Maleny Things to Do
Cafés, Bookshops and a Platypus Walk
My favourite Maleny things to do include a café stop, a wander along Maple Street and a walk to look for platypus. Add some lunch and time to browse, and that’s a pretty good outing!
On our visits, we’ve enjoyed coffee at Espresso on Maple, browsed Rosetta Books and picked up sandwiches from a bakery to eat in Cooke Park. The highlight, though, was finally spotting wild platypus along Obi Obi Creek.
If that sounds like your sort of day, here are a few things to do in this cute little town.
Shotgun Espresso, Maple Street- Sadly, they are now permanently closed
Coffee and People-Watching at Espresso on Maple
We stopped at Espresso on Maple for flat whites and a hot chocolate and took a seat at the outdoor tables. Being right on Maple Street, there was plenty going on—people walking past, traffic and a bit of people-watching while we enjoyed our drinks.
The tables had cute little espresso cups decorated with coffee beans. I liked them enough to take a photo! Our drinks were good, and the staff were lovely.
My son accidentally left his water bottle behind, although we didn’t realise until a few hours later. When we worked out where it probably was, we went back to check. The staff had collected it and kept it aside in case we returned. A small thing, but very much appreciated.
If you enjoy sitting outside and watching the town go about its day, this is a nice place to stop while exploring Maple Street.
Browse Rosetta Books on Maple Street
If you’re into books, Rosetta Books is absolutely worth stopping in. It’s a cute, quiet shop with a really good selection. It isn’t huge, so even a handful of people browsing can make it feel busier than it is.
They serve coffee, too—handy if you fancy combining a browse with another coffee stop! I took a few photos while we were there.
Leave yourself a little time to wander along Maple Street rather than rushing straight on to your next stop.
If browsing shops and stopping for coffee is your kind of outing, you might enjoy Montville too.
Lunch from Maleny Bakery
We bought sandwiches from Maleny Bakery, and they were good! We really enjoyed our lunch from there.
The bakery was very busy when we visited, but the queue moved quickly and the staff were friendly. We picked up our food to take away and headed to nearby Cooke Park.
Take Your Lunch to Cooke Park
Cooke Park was a nice little spot to sit and eat. There weren’t many benches, although there was a small covered area.
It’s a small park, with play equipment geared towards younger children, so it could be a handy lunch stop if you’re visiting with little ones. For us, takeaway sandwiches and a seat in the park worked well.
Children's Playground- Cooke Park, Maleny
Walk Along Obi Obi Creek to Look for Platypus
We saw a few platypus on this walk, and it was so much fun to see them in the wild! If you’re picturing something beaver-sized, think smaller. Females typically weigh around 1 kg (2.2 lb), and males around 1.5 kg (3.3 lb)—lighter than most house cats.
They were surprisingly quick swimmers and didn’t stay on the surface for long, so we kept watching for them to pop up again.
Paddocks near Platypus viewing Platform, Maleny
Third Time Lucky!
It took us three visits before we finally spotted them here, so don’t assume you’ve done anything wrong if you don’t see one!
My photos were taken from a distance, but I’ve included one of them so you can see what we spotted. Seeing wild platypus was absolutely worth coming back for.
A Country Walk Starting Right in Town
The walk itself is lovely. Leaving the businesses behind, you head into a greener, more open setting, passing paddocks and trees as you follow Obi Obi Creek.
It feels like a peaceful country walk, even though you’ve started right in town. Even if the platypus don’t cooperate, the creekside walk is a lovely addition to a visit to Maleny.
Finding the Platypus Viewing Platform
We started behind Woolworths at the Riverside Centre, near the roundabout where Maple Street meets Bunya Street. From there, we followed the creekside trail out of town.
Allow around 10–15 minutes to reach the viewing platform, depending on your pace. The platform we visited was on the right as we walked from town.
That’s the walk there—leave time for watching and the return journey, too. Stay on the marked trail and follow any signs along the way.When and How to Watch for Platypus
Early morning or late afternoon is a good time to try, although platypus are active year-round and sightings are never guaranteed.
Keep your voice low and watch from the platform rather than approaching the water. Be patient and keep scanning the surface for movement and ripples.
If one disappears underwater, don’t immediately give up—you may see it surface again. This is the part of your visit you don’t want to rush!
Massive Tree on the way to the platform!
A Couple of Neat Platypus Facts
Platypus hunt underwater but live in burrows dug into the creek bank. They hold their breath while diving and return to the surface for air.
And here’s something you might not expect: male platypus have a venomous spur on each hind leg. Because apparently even the cute wildlife has to do its bit for Australia’s reputation!
Their venom can cause severe pain, so these are definitely animals to admire from a distance.
Enjoy looking for wildlife? Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is another of my favourite places for a walk. There’s rainforest to explore and the chance to spot pademelons on the forest floor.
Maleny Things to Do on a Relaxed Day Trip
Dogs Welcome in Maleny
For a visit centred on the town, start with coffee, browse along Maple Street and pick up some lunch. You can take your time without needing to fit in a long list of attractions.
If spotting platypus is your priority, plan the town stops around an early-morning or late-afternoon walk. You might walk first and have coffee afterwards, or browse and eat before heading to the creek later in the day.
Check the businesses’ opening hours before you go, especially if you’re planning an early start or a late visit. For the walk, wear comfortable shoes and allow extra time to linger at the viewing platform.
A good café, a bookshop browse, a tasty lunch and the chance to see a platypus—that’s my kind of Maleny outing!
More Place to Explore in the Hinterland
For more exploring around Maleny, have a look at my Glass House Mountains guide. It will help you choose a walk or scenic stop for another outing.
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