History

"Timber Getters" were the first settlers in the late 1880s. The school was named Montville after the hometown in the U.S.A of Henry Smith, one of the first settlers.

At a glance

Queensland romanticism and a holiday romance. A place where damper and tea can still be ordered on the breakfast menu, Montville has been a hinterland retreat since the 1920s and is a growing favourite Sunshine Coast holiday destination for couples celebrating a special occasion. Montville is snuggled into the lush Kondalilla National Park, a natural beauty that most of its accommodation readily takes advantage of. Cosy B&Bs, log cabins and unique treehouses provide secret hide-aways for lovers of art and fine food. Swimming holes are a summer refresher and walking tracks an ideal winter escape.

Taste

From bush tucker to five-star delights, Montville has it all and serves it up with pride. Main Street is home to a variety of cafes and restaurants including the Poet's Café that boasts its own natural spring, and Lyles of Montville where you can enjoy both modern seasonal cuisine and your old favourites on the verandah or next to the open fire. For a venue that will inspire, try Tree Tops Restaurant. You can browse their art gallery before the meal and then dine on the bush deck overlooking the splendour of Kondalilla National Park.  While its fashion boutiques and gift shops are charming, Montville is a beacon for Queensland artistic culture, and there are plenty of opportunities to buy unique contemporary and classic works at a variety of galleries and shops. The Montville Art Gallery is just one of the superb galleries dotting Main Street. Its exhibitions constantly change and feature emerging local and Australian artists. For something different visit Illume Creations for pieces by one of Australia's few female hot glass artists, including some of Australia's largest vessels.

Play

Visit the cellar door of Settler's Rise winery and you will be able to play for hours. Participate in a wine tasting experience and learn about the special qualities of the local wine. Complement your wine with local produce and a cheese platter while soaking up the beautiful surroundings. Can hours of massage be classed as play? It should be! The Montville Healing Centre offers massage therapy, natural healing procedures and readings. Find out what your future holds with a reading then completely forget about it with a relaxing massage.

Explore

The Aboriginal name "Kondalilla" means "rushing water".  To take full advantage of the Kondalilla Falls, most visitors pack some food, water and swimmers and make a day of it.  A pleasant hike will lead you to where Skene Creek drops 90 metres into a rainforest valley. This cool mountain retreat is an important refuge for many native animals and plants, none of which mind you visiting. For something a bit more challenging, bushwalkers can embark on the Great Walk north to Mapleton Forest or south via the famed Obi Obi Gorge enroute to Baroon Pocket Dam.

Local knowledge

Montville hosts frequent garden shows, cultural events and art exhibitions, often fuelled by a group of renowned artists from around the country that now call Montville home.

Look out for the local Southern Platypus frog - an elusive creature that lets its tadpoles grow in its stomach. On your search you may also hear "wollack-a-woo"- the deep resonating call of the Wompoo pigeon- a large bird with a rich purple throat, chest and upper belly, the Wompoo is also known to scare walkers with a more abrupt "boo!" call.

Click here to discover a day in the hinterland