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This scenic drive is an ideal day out for those holiday makers staying in accommodation in Noosa. The actual time in the car driving is about 2 1/2 hours, plus however much time you need for your shopping, dining, and exploration.
Introduction .
It is certainly possible to spend more than 1 day enjoying the delights of the towns of the Blackall Ranges and surrounds. However, for those Sunshine Coast visitors staying in Sunshine Coast accommodation who only have a day to spare this is an extremely worthwhile drive that will cater to all ages and walks of life.
The Blackall Ranges are about 30 minutes south of Noosa, and about 60 minutes north of Queensland's Capital city, Brisbane. The height above sea level is about 450-500 metres, ensuring temperatures that are cooler than those experienced on the Sunshine Coast. The towns of theBlackall Ranges are charmingly historic and picturesque.
There are many restaurants, food factories, wineries, galleries, craft shops, and antique dealers to explore, featuring the most amazing scenery of the entire Sunshine Coast laid out in all its glory. For those who enjoy the great outdoors, there arerainforests, waterfalls and a botanical garden to enjoy.
Driving Instructions From Your Holiday Accommodation Noosa .
After leaving your accommodation in Noosa and ensuring that you have at the very minimum your fully charged camera, you will be heading your car in the direction of Eumundi. Eumundi is a historic town that has an absolutely enormous market with about 600 stalls, open every Saturday and Wednesday, so if you like markets you can add this destination to your list. Once you have finished in Eumundi you will follow the signs out to the Bruce Highway and Brisbane in particular.
Macadamia and Ginger Nut Factories, Yandina .
Within about 10 minutes of heading along the Highway you will see a turn off for Yandina. Follow the signs to the Ginger Factory and this will bring you straight to both the Macadamia Nut Factory and the Ginger factory, as they are located opposite each other in the one street.
*Yandina's Macadamia Nut Factory runs tours of the processing plant in macadamia nut season, and also provides delicious samples.
* Yandina's Ginger Factory is set on a large property, accessed by train rides to better appreciate the hundreds of varieties of ginger plants on display. The ginger store inside feature's the biggest range of ginger goodies in the world, think spreads, jams, pickles, and sweets, just for starters. Those who have worked up a thirst can grab a coffee, snack or light lunch from the cafe there. Visitors can also take free guided tours of the factory and processing plant itself. Children are also nicely catered for with the Gingerbread Man on Overboard adventure tour.
The Blackall Range Tourist Drive .
Once you have left the Yandina factories you will need to turn around and head back to the Bruce Highway, following the signs for Brisbane. When you see the signs forNambour, Mapleton, Montville, Maleny, and the Blackall Range Tourist Drive, you will need to exit. The Blackall Range tourist drive is incredibly well sign posted for visitors, so there is little chance of losing your way.
Some places you may want to investigate further along this tourist drive are :
* Mapleton Village and Mapleton Falls. Just as you enter the village of Mapleton, you will need to follow the sign to your right for the falls. For those who don't like walking too far, the Mapleton Falls are perfect. Simply take the car all the way to the end of the sign posted road for a great view of the bridal veil falls, along with fabulous valley outlooks. Parents of children will appreciate the great kid's playground, complete with flying fox, located in the lake park. This is conveniently located just around the corner form a great little fish and chip shop.Criollo's Coffee Shop will be hard to pass if you are a great fan of hot chocolates, or anything chocolaty, really.
* Kondallila Falls, near Flaxton. Look out for the sign on the right leading to this waterfall situated in pristine rainforest. The 25 minute walk will give visitors the opportunity to possibly see goannas and multitudes of native birds. At the end of the walk you can cool off with a refreshing dip in the waterfall pool.
* Flaxton, Le Realis Bressan. In the village of Flaxton is this gorgeous restaurant serving proper French cuisine at affordable tariffs. Those who are interested in the history of motoring will enjoy the small French motor museum next door.
* Montville Village. Perched high above sea level, and offering superb views of the entire Sunshine Coast is the beautiful village of Montville. This village has many, many galleries, and shops featuring such goodies as antiques, hand made jewellery, arts and crafts, along with other variousspecialty shops. You will probably need to factor in at least 60 minutes of wandering around this village. Look out for the Mayfield Centre on the way into the village. This is a row of shops featuring the most astounding vistas from the rear of their properties.
Once you have worked up a thirst or hunger, there is the fabulous Poet's Cafe offering world class views and lovely ambiance.
The Green Frog Gallery can be found on the right when heading out of the village towards Maleny.
The Maleny Cheese Factory is literally just down the road past the Green Frog and offers fabulous cheese platters, served alongside locally produced wines, if you fancy.
Half a kilometre past the cheese factory there is a T intersection where you will need to turn left and then right to bring you into Mountain View Road, very appropriately named as you will soon see. Get ready to pull into roadside lookouts for magnificent scenery of the Glasshouse Mountains.
On the right is located an excellent botanical garden, Mary Cairncross Park, which any plant lover will enjoy.
* Maleny Village. This is a cute little country village that you can explore if you still have the time and the stamina.
Leaving the Blackall Ranges for Your Journey Back to Accommodation Noosa .
Your journey back to your accommodation in Noosa can be a relaxed country drive through country back drives, a dramatic zig zag down an escarpment, offering amazing views, or the same journey that you experienced on the way in.
Those seeking the leisurely country drive without any highway driving should carry on through Maleny and follow the signs through Kenilworth and then on to Eumundi. Those after the dramatic escarpment views should turn back as if going to Montville, but before arriving at Montville, you will be turning right at the sign for Palmwoods-Woombye Road. You will then follow the signs and hop back on the Bruce Highway, heading in a northerly direction towards Gympie, but leaving the Bruce Highway at Eumundi.
Conclusion .
The Blackall Ranges scenic drive is a fabulous day out in the country. Amazing views of the entire Sunshine Coast, along with valley and mountain panorama, are the backdrop to an astounding array of eateries, wineries, galleries, and shops of all varieties.
No wonder these names were not familiar - Brisbane! I have a friend who is coming here to visit in 2010 - maybe I should go there? enjoyed this! Marijo (Mary Jo)
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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