The Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland was named after Samuel Blackall, the second Governor of Queensland. It is 550 metres above sea level at its highest point and in some places you can see to Bribie Island, Moreton Island, the Glasshouse Mountains, Mt Coolum, Mt Ninderry and the lush valleys and townships that dot the Sunshine Coast.
The blue skies and the green rolling hills made for a spectacular scenic drive. The quaint little towns dotted with art galleries, food, wine, shopping, rainforest walks, coffee, views, playgrounds (naturally) and other surprises made for a fantastic day.
On the way to the Blackall Range we thought we'd check out the Big Pineapple in Nambour. You'd think it wouldn't be hard to find, huh? Well, it was nowhere to be seen today! We concluded that it must have been stolen by the same mob who stole the Big Mango in Bowen.
We continued on to the Mapleton Falls National Park. The 120 metre high falls are part of Pencil Creek can be viewed from a lookout next to the car park. From there we took the 1.3 km Wompoo Circuit through the remnant rainforest.
Unlike Bruce, I don't think I could ever get sick of rainforest. Although not a lush rainforest like in northern Queensland, the incredible size of the Queensland Kaori pines and the many magnificent stag and elk horns growing randomly on host trunks and branches is really impressive.
Apparently if you're quiet you can hear the Wompoo Fruit Dove calling from its treetop feeding site. We couldn't hear anything over the ridiculously loud stream of Knock Knock jokes that Jack, Jarrah and Fletcher bombarded us with for the whole 40 minute trek!
Our next stop was Montville. Located on the range overlooking the Sunshine Coast, Montville was predominantly a logging and then farming community, becoming known as a popular tourist metropolis in the early 1900s.
With its small village charm the town is appreciated for its many different architectural styles representing Tudor, Irish, English, Bavarian and Swiss. The main street is lined from top to bottom with shops offering everything from hand made chocolates to cuckoo clocks and it would be easy to while away the whole day wandering through the town exploring the many colourful wares on offer. If I didn't have three kids, that is.
We did manage a wander through the Clock Shop, the Chocolate Shop and a couple of other funky craft/gift shops before the troops dragged me away.
Within this quaint stone and shingle building is housed Australia's largest collection of German Cuckoo Clocks, Blackforest Clocks and Bavarian handicrafts. They've got grandfather clocks, beautifully carved cuckoo clocks, traditional wall regulators, melodic mantle clocks and many modern varieties with precision movements and wonderfully finished designs.
Bruce was keen to purchase a Grandfather Clock, but in consideration of the fact that is was $15000 and we had nowhere to put it in the caravan, we decided against it.
By now it was almost midday and the kids were having withdrawal symptoms, so we made for the nearest playground. Just a stone's throw from where we'd been shopping we found the Russell Family Park - a beautiful park in the centre of Montville with spring fed lagoons, easy walking paths, picnic shelters and of course a children's playground. In order to not waste a minute, the boys decided to enjoy their picnic lunch at the top of the spider web!
Not far out of Montville, Bruce pulled over in a private driveway, to allow the car behind us to overtake. It was a really nice view from here so I jumped out of the car to take a photo. As it turns out, the people in the car behind us had the same idea. The other girl and I were standing almost shoulder to shoulder with our cameras before we suddenly recognised each other. Lots of screaming and kissing and hugging ensued!
Heather and I had been besties in primary school, and we had maintained contact when her family moved to Eaton in the early 80s. We lost contact for quite some time, then met up again through a mutual friend in 2006, just after Mum died. The last time I saw Heather was at Jack's Not a Baby Shower lunch at Sitella Winery in the Swan Valley in 2006. Until today, that is! She lives in Bunbury but is in Brisbane visiting her sister Fiona, who I also remember well.
I am still blown away by the randomness of our meeting! Bruce said their car had been behind us for quite some time, and had we not both pulled over at exactly the same moment the connection would never have been made! Unfortunately, Heather and Fiona were racing the clock to get back to Brisbane for the school pick up, so we barely had time to exchange phone numbers before the encounter was over, with both of us left wondering whether it actually occurred at all!
Our next stop was at Maleny Cheese. This little 'demonstration cheesery' makes and sells boutique cheese and yoghurt products made with locally sourced milk from the 'happy cow' herds of the Maleny Plateau.
It was cool to watch the production area from their panoramic window in the café.
Owners Markus and Sara Bucher employ 40 locals and keep 4 local families on their farms by "consistently paying a real price for their milk."
We were happy to support such a business and purchased some of their yummy Pecorino and Wasabi Cheddar. We also bought some of their gourmet yoghurt - mango and apple & cinnamon flavours! Oh, and some beef jerky. Go figure!
Next stop was the Mary Cairncross Park, with it's spectacular view across to the Glass House Mountains.
As lovely as the view was, by this stage the troops were revolting and flatly refused another rainforest walk. So it was that we were off to yet another playground, this time for an all-in game of Johnston chasey. Bruce and I dominated of course, but had to call a halt before the final whistle due to the blood rule.
Our final stop was the town of Maleny. A nice enough little town, but not really a patch on Montville. We wandered up and down the very busy main street, witnessed a bingle and got to know one of the locals at a side walk café.
Before we knew it, it was late afternoon and time to head for home base once more.
We enjoyed a bacon and mushroom risotto for dinner, topped with scrummy Maleny Pecorino.
Diaries. Dessert. Dreamland.
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