Landsborough - Places to See

Landsborough Museum
The highlight of any visit to Landsborough is the Landsborough Museum which has to be one of the finest and most comprehensive folk museums in Australia. Its displays are interesting and detailed. It is located at 4 Maleny Road and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., closed Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, tel: (07) 5494 1755. Web address: http://www.landsboroughmuseum.org.au

De Maine Pottery and Gallery
Further along, at 55 Maleny Rd, is De Maine Pottery, which is open from Thursday to Monday. It is the studio of award-winning clay artists and potter, Johanna De Maine, tel: (07) 5494 1458 or check out: http://johanna.demaine.org/

Big Kart Track and Bungy Bullet
Located just to the north-east, on Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive, visitors can take a ride in one of 60 motorised go-karts. There is a 1200-metre track for adults and a separate track for youngsters. Concessions are available for group bookings and night rides are available.Thrill-seekers may enjoy the sensation of being shot 50 metres in the air in just one second on the Bungy Bullet, attaining a thrust of 4 Gs. This is, in essence, an open capsule, securely seating two people, which is literally flung into the air via a huge catapult. Slot-car racing and video games are available, there is a large kiosk, barbecue facilities are provided and staff cater to various European languages. They are open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. every day except Friday when they close at 10.00 p.m., tel: (07) 5494 1613 or check out: http://www.bigkart.com.au/

Omaru Archery Park
Toxophilites can get their fill to the north of Landsborough, at 223 Kings Rd, in the Mooloolah Valley. It has shaded walking tracks through state forest and rainforest and 25 three-dimensional targets. Visitors can camp within the grounds (camping facilities are provided) and can also enjoy swimming in the natural water holes, and freshwater fishing for golden perch, silver perch and bass. Saltwater fishing, 4WD and horseriding are also available by arrangement. The Park is open from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily. tel: (07) 5494 7593 or email info@doringindustries.com

Australia Zoo
About 3 km south of Landsborough, on Glass House Mountians Tourist Route, is Australia Zoo, the home of The Crocodile Hunter. It occupies 45 acres of bushland and contains around 750 species, including endangered animals. Demonstrations (some involving photo and handling opportunities) include foxes, otters, crocodiles, large pythons birds of prey, koalas, kangaroos, camels and a galapagos tortoise. It is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and the cost of entry, at September, 2010, was $57 for adults, $34 for children, $46 for pensioners and students and $187 for families (consisting of two adults and up to three children), tel: (07) 5436 2000, info@australiazoo.com.au or http://www.australiazoo.com.au/

Beerwah and Hilton Gardens
5 km south of Landsborough is the prosperous rural community of Beerwah, named after the Aboriginal word for one of the Glass House Mountains (see entry on Glass House Mountains). Beerwah came to replace Campbellville and Coochin as the major centre of this timber district after the arrival of the railway in 1890. Today the district produces strawberries, macadamias, pineapples, avocados, custard apples and vegetables. A local market is held on the first Saturday of each month at the community hall in Simpson St.

Situated on Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive is Hilton Gardens, which is open every day except Monday, tel: (07) 5494 6270. Beerwah also has an 18-hole golf course.

Coochin Creek State Forest Park
Those wanting to explore some of the less populated aspects of the Sunshine Coast hinterland can investigate the pine forests of Coochin Creek State Park, located to the south-east of Landsborough (between the Bruce Highway and Pumicestone Channel). It offers opportunities for picnicking, swimming, fishing, picnicking, barbecues and camping. There is also a boat ramp in the park. Access is via Roys Rd, tel: (07) 5494 0150.

Markets and Events
10 km west of Beerwah, along the Beerwah-Kilcoy Rd, is Peachester, which is surrounded by farms at the foot of the Maleny Plateau. Markets are held every Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Markets are also held at Landsborough each Saturday morning from 8.00 a.m. in Memorial Hall, with live jazz.

The Landsborough Heritage Festival is held in October.