What are the best things to do in Montville, Queensland?
The best things to do in Montville, Queensland, include walks in the Kondalilla National Park. Also try browsing the Montville shops on Main Street and eating gourmet sausage rolls at the Mayfield Patisserie.
Montville is one of those Queensland towns that pretty much exists for passing tourists, but manages to have oodles of charm anyway. Visitor-friendly Montville can be found in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, 59km south-west of Noosa, 34km west of Mooloolaba and 34km south of Eumundi.
A mountain settlement in the heart of the Blackall Range, Montville also happens to be one of the prettiest towns in Australia, let alone Queensland.
What to do in Montville, Queensland: Kondalilla Falls Circuit
To the untrained eye, Montville is one long road climbing up a big hill, flanked by cafés and shops in dainty wooden buildings. Veer off the main road, however, and you’re very quickly inside the little-known Kondalilla National Park. There are several good walking trails and lookouts, with the Kondalilla Falls circuit arguably the most enjoyable walk. If you’re prepared to take on the 300-plus steps, that is.
If you don’t make it that far, never fear, for there is plenty of trudging up and down a hill to do in Montville itself. The difference this time is that you’ll want to stop every few steps to browse.
It is borderline pointless to recommend specific shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants in Montville, as the whole point is idly mooching between them. But here goes with things to do in Montville anyway…
12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now
- Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour.
- Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades.
- Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
- Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour.
- Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
- Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
- Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight.
- Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
- Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour.
- Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
- Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour.
- Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.
Things to do in Montville, Queensland: Shopping
Illume Creations sells marvellous hand blown glass art, while Goundrey Menswear offers acquired taste shirts ‘inspired’ by the art of John Lennon. The Clock Shop, also on Main Street, has a jaw-dropping collection of cuckoo clocks and grandfather clocks.
The ANT Collection boasts clothing made from natural fibres such as bamboo and hemp, and Makersville does hand-made, often bird-themed souvenir ware. Expect sunglasses cases and drinks coasters.
For other Montville shops, try Jellyfish 1770 for bags and baskets, Amazen Puzzles for games and giftware or the Montville Woods Gallery for wine racks, wood sculptures and rocking horses.
Things to do in Montville, Queensland: Food
If you’re more interested in eating, the Mountain Bean Café is proud of its gourmet ice cream and Fudgyboombahs is the obligatory tourist town fudge shop.
The Mayfield Patisserie and Chocolatier, on the other hand, proudly boasts that its gourmet sausage rolls have been voted the best in Australia. The cakes look incredible, and there are also fine views over the fields and valleys from the wooden decking at the back.
View are also all-important at the Edge, where the burger and prawn pad thais are overpriced, but the escarpment-top position is special.
If coming from Queensland’s state capital, the 104km drive from Brisbane to Montville should take just over an hour and a half. It’s perfectly feasible to visit Montville on the drive from Brisbane to Noosa.
More unsung Australian towns to explore
Geraldton, Western Australia for island tours.
Corowa, New South Wales for whisky tasting.
Yungaburra, Queensland for platypus spotting.
Swan Hill, Victoria for heritage buildings.
Woomera, South Australia for secret military history.