Artworks you'll discover on this trail include oil and watercolour paintings, and extend into bronze, sandstone and marble sculptures; porcelain, wood, photography as well as hand-blown glass, silk and textiles. There really is something to capture every imagination. Take this easy two-day tour.
Day 1
Start the day with breakfast at The Orangery at Mary Cairncross Corner. An eatery famous for its eggs benedict, vegan and vegetarian breakfasts. Take a leisurely breakfast and ease into some Sunshine Coast Hinterland magic.
Kick off at Art on Cairncross right next door to The Orangery. Tony and Jane have some serious artists of which the pick, to many, would be Joanna de Maine’s ceramics. She has taught ceramics to the Chinese who invented the process which illustrates the level of her talent. Michael Taylor’s leather masks are highly prized and make extraordinary wall decorations.
Art on Cairncross.
Drag yourself away and grab a quick bite of lunch at Maleny Food Co in the main street of Maleny near the roundabout. After the bliss of a decent coffee, and some award-winning gelato, head to David Linton’s furniture and timber works. David is an acclaimed local furniture maker and you will find an inspiring range of handcrafted timber creations and sculptures by local artists. A terrific place to buy a unique gift for someone special that won’t require a mortgage extension or refinancing the family home.
Now walk up the main street of Maleny on the same side and you will reach Maleny Art Direct with the sought-after work of Lindsay Muir with his ceramic wildlife sculpture. Brilliantly created, well priced and again a fantastic gift solution his work is much in demand. Exhibiting together with Lindsay you will find Gary Myer’s paintings with his unique connection to the outback, Australian history and dramatic use of colour with just a touch of the larrikin.
Maleny Art Direct
Finally a little further up and opposite the pedestrian crossing is Peace of Green. This is a collective gallery that has been around for 23 years and is owned, managed and operated by its local member artists. Explore the array of glass, mosaic, pottery, ceramics, textiles, woodwork and paintings and just about everything in between! Daily you will find a different exhibiting artist behind the counter to help you enjoy you visit.
The pale shades of the twilight deepen and that’s it for the day! Enjoy a well-earned dinner by candelight at Pomodoras on Obi and and relax surrounded by natural wildlife and enchanting garden surroundings.
Day Two
So after a great sleep it’s off to breakfast at Spicers Tamarind in Obi Lane south just five minutes out of Maleny. Crab cake, asparagus, bacon, poached eggs with tomato served on rye and seed sourdough sounds like a creative and colourful kick off to a gallery day!
Driving back into Maleny and you'll find the Ben Messina Gallery on the main street. Ben is an award winning landscape photographer. He is purchased by royalty and can be found in the collections of thirty different countries throughout the world. Extraordinary patience, composition, colour and creativity are the hallmarks of great landscape photography. Here you will find it in spades.
Walk back down the main street just past the Maleny Visitor Information Centre call in to the second-hand book shop. If you are looking for books on fine art you may unearth the mother lode here. It is certainly worth a serious browse.
So into the car and head to Montville some fifteen minutes away. On entry to Montville turn left into Western Avenue and head down the hill to Secrets Gallery. Located on Lake Baroon it also has a brilliant café and conveniently, by now, it’s time for a coffee. Enjoy the work of local artists including the much awarded Jack Wilms who brings timber alive with his unique woodworking skills. The doors to the reception area are worth the visit alone.
Secrets Gallery.
Back up into Montville and towards the top left hand side of the main street look for the Montville Art Gallery set back from the road in a beautiful old house. The gallery was established in 1972 and is open seven days. Check out the haunting work of Richard Bogusz. Hal Barton’s is famous for his technically superb land and seascapes whilst Howard Steer will make you smile.
Montville Art Gallery.
Cross the road to the Mayfield Centre and discover Illume Creations, truly the art of colour. Tina Coopers amazing glass art sells throughout the world. You won’t miss the radiance of dichroic glass that dates back to Roman times and delivers stunning jewellery that makes great gifts of extraordinary good value.
