The Best Hotels and Places to Stay in Maleny, Queensland

Wind back the clock for old-world charm and luxury finishes at The Residence, five minutes out of central Maleny by the cutely-named Obi Obi creek. You’ll love this four-bedroom 1920s Queenslander with period timber flooring, pressed metal feature walls and French chandeliers. The full kitchen opens to a separate dining room and adjacent entertaining deck. So stretch out – after dinner, comfy beds with organic cotton linen await. For smaller groups, there’s the option of one of the luxury modern apartments set among the landscaped gardens.

Arriving in Montville, on the edge of Kondalilla National Park just outside Maleny, you will feel a profound sense of freedom as you explore these six villas, each in a secluded part of the rainforest. This is open-plan living featuring gorgeous timber pendant lighting, leading to a private deck overlooking the tropical forest. In total privacy, you can relax in the double hammock or keep warm around the log fire. Water sprites will love the spa made for two and the opportunity to refresh in the tropical saltwater swimming pool.

Drive for just over five minutes out of Maleny, past the local Maleny Dairy, and you’ll turn into McCarthy Grove’s long welcoming driveway. This beautiful rural property boasts more than 40 varieties of orchard trees, including face-staining mulberries and pie-worthy pecans. Once settled in the five-bedroom house, get the firepit roaring ready for drinks and stories under the stars. Or walk the lush green paddocks, take a dip in the creek, or pop back into town to sample the local trophy-garnering Brouhaha brewery and restaurant.

If you’ve ever wanted to be treated like a pharaoh, this deity-inspired, Egypt-themed apartment in Maleny is for you. It’s set among an olive grove and a cypress garden, and you can choose a suite or a sub-penthouse. Decor is deliciously over-the-top with gilded mirrors, pyramid windows, lamps, golden bed throws, and luxe cushions all creating a sense of Luxor in the hinterland. Your host Dalia offers a range of exotic massages and a couple’s spa or a sauna inspired by the deity Isis.

Do you love good food? If so, you’ll adore this hinterland retreat, home to a cooking school where you can learn to create Thai, Italian or French cuisine with tutoring from experienced chefs. Once you’ve whipped up and devoured a masterpiece, retreat to your spa studio with its open-plan king-size bedroom and its own cedar hot tub. Or, to one of the villas discreetly dotted around the property, all with plush wool carpeting in the bedrooms, dark polished timber flooring, natural tones, deluxe double shower and a seriously seductive indoor/outdoor bath.

Anne Shirley would be right at home in this two-storey timber house, with four bedrooms and bathrooms. A gorgeous white wrought-iron balcony overlooks extensive lawns and beautiful gardens. Period features include huge fireplaces, high ceilings with glorious plasterwork and timeless dangling lighting. You’ll fall for your clawfoot bath, chequered tiling and classic brass fittings. The huge country-style kitchen is a highlight, with French doors leading to a large dining area and covered courtyard.

Located just over five minutes’ drive beyond Maleny, this peaceful rural property offers spectacular ridgeline views. There are two accommodation options to choose from. Option one is a luxury one-bedroom self-contained ground-floor apartment that has a deep bath, perfect for long soaks. For option two, climb the stairs to the upstairs apartment with a balcony and separate lounge. Hosts Mary and Charlie can direct you to the local botanic gardens and bird world, with 6km (4mi) of gardens to explore.