Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve - Jinibara Country

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There is a place on the Sunshine Coast, on Jinibara Country, where the view takes you to a new level. It is a view that cannot be described. It needs to be witnessed. Set alongside a great playground and nature reserve, and next door to a quality cafe and educational facility, this view is one that many brides have used as the backdrop for their formal photos.


The Mary Cairncross Reserve includes walking tracks, a Rainforest Centre, and 55 hectares of subtropical rainforest. There are BBQs and kookaburras, water dragons and perfect picnic spots. My kids love nature and recommend this destination as a treasure chest of new experiences. The cafe next door serves basic food like croissants, toasties, scones, lamingtons and sandwiches, and it does it well. With a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, you will be pleased with the amount of wildlife joining you for a snack and delighted at the view of the stunning Glasshouse Mountains behind you. Good coffee is also on offer, and if you grab a takeaway, you can then cross the road and sit at the lookout watching the sun rise or set on the volcanic structures in the distance.


The playground in the reserve is cute. It consists of a tree house and some solid climbing and exploring opportunities. It is largely sheltered by the old-world trees around you, which is a blessing on a QLD summer's day. It can get quite hot here. Similarly, if you visit in the cooler months, take a windproof jacket as it can get very cold. It is truly special in the cooler months, with crisp temperatures, perfectly blue skies, the smell of log fires, and glistening drops of dew everywhere. The cafe has an open fireplace which is totally needed when the mercury drops up here. There just can't be anything better than hot chocolates and coffee, alongside a raging fire, with the camera focused on the mountains in the distance.


There are 391 plant species here and 141 bird species. You and your kids will find an abundance of relaxation opportunities and time will start to finally slow down. Keep in mind that the parkland can get busy on beautiful days, especially weekends, so be sure to arrive early to grab your table if you so desire. The last time we visited we were also treated to a horse and cart display along the road as the carriage made its way up the road to the many gorgeous restaurants and bed and breakfasts further along the road. If you have the chance, this is a place you can make a weekend of.


The Rainforest Discovery Centre is open every day from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Entry is via a gold coin donation, which then goes back into supporting the environment and its creatures in this location. The kids will love it and learn even more. Take some time to research the Dreamtime stories surrounding the Glasshouse Mountains and process the age of these divine structures. Located at 148 Mountain View Road, Maleny, the conservation park is located on the Blackall Ranges. It is 88 kilometres north of Brisbane and 30 kilometres west of Caloundra.


This is a great Sunday drive from Brisbane or the Gold Coast or a hop-skip-and-a-jump from the Sunshine Coast. It ticks all the boxes for my Miss Seven, Miss Five, and Master Two, and as an amateur photographer, I couldn't have been happier with the results of my snapping. See what you think!

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#picnic_spots
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#outdoor
#kids

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