CLASS WORKSHOP MAPLETON

Named after the spectacular Kondalilla Falls, where Skene Creek drops 90 metres into a rainforest valley, this park is a cool mountain retreat and an important refuge for many native animals and plants. The park takes its name from an Aboriginal word meaning 'rushing waters'. Five rare and threatened frog species as well as the rare bopple nut, a species of macadamia plant, are found here. Birdwatchers and nature photographers love this park, with its views, rainforest and wildlife. Enjoy a picnic at Kondalilla Falls day-use area. Stroll along the easy 1.7 kilometre Picnic Creek circuit or take the more challenging 4.6 kilometre Kondalilla Falls circuit, with about 100 steps and views of the falls. If you are feeling fit, you can enjoy a section of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, starting from Baroon Pocket Dam picnic area (near Lake Baroon) and walking to Kondalilla Falls picnic area (11.7 kilometres one way) or continuing on to Flaxton walkers' camp, a bush camp provided especially for walkers, (a further 4.6 kilometres one way).

Casa Di Natura' - House of Nature, is a boutique luxury Day Spa Centre, located in the beautiful, tranquil surroundings of the Blackall Range on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland at Flaxton (next door to Montville) on eight acres of rainforest and bushland offering a completely private, relaxing and indulgent experience. It is a haven of peace and healing for women, and the other family members they bring. Be indulged with a selection of massages, body treatments, facials and healing therapies from their highly qualified Practitioners. From the moment you arrive, you will feel special and cared for. Connection is their passion. If they can help you feel bliss ... passion ... life ... and completely divine, then they have done their magic. The tranquil sounds and native beauty of the lush surrounds will mesmerise you into a state of deep relaxation empowering you to reconnect, find balance and release stress. Whether you want a personal experience or come as a group of friends, Casa Di Natura is a loving, energising and natural retreat where all your worries can be left behind and be truly pampered. Your unique spa experience is aimed at enhancing and promoting health, wellbeing and holistic wellness.

Winding through the spectacular Blackall Range, a cool retreat in the hinterland of Queensland's Sunshine Coast, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk traverse some of Queensland's most scenic natural areas in Kondalilla and Mapleton Falls National Park and Mapleton Forest Reserve. Walk traverses the very best of the Blackall Range with three overnight walkers' camps. Campsites must be booked in advance. Day visitors can access sections of the great walk for shorter walks. The majority of the great walk is Class Three and Four walking track standard. Walkers need a moderate level of fitness and good ankle supporting footwear.

Delicia Road Conservation Park on the scenic Blackall Range is a small park protecting remnant forest communities. It is a refuge for wildlife and a special place where visitors can enjoy a peaceful native forest. The land was generously donated by Linda Garrett. Locals refer to it as Linda Garrett Park. Walk the easy 2.2 kilometre Linda Garrett circuit through rainforest, a palm grove and tall, wet eucalypt forest. Enjoy a section of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk. Along Gheerulla Creek, look for a great barred frog. Birdwatchers may be fortunate to hear the melodic, drumming call of the endangered marbled frogmouth.

Ethically and sustainably produced from their own vineyards and farms, the wine and the food at Flame Hill Vineyard is prepared and served with conscience, guaranteeing patrons an experience of paramount quality at this world class venue featuring breathtaking ocean views and mountain vistas. By definition firstly a winery, featuring a quality range of estate grown wines, offering sales and tastings from the cellar door within a contemporary Queenslander. The Deck Restaurant featuring a la carte fare from off farm seasonal produce matched to the estate grown wines is the essence of relax - unwind - breath Whilst the restaurant is relaxed and casual the guests can also opt for Charcuterie or Regional Cheeses on the Terrace which flows onto the lawns leading to the Shiraz Vines. At Flame Hill, they like to know where their wine and food comes from!

Under the watchful eye of acclaimed chef, Cameron Matthews, The Long Apron has made Spicers Clovelly Estate a destination for foodies from around Australia. From a croissant on the sun drenched terrace, to a cassoulet shared with someone you love in the dining room, The Long Apron offers a unique taste of Modern European in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The Long Apron restaurant serves contemporary and classic European cuisine in an understated and elegant dining room or garden terrace area. The food is meticulously prepared and only the freshest seasonal produce is used, sourced from on the property and the surrounding local area. The Long Apron offers five and seven course degustation menu as well as 'Table d'hote'.

In Mapleton Forest Reserve, Mapleton Forest Drive winds through deep forest, past Cooloolabin Dam, to Point Glorious lookout where great coastal and hinterland views await. Picnic at the Mapleton day-use area near Cedar Creek's headwaters or camp at Gheerulla Creek. (Bring a fuel stove or firewood). From the day-use area, enjoy an easy walk through blackbutt forest. Go on the forest drive and stop to enjoy the Bonyee walk through piccabeen palm groves to a large bunya pine. Registered and licence motor bike riders can enjoy the 26 kilometre special purpose Gheerulla motor bike track. At Point Glorious, enjoy the view or practise abseiling. From Delicia Road Conservation Park, enjoy a two to four day Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great! Walk circuit.

Mapleton Falls National Park marks the point just west of Mapleton where Pencil Creek cascades 120 metres over an escarpment. This small, day-use-only park shelters many bird species, including the peregrine falcon, eastern whipbird and wompoo fruit-dove. From the carpark, enjoy a short walk to Mapleton Falls lookout (wheelchair access to toilet and lookout). The panoramic view takes in the waterfall, rainforest valley and Obi Obi Valley. Look for peregrine falcons soaring above - in early spring they roost on the edges of the falls. From the open, grassy picnic area, the Wompoo circuit winds through eucalypts and rainforest. Listen for the fruit-dove's booming calls, 'wallock-a-woo' and 'book-a-roo'. Near the causeway pool, listen for frogs and look for distinctive hexagonal volcanic rocks.