Montville Things to Do

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Kondalilla National Park is located 100km north of Brisbane and near Montville in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. It is named after the spectacular Kondlilla Falls

The falls are a result of the Skene Creek falling 90m and the Aboriginal name translated means 'rushing waters'.

There are two main walks. The Picnic Creek walk is a round trip of 2.4km and classified as Class 2 (Australian classifications) - an easy, reasonably level walk for all fitness levels. The main or Rock Pools walk takes you to the top of the falls and the swimming hole where there is a small part of the falls. This walk is 3.2km and Class 3 - a well defined track with most steep inclines treated as stairs. Caution is needed in exposed areas especially after heavy rain.

There is no wheelchair access and the slope from the carpark to the entrance of the NP is quite steep.

Unfortunately, last time I visited the main track was closed due to wet conditions. I will have to go back. I got back in 2012 and enjoyed the walk to the top falls and swimming hole but the track to the bottom of the main falls is still closed.

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The Baroon Packet Dam was completed in 1989. The resulting 380 hectare lake is the water supply most of the south of the Sunshine Coast. The Dam wall is approached from Montville, along Western avenue and there is a large picnic area with barbecues and public facilties. Another picnic area located on the other side of the lake is accessed via Maleny.

Activities allowed on the lake include swimming, fishing and boating. There are also various walking tracks leading from the dam.

Warning - your picnic may be the target of the local Kookaburras. They love barbecues - especially sausages!

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At the start, my walk was through open Eucalypt forest. Some of the Trees were different, I took a photo of some with a very rusty red brown trunk. As I headed further down the Mountain, then it changed to Rainforest with lots of Palm Trees. It was interesting that there was a creeper clinging to the Palm Trees that made them look like a different kind of Palm. This is the only area I have ever seen this creeper.

Coming out of the Rainforest on climbing the mountain to the top, the scene was different again! This time Australian Grass trees!

Another important tip is the way you walk the track. If you head to the WATERFALL 1st, then you are WALKING DOWN A LOT OF STEPS, and walking up the other side of the mountain is much easier as there are NO STEPS.
THIS IS THE WAY TO GO, FINISH AT THE ROCK POOL LAST.

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After enjoying my view of the falls, it was time to climb to the top of the Mountain. I could hear the water running, and knew I was near the waterfall.

The track came out at the top of the waterfall where Grass Trees were growing, completely different to the Rainforest on the other side.

Located here was a pretty deep rock pool, popular with people swimming and jumping in. From here, the water runs in a small stream and over the long drop cliff face. Another Goanna was here having a drink, just beside the bridge that you walk across the top of the falls.

I imagine that on a really hot day this would be full of people enjoying themselves

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As I was doing the 4.6km circuit, I followed the trail down the Mountain. From here, the path deteriorates from a good path to a narrow track, with lots and lots of steps and plenty of zig –zag path to the bottom.

On the way down, there were some excellent views of the Kondalilla Falls. These were beautiful, very long drop falls, I could only get the full length of them in a photo taken from quite a distance. The track takes you to the bottom of the falls, no hope of getting all of them in the photo from here.
The track to this area you need to be very careful with, it is rocky, slippery and there are tree roots.
It is well worth the walk to here.

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Coming down Kondalilla Falls road, we passed many Car’s parked on the side of the road of this popular National park. The car park here is usually full to overflowing.

I walked down the track to a large grassed picnic area which had Toilets, BBQ’s, Picnic tables & chairs, Playground and even some Wildlife! A Goanna [lace moniter] was hanging around, they love meat!

I decided to do the 4.6km circuit walk, which took me past 3 sets of waterfalls.
The track at the start is good and fairly easy going, walking through Eucalypt forest. It wasn’t long before I was at the 1st waterfall, a rather pretty one flowing pretty well. A bridge led my way across it, then up some steps, and more easy walking to a lookout with extensive views over the mountains to a valley in the distance.

The walk then descended down some steps, and started zig-zagging down the mountain to where the path divided, one going to Kondalilla falls, and one to the Rock Pools.
If you are not real fit, at least walk to this 1st waterfall, it is easy going!

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MONTVILLE - A village full of Arts and Craft Shops.......

It may be your chance to find that unique gift to take back home.

Some of the shops are....
* Almari Leather....anything that can be made of leather....is!
* Antiques........
* Leadlighting, gemstones.....
* Black Forest Hill Clock Centre....Cuckoo Clocks, GrandfatherClock, and probably a 100 other different ones!..........
* Chocolate Country...handmade chocolates.....
* Handpainted gifts.....
* T-Shirts for Adults and Children • Classic Ladies Clothing......
* Beautiful Embroidery.......
* Something Special for baby.......
* Gifts......
* Wooden toys.....
* Africa shop......
* Doll & bear shop.Thousands of designer dolls can be found here.....
* country homewares ......
* Italian shop.....
* The popular Irish shop...
* and the one I really liked.......was the...........
Handblown Glass Art, Handmade glass beads, and beautiful painted silk.
There are lots more.............
AND.....lots of outdoor Cafes........

One of the outdoor cafes has gorgeous views to the ocean.
And don't forget, on a hot day, it is often cooler up here!

Montville isnt only a place to go when you need to relax.it is also a place to go to enjoy some of the best outdoor activities on the Sunshine Coast. You will find it is very central to many other areas which gives you a choice of a lot of activites.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Rainforest walks and picnics in National Parks
Clear mountain streams and waterfalls
Walking, shopping, wine-tasting & sight-seeing
15 minutes to Nambour's 18 hole golf course
25 minutes spectacular drive to Maleny's galleries & sights
30 minutes to Australia's best beaches
30 minutes to Eumundi markets
30 minutes to Kenilworth Cheese Factory
45 minutes from Noosa

Cheddar, brie, camembert, fetta and goats are among the selection of cheeses you'll find in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Maleny Cheese, calls the Hinterland home.
Maleny Cheese offers you fine dairy-goods and a unique encounter with a working cheese factory.
The licensed "Cheese Stop Cafe" welcomes visitors for product tasting, lunches and refreshments from 9.00am to 5.00pm, 7 days per week. Visitors have the unique experience of watching and learning about the cheese making process through the large panoramic viewing windows. Groups by booking only.

MAIN STREET GALLERY AND POET'S CAFE
This new fine art gallery is situated in lush tropical surrounds, down the steps next to Poets Cafe in the heart of Montville Village. Here you will find exquisit pieces from well known artists and 'certain to be famous' craftspeople. A visit to Main Street Gallery is a must if you have an interest in fine art and sculpture.