You want a drive that starts easily and ends somewhere memorable. One where the roads wind just enough to feel like a journey without turning into a mission. These Sunshine Coast day trips tick every box.
Montville’s galleries and bakeries are made for slow strolls, and the sea spray at Point Arkwright catches you by surprise in the best way. Each route begins in Woombye and gets you somewhere worth adding to your camera roll. No pressure. No need to overpack.
Just wide views, smooth coffee, and that familiar thump of paws in the backseat if your dog’s along for the ride.
Sunshine Coast Day Trips Near Woombye
These scenic routes start in Woombye and reach cafés, lookouts, and forest trails all within 40 minutes.
Montville for Coffee and Galleries
Follow Hunchy Road through the hills to Main Street, Montville. Stop in at Poet’s Café, browse local galleries, and pick up a treat from Montville Bakery. The air is cooler, and the pace is just right.
Maleny for Forest and Views
Visit Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve for a quiet walk and sweeping views of the Glasshouse Mountains. Lunch at Maleny Food Co. rounds it out, making this one of the most popular Sunshine Coast hinterland getaways.
Mapleton Falls for a Quick Lookout
Just outside Mapleton, a short rainforest track leads to a waterfall framed by green ridges. It’s a calm, photo-worthy stop with no entry fee and minimal foot traffic.
Point Arkwright for Sea Air and Space
Drive east to Coolum and stroll the Point Arkwright Trail. Bring a hat, a light jacket, and binoculars if you’re hoping to spot whales. The ocean views here speak for themselves.
Montville’s Arts and Eats
Montville, QLD, brings fresh air, good food, and a creative pulse to your Sunshine Coast day trips.
This hinterland stop is just 30 minutes from Woombye and offers a mix of gallery browsing, scenic cafés, and cool walking weather.
Main Street Montville
Type: Gallery-lined shopping and food strip
Audience: Couples, day trippers
Local Tip: Arrive before lunch for easier parking
Main Street Montville is known for local art, handmade goods, and the sweet draw of Montville Bakery. It’s an easy start to your day and a must for those looking for what to do in Montville.
Poet’s Café
Type: Elevated café with coastal views
Audience: Coffee and brunch lovers
Local Tip: Sit by the windows for the best view
Poet’s Café offers long tables, quiet views, and a relaxed feel above the town. It pairs well with the cool Sunshine Coast mountains breeze and makes a great mid-morning stop.
Suggested Combo: Montville + Mapleton Falls
Type: Half-day arts and nature loop
Audience: Slow-paced explorers
Local Tip: Morning light works best for photos
Follow the drive toward Mapleton after Montville. The short trail at Mapleton Falls Lookout gives you a quick rainforest walk and a scenic payoff without adding much time to your day.
Maleny Views and Forest Trails
Cool air, soft light, and open spaces make Maleny, QLD, a quiet standout.
It’s just up the road from Montville or an easy arrival via Landsborough. The drive moves through rolling hills and gives you a mix of lookout stops, shady paths, and cafés worth the detour.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Type: Forest walk and Glass House Mountains lookout
Audience: Nature lovers, photographers, families
Local Tip: Visit early for cooler air and quieter trails
This is a favourite on most Sunshine Coast hinterland getaways. The shaded boardwalk brings you close to the forest, while the lookout frames the Glass House Mountains. It’s one of the best things to do in Maleny and Montville for a nature break without the steep climb.
Maple 3 Café and Maleny Food Co.
Type: Homestyle cafés
Audience: Couples, slow-paced travellers
Local Tip: Great for a takeaway lunch
These spots serve hearty plates and smooth coffee in a relaxed setting. They work well as a midday stop before heading toward the next lookout or trail.
Planning Notes
Weekdays are quieter and parking is easier. Pack a jumper, sunscreen, and your camera. If you’re chasing relaxed hinterland tourism Sunshine Coast style, Maleny keeps it simple and scenic.
Mapleton Falls Lookout
Some stops are quick, quiet, and worth every minute.
Just beyond Woombye, this route through Palmwoods and Dulong brings you to one of the easiest scenic trails on the map.
Why Go
This is a low-effort walk with high reward. The short trail winds through rainforest cover and leads to a striking waterfall outlook. It’s a standout among Sunshine Coast national parks, especially with July’s clear skies.
Travel Notes
Entry: Free
Packing: Water, sturdy shoes, and a light jumper if it’s cool
No ticket needed. For Sunshine Coast day tours that stay short and scenic, this one ticks the box with little planning required.
Blackall Range Tourist Drive
This is the kind of loop that moves at your pace.
Linking Montville, Mapleton, and Maleny, it shows off the Sunshine Coast mountains and suits easy weekend getaways, which Sunshine Coast, QLD travellers enjoy.
Highlights
Expect tree-lined ridges, open farmland, and soft turns along the way. Gerrard’s Lookout is a top photo stop, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Packing Advice
Bring: Snacks, a keep cup with something warm, and a playlist to match the mood
For relaxed Sunshine Coast day trips, this route keeps things scenic and low-fuss.
Point Arkwright Coastal Trail
This is the coastal shift your day trip needs.
A 40-minute drive east brings you to the point of the Arkwright Trail. It’s an easy, breezy path that suits low-key day trips, and sunshine coast visitors enjoy.
Route
Drive to Coolum Beach and follow the headland path. The signs are clear, and the ocean stays in sight the whole way.
What to Bring
Essentials: Binoculars for whale spotting, a hat, a windbreaker, and walking shoes
This trail works well in winter. The wind stays cool, the sun drops in beautifully, and the walk keeps a steady, gentle pace along the headland.
Nearby Options
Before heading back, grab lunch at one of Coolum’s beachside cafés. The timing pairs well with golden hour if you’re chasing photos before the drive home.
A Winter Drive to Remember
Cool skies and clear roads bring the day together in the best way.
Winter suits the Sunshine Coast. The air stays fresh, the hills stay quiet, and each stop along these Sunshine Coast day tours moves at its own pace. July makes space for relaxed drives, scenic pauses, and coffee breaks that last as long as they need to.
This is what good day trips, sunshine coast style, are made of. They’re simple, scenic, and timed perfectly for soft afternoon light.
Base Yourself in Woombye
Your stay should be as relaxed as your route.
Located near the start of each scenic drive, Sunshine Coast Motor Lodge gives you easy access to day trips that Sunshine Coast travellers return to again and again. Montville, Maleny, Point Arkwright, and Mapleton all sit within 40 minutes of your door.
This is the heart of weekend getaways, Sunshine Coast, QLD style. Pet-friendly rooms, undercover parking, and lush gardens make it a calm and convenient base. You check in once, sleep well, and explore without the stress of daily logistics.
It’s a quiet spot that lets Sunshine Coast hinterland getaways unfold at your pace.
Book direct with us and make your Sunshine Coast day trips that little bit easier.
Image credit: Point Arkwright Coastal Trail
Recent Comments