Mary Cairncross Reserve

Mary Cairncross Reserve: Your Local's Guide to a Magical Rainforest Escape

Quick Facts:Welcome to Mary Cairncross Reserve

• Location: 148 Mountain View Road, Maleny QLD – just over an hour from Brisbane and about 40 minutes from Caloundra.
• Size: 55 hectares of subtropical rainforest
• Established: Reserve declared in 1941, visitor centre opened in 2017
• Known for: Rainforest walks, Glass House Mountains views, picnic spots, wildlife encounters, family-friendly activities

Tucked away in the lush Sunshine Coast Hinterland near Maleny, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve feels like stepping into another world. This protected pocket of subtropical rainforest is a peaceful escape where ancient trees tower above, the forest floor crunches softly beneath your feet, and whipbirds call from the undergrowth. Whether you’re a local looking for a tranquil morning walk or a visitor chasing unforgettable views of the Glass House Mountains, this spot is worth adding to your Sunshine Coast itinerary.

Named in honour of Mary Thynne (née Cairncross), this reserve was gifted by her children to preserve the land and its natural beauty. Today, it's not only a safe place for wildlife but an area where people of all ages come to slow down, explore, and reconnect with nature.

What to Expect

Mary Cairncross Reserve is made up of a few key areas:

• Rainforest Walking Tracks
• Elevated Viewing Deck with Panoramic Views
• Interactive Discovery Centre
• Café and Picnic Facilities
• Children’s Playground and Open Grass Area

It’s a compact reserve that packs a lot into a visit. You could come for a 30-minute stroll or linger for half a day with a picnic and a coffee while the kids play.

The Rainforest Walks

The highlight here is the loop walking trail through the pristine rainforest. It’s an easy, mostly flat 1.7km circuit on well-maintained gravel paths, suitable for all fitness levels, including kids and older visitors.

The walk winds under strangler figs, piccabeen palms, and towering white booyongs, with interpretive signs along the way. There are benches if you need a rest, and even when it’s busy, the forest feels calming. You'll hear whipbirds, catbirds, and perhaps glimpse a pademelon (a shy rainforest wallaby) hopping across the path.

One of the most magical parts? On misty mornings, the forest takes on a fairy-tale quality. Last time I visited, fog drifted through the trees, and everything felt hushed, like the rainforest was holding its breath. Then, a pair of king parrots landed on a low branch just metres away. Absolute magic.

The View: Glass House Mountains Lookout

Even if you don’t do the walk, stop in for one of the best panoramic views of the Glass House Mountains. The viewing platform outside the visitor centre offers a stunning, unobstructed outlook. You can see Mount Beerwah, Mount Tibrogargan, and others rising like ancient sentinels from the plains below.

There are binoculars fixed in place if you want a closer look, and it’s a favourite photo spot for visitors. Insider tip: Sunset from here is incredible. Bring a thermos of tea and watch the colours shift across the mountains.

Family-Friendly Fun

Families will find plenty to love here. The Discovery Centre is a hands-on, interactive space inside the main building with displays about local ecosystems, animal tracks, tree identification, and even a microscope table. Kids can learn about the forest in fun, tactile ways.

Outside, there’s a wooden playground, wide lawns for a picnic or a game of footy, and plenty of picnic tables (some with BBQs). It’s a great place to stretch the legs on a day trip to the Hinterland.

Local Tip: There are often school holiday programs and guided walks. Check the Sunshine Coast Council website or ask inside the Discovery Centre for what’s on.

Wildlife & Nature Spotting

Mary Cairncross is teeming with life – some of it obvious, some you’ll have to look for. Keep an eye (and ear) out for:

• Red-legged pademelons (usually seen early morning or late afternoon)
• Eastern yellow robins and green catbirds
• Goannas and the occasional python (non-venomous)
• Sugar gliders, microbats, and possums after dark (on night walks)
• Bush turkeys scratching near the picnic area

If you’re lucky, you might see a land mullet – a giant black skink that likes to sun itself near the path. Don't worry, all the reptiles here are harmless and shy.

Safety Tips & Visitor Info Facilities & Accessibility 

• Stay on the path. This protects both the fragile ecosystem and your own safety. The rainforest is delicate, and straying off can harm plant life or disturb wildlife.
• Bring insect repellent. It’s a rainforest, after all – especially during wetter months.
• Wear closed shoes. Even though it’s an easy path, you might encounter mud or tree roots.
• Leave no trace. There are bins near the carpark and picnic areas, but best practice is to take your rubbish home.
• Supervise children. While the paths are safe, curious little ones might be tempted to step into the undergrowth.

The reserve is well-equipped, with:

• Toilets (including accessible toilets and baby change facilities)
• Accessible paths suitable for prams and wheelchairs (ask staff for the best sections)
• Free parking, but it can fill up on weekends
• A café with coffee, breakfast, and light meals (open most days)
• Gift shop with books, locally-made items, and sustainable products

There is a small suggested donation if you walk the track, which goes towards maintenance and conservation. Pay at the kiosk or donation box.

A Great Day Trip Idea

Mary Cairncross Reserve is a perfect stop as part of a day trip to Maleny and Montville. Start your day with a bushwalk at the reserve, have a coffee while soaking up the view, and then head into Maleny for lunch, cheese tasting, or a browse through the bookshops and boutiques. Montville is just a bit further up the range and has art galleries, fudge shops, and more lookouts.

Final Thoughts on the Mary Cairncross Reserve

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is one of those rare places that appeals to just about everyone. It’s gentle and wild at once – a place where kids can play, couples can stroll, and nature lovers can lose themselves in the green. Whether you go for the mountain views, the bird calls, or just to breathe in the fresh rainforest air, you’ll come away refreshed.

It’s a reminder that the Sunshine Coast isn’t just about beaches – it’s also about lush forests, misty mountains, and the simple joy of being outside.

Take your time here. Bring a camera, pack a thermos, or just wander slowly and let the forest do its thing. And if you catch the morning light filtering through the trees or see a pademelon hop by, you’ll understand why Mary Cairncross Reserve is a local favourite.

Want more Hinterland adventures? Be sure to check out our nearby guides to Maleny and Montville for more day trip inspiration.

Return to The Sand Castle Chronicles Home Page