Experience
The Blackall Range Drive: A Perfect Day Trip from Mooloolaba
There's a moment, about twenty minutes into the Blackall Range drive, when the road crests a ridge and the whole Sunshine Coast stretches out below you. Ocean on one side, green rolling hills on the other. It's the kind of view that makes you pull over without even thinking about it.
That's the thing about this drive. It doesn't feel like a detour from your holiday. It feels like the other half of it.
The Blackall Range Tourist Drive (officially Tourist Drive 23) winds through a string of charming mountain villages, national park rainforests, and lookouts that stop you in your tracks. Starting and finishing near Mooloolaba, you can do the whole loop in a day and be back on the esplanade in time for sundowners.
What to expect: lush subtropical rainforest, artisan galleries, proper country cafes, waterfalls, and some of the most dramatic coastal views you'll find anywhere in Queensland.
Getting There from Mooloolaba
One of the best things about this drive is how close it is. From Mooloolaba, you're looking at roughly 35 minutes to reach the start of the range, which means you can sleep in, have a proper breakfast, and still have a full day ahead of you.
The Route
Head south from Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Motorway, join the Bruce Highway briefly, then take Steve Irwin Way towards Landsborough. From Landsborough, follow the Landsborough-Maleny Road until you spot the brown Tourist Drive 23 signs. Once you see them, just follow the signs. The route is well-marked and loops back to the coast, so you won't get lost.
- Distance from Mooloolaba: approximately 35 minutes to Landsborough (the start of the range)
- Recommended time: allow a full day - 6 to 8 hours if you want to stop properly
- Road conditions: sealed roads throughout, suitable for all vehicles
Download an offline map before you leave. Mobile coverage is patchy in parts of the range, and you'll want to be able to navigate freely without relying on data.
The Stops Worth Slowing Down For
This isn't a drive you rush. The towns are small, the roads are winding, and the whole point is to wander. Here's a loose itinerary that gives you the best of it without feeling rushed.
Mapleton: First Stop, First Coffee
Mapleton is the first town you'll hit as you climb the range. It's quiet, a little sleepy, and exactly what a hinterland village should feel like. Grab a coffee at one of the local cafes and stretch your legs before heading to Mapleton Falls National Park, just a short drive from the main street. The Wompoo Circuit (1.3km) is an easy walk with beautiful views over Mapleton Falls and the Obi Obi Valley below.
Flaxton: Blink and You'll Miss It (Don't)
Flaxton is tiny, but worth the stop. The village sits high on the range with some lovely lookout spots, and it's home to a few charming galleries and gardens. It's the kind of place where you find yourself lingering longer than planned.
Kondalilla Falls: The Highlight of the Range
Just outside Flaxton, Kondalilla National Park is one of the genuine highlights of the entire drive. The Kondalilla Falls Circuit is a 4.8km return walk through subtropical rainforest that ends at a stunning 90-metre waterfall. If the weather's warm, the rockpools at the base are perfect for a swim.
Allow at least 90 minutes here if you plan to walk the full circuit.
Montville: The Town Everyone Loves
Montville is the most visited stop on the range, and it earns it. The main street is lined with galleries, boutiques, bookshops, and cafes, all set against a backdrop of rolling green hills. It's a good spot for lunch. The views from the village lookout on a clear day stretch all the way to the coast.
Tip: Montville gets busier on weekends. If you're visiting Saturday or Sunday, arrive before midday to find a park easily and get a table without waiting.
Maleny: Where the Drive Ends on a High
Maleny is the final major town before the drive loops back toward the coast, and it might be the most charming of the lot. It has a strong local food culture, excellent coffee, and a genuine community feel. Browse the independent shops along Maple Street, or head straight to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve for a final rainforest walk.
The reserve's Rainforest Discovery Centre has a viewing platform with incredible Glass House Mountains panoramas. Entry requires a small gold coin donation, and the reserve has set opening hours, so check before you go.
What to Eat and Drink Along the Way
The hinterland has a genuine food culture. These aren't tourist traps with average coffee and overpriced scones. The towns along the Blackall Range take local produce seriously, and you'll eat well if you know where to look.
A few things worth seeking out:
- Maleny is the best spot for lunch. The town has a handful of cafes and restaurants that use local dairy and produce. The Maleny region is known for its cheese, so if you see a cheese board on a menu, order it.
- Montville has good coffee and a few bakeries worth stopping at. It's a natural mid-drive lunch spot if you prefer to eat before Maleny.
- Mapleton is better for a morning coffee and something light. Save your appetite for later in the drive.
- Local produce stalls pop up along the route, particularly around Maleny. Macadamia nuts, honey, and seasonal fruit are worth picking up if you spot them.
The whole drive lends itself to a slow, grazing kind of day. Don't over-plan the food. Just stop when something looks good.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Drive
A few practical things that make a real difference:
Best time to go: Weekday mornings. Quieter roads, easier parking in the villages, and the light is beautiful in the early part of the day.
What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes. You'll want to do at least one trail, and some of the paths get slippery after rain.
What to bring: Water, snacks for the road, and a jacket. The range is noticeably cooler than the coast, especially in winter.
Mobile coverage: Unreliable in parts. Download Google Maps offline for the area before you leave.
Fuel: Fill up in Mooloolaba or Landsborough. Petrol stations are limited on the range.
One more thing: don't try to rush back. The drive back down to the coast at dusk, with the light fading over the Glass House Mountains, is its own reward. If you've stayed flexible with your afternoon, you'll be glad you did.
The Perfect Base for It All
The Blackall Range drive works so well as a day trip because Mooloolaba is such a natural starting and finishing point. You leave the beach behind in the morning, spend the day in the hills, and come back to the coast in the evening. It's a genuinely satisfying contrast, and it's one of the things that makes a Sunshine Coast stay feel so complete.
At Oceans Mooloolaba, you're right on the Esplanade, a few minutes from the motorway, and home to a full kitchen and a generous balcony where a cold drink after a long day of driving feels very well-earned. Our apartments are designed for exactly this kind of holiday: spacious enough to spread out, well-located enough to make every day trip easy.
If the hinterland has you wanting more, we've also written about the Sunshine Coast Hinterland day trips worth adding to your itinerary, and 5 must-dos in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland if you're planning a longer stay.
The Blackall Range is one of those places that surprises people. They expect a pleasant drive. They come back talking about it for the rest of the trip. Give yourself the day. You won't regret it.
Check availability and book your stay at Oceans Mooloolaba and experience the Mooloolaba Mile the way it deserves to be done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Blackall Range Tourist Drive take from Mooloolaba? Allow a full day - roughly 6 to 8 hours including stops. You're about 45 minutes from Landsborough (the start of the range), so leaving Mooloolaba by 8:30am gives you a comfortable day with time to walk, eat, and wander without feeling rushed.
What are the best stops on the Blackall Range drive? The four main towns are Mapleton, Flaxton, Montville, and Maleny - each worth a stop for different reasons. For nature, Kondalilla National Park (90-metre waterfall, rockpool swimming) and Mapleton Falls National Park are the highlights. For food and browsing, Montville and Maleny are the picks.
Is the Blackall Range drive suitable for kids? Yes. The roads are sealed and straightforward, the towns are easy to walk around, and the national park trails are short and well-maintained. The Wompoo Circuit at Mapleton Falls (1.3km) and the rockpools at Kondalilla are both popular with families. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve also has a picnic area and is very family-friendly.
What are the road conditions like? All sealed roads, suitable for standard two-wheel-drive vehicles. The roads are winding in places - particularly through the range itself - but there are no unsealed sections on the main Tourist Drive 23 route. Take it steady and enjoy the bends.
What is the best time of year to do the drive? Any time of year works, but autumn and winter (April to August) are particularly pleasant - cooler temperatures on the range, clear skies, and the waterfalls are often running well after winter rain. Summer can be humid and the roads busier. Weekday mornings year-round are quieter than weekends.
Why stay in Mooloolaba rather than somewhere on the range? Mooloolaba gives you the best of both worlds - beach access, restaurants, and a central location that makes day trips in any direction easy. The range is roughly 45 minutes away, which is close enough to do comfortably in a day without committing to staying inland.
How far is Oceans Mooloolaba from the start of the drive? Oceans Mooloolaba is right on the Esplanade, about a 5-minute drive from the Sunshine Motorway. From there, Landsborough - the start of Tourist Drive 23 - is around 45 minutes south via Steve Irwin Way.
What else can I do near the Blackall Range? Plenty. The Glass House Mountains are visible from multiple points along the drive and worth a stop on the way back. Kenilworth and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland more broadly offer additional day trip options if you're spending more than a few days on the coast. We've covered more in our Sunshine Coast Hinterland day trips guide.
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Published: 6 April, 2026
Cover photo image sourced via www.grainandcrop.com
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