ON THE MOVE: MALENY

Picturesque Maleny nestled in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is a charming arts and crafts centre with breathtaking scenery and delicious produce.

A MORNING COFFEE run on Maple Street, in the south-east Queensland town of Maleny, can often turn into an hourlong amble. A familiar face gestures for a chat; baskets of plump produce outside the co-op beckon closer inspection. “Nothing is ever rushed here, it definitely has that smalltown feel,” says Delphinia Tam-lower, who, together with her husband Simon, moved to the hinterland town from Singapore in early 2016 to raise their three young children. The pair previously worked in corporate jobs abroad, but wanted their family to have a sense of space and connectedness to nature that was missing. “It’s the exact opposite of the anonymity of being in a big city,” says Del. An hour-and-a-half’s drive from Brisbane and an hour from the postcard-perfect beaches of Noosa, the lush, undulating township of Maleny — with a population of around 5000 — has emerged from its sawmilling and dairying past as a creative hub. The town’s many markets, galleries and cooperatives support local artists, artisans and small businesses, which flourish amid Maleny’s scenic beauty and community spirit. “We felt welcomed from the day we arrived,” says Del, who runs a natural skincare business, Four Cow Farm, at the family’s nearby 25-hectare property. Del adds that a slower pace has meant less distractions and more family time. “Before we moved to Maleny, we were always hurrying to the next thing, but now we can just potter in the garden. With a young family, it’s the best place for us.” Outside the town centre, a smattering of small-scale growers and producers thrive thanks to the region’s rich, fertile soil and subtropical climate, with farmers’ markets and restaurants throughout the Sunshine Coast showcasing Maleny’s award-winning cheeses and gelatos along with its bountiful harvest of fruit and vegetables. Café owner Kelly Robson, who opened Shotgun Espresso with her husband Adrian Anderson in August 2014, appreciates being able to source high-quality local produce for their menu. “We really pride ourselves on that, and here it’s not difficult,” says Kelly, who worked as a barista in Maleny for two decades before starting her own business. “There’s a strong coffee culture and I think that ties in with that sense of community — seeing the same friendly faces every day,” says Kelly. “When you drive onto Maple Street, it feels like an extension of your own lounge room.” For more information visit hinterlandtourism.com.au