moves at an enjoyably slower pace. There’s green as far as the eye can see, the air is clean and fresh, and the food and wine full-bodied and flavoursome. It’s a land of plenty; plenty to see and plenty to do.
The drive threading across the top of the Blackall Range from Maleny to Mapleton, through Montville and Flaxton, is one of the most scenic on the Sunshine Coast with jaw-dropping views of the coastline. You can stroll through any of the charming, historic towns and villages and find different things on offer in each. Here you’ll find art galleries, craft outlets, gourmet eateries and small boutique shops that may seduce you into considering a treechange! Walking down the main street of any of these towns, it’s likely you’ll find the pace of your step slowing down from a hasty city-jog, into a relaxed, rhythmic stroll.Nature is integral to the identity of the hinterland. Just off the scenic drive to Mapleton lies the wonderful Kondalilla National Park, where you’ll find a sublime plunging waterfall and easy-to-navigate bushwalking tracks. Enclosed by overhead foliage and surrounded by the sounds of the forest, the bushwalk takes you down to the bottom of the waterfall and is a highly recommended daytrip for anyone visiting this region.
After shopping and sightseeing, don’t forget a trip to any of the local wineries, and when the day is at an end snuggle up in front of an open fire in one of the many cosy B&Bs with a hot chocolate or savour the fresh fruity palate of a local wine that was purchased at a winery cellar door.
Things to Do:
• While visiting the Sunshine Coast Hinterland go bushwalking or bird-spotting in Mapleton National Park and onto the spectacular Mapleton Falls. Or explore the walking trails through the lush rainforests of the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in Maleny. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk is actually 58 kilometres of trails that traverse scenic areas of the hinterland through Maleny Forest Reserve, Kondalilla National Park and Mapleton Falls National Park. www.hinterlandtourism.com.au
• Renowned Thai chef and culinary magician Paul Blain is ready to reveal his secrets, with the opening of The Tamarind restaurant’s new purpose built cooking school. These intimate classes of up to 12 offer you the chance to learn everything you ever wanted to know about this delicious cuisine, all while enjoying every tasty morsel you create. The Tamarind restaurant cooking school at Spicers Tamarind will open from early April 2011, and classes will be held regularly. For bookings call 1300 411 587.
www.visitsunshinecoast.com.au