Maleny, Queensland

Maleny Queensland
Main street of Maleny
Maleny
Coordinates	26°46′S 152°51′E / 26.767°S 152.850°E / -26.767; 152.850Coordinates: 26°46′S 152°51′E / 26.767°S 152.850°E / -26.767; 152.850
Population	3,441 (2011 census)
Postcode(s)	4552
Elevation	425 m (1,394 ft)
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region
State electorate(s)	Glass House
Federal Division(s)	Fisher
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 23.2 °C 74 °F 14.2 °C 58 °F 2,000.8 mm 78.8 in

Maleny is a small, scenic town 90 kilometres (56 mi) north of Brisbane on the Blackall Range overlooking the Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland, Australia. Nearby towns include Landsborough, Montville, Peachester, Palmwoods and Hunchy. Nearby places of geographical significance include the Glass House Mountains and Baroon Pocket Dam.

Maleny is situated approximately 450 metres (1,480 ft) above sea level, among the characteristic rolling green hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Prior to European settlement, the area was covered in thick sub-tropical rainforest with huge hardwood trees. Timber-getters in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries opened up the area seeking valuable timber, which was prized locally and in Europe. Heavy logging led to the almost complete denuding of the rainforest clad hills in the district around Maleny. Pockets of forest remain in steeper terrain and in one large remnant patch (around 40 Hectares or 100 Acres) which now forms Mary Cairncross Reserve.

Located on the humid eastern slopes of the Blackall Range, Maleny is one of the wettest towns in Queensland away from the north tropical coast. The average annual rainfall is about 2,000 mm (79 in); however, during unusually wet years 12-month rainfall totals of up to 4,000 mm (160 in) can be recorded, with monthly totals over 1,000 mm (39 in) and 24-hour totals up to 300 mm (12 in). Temperatures are mild and rarely get above 35 °C (95.0 °F) in summer or drop below 5 °C (41.0 °F) in winter.

The area around Maleny was originally populated by the Nalbo and the Dallambara - two aboriginal tribes of the Gubbi Gubbi language group. The area was known for its bunya feasts which happened every third year when the giant bunya tree was in fruit.