Montville or Maleny for a Couples Weekend?
Two villages, one ridge, and a cottage in between
Choose Montville for a polished, European feeling village of boutiques, galleries, chocolatiers and big view lunches. Choose Maleny for a relaxed country town with a Sunday market, cheese, craft beer and the Obi Obi Creek platypus. You do not have to choose: Lillypilly's sits on a ridge about 5 minutes from Montville and 10 minutes from Maleny.
Last updated 27 October 2026
Montville: village charm and long lunches
Montville has a European alpine feel that suits a slow amble. Cottage style boutiques, chocolatiers, the Clock Shop with its cuckoo clocks and antique timepieces, Fudgyboombahs and lookouts over the coast line the main street. Time it for lunch and pair it with Flame Hill Vineyard or The Long Apron, a French inspired hatted restaurant on the Spicers Clovelly Estate.
Art lovers can visit Secrets Gallery on Lake Baroon, the Montville Art Gallery (established 1972) and Illume Creations for glass art.
Maleny: markets, cheese and creek walks
Maleny is a working country town. Maple Street has independent bookshops, homewares and cafes spilling onto the footpath, and the Maleny Sunday Market runs undercover every Sunday. Food lovers can taste handcrafted cheese at Maleny Cheese, choose from over 250 cheeses at Maleny Food Co and visit Brouhaha Brewery.
The Obi Obi Creek boardwalk is one of the few places in Australia where you can regularly spot wild platypus, best in the early morning or late afternoon. Maleny Botanic Gardens, called the Jewel of Maleny locally, and the Mary Cairncross rainforest walk are close by.
Why stay between them
Lillypilly's is on the Maleny-Montville Road at Balmoral Ridge, about 5 minutes from Montville and 10 minutes from Maleny. You can have a Montville lunch and a Maleny market without changing accommodation, then return to a private cottage with a spa bath, a wood fire and dinner served to your verandah.
The hinterland is also home to a DarkSky International Dark Sky Reserve, so on a clear night the Milky Way is bright above the ranges. The cottage verandahs and outdoor daybeds are made for it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Montville or Maleny better for a romantic weekend?
Montville suits couples who like boutiques, galleries and big view lunches. Maleny suits couples who like markets, cheese, craft beer and nature walks. Staying between them, about 5 minutes from Montville and 10 minutes from Maleny, lets you enjoy both.
How far apart are Montville and Maleny?
Montville is about a 15 minute drive from Maleny along the Blackall Range, and the Maleny-Montville Road passes close to our cottages.
What guests say
Read independent guest reviews of Lillypilly's on TripAdvisor and Google.
Plan your own Maleny and Montville escape.