Maleny
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Maleny, QLD 4552.
About Maleny
Welcome to Maleny
Maleny sits high on the Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, roughly 90 minutes' drive north of Brisbane and a world away from the coastal strip in feel, even though the beaches are only half an hour over the range. Known for its rolling green dairy country, artesian views and creative-minded community, it's a town that has long attracted people looking to slow down without giving up good coffee.
With a population of just under 4,000 and a median age of 59, Maleny suits tree-changers, retirees and families who want space, a strong sense of community and a genuine main street, rather than a shopping centre. It draws a mix of long-time farming families, artists and professionals who've made peace with the commute in exchange for the lifestyle.
Lifestyle & dining
Maleny's main street is the heart of the town, lined with cafés, galleries, independent bookshops and produce stores that reflect the area's strong farming and artisan traditions. Weekends bring a steady flow of day-trippers up from the coast, drawn by the cooler climate, the views back over the range towards the ocean, and a food scene built on local dairy, cheese and produce rather than chain outlets.
The town has a genuinely creative streak, with regular markets, live music venues and a community-run cinema adding to a social calendar that punches well above its population size. It's a place where people tend to know their neighbours, and where the pace of life is a deliberate point of difference from the coast below.
Getting around
Maleny is car-dependent, and most residents plan around the drive rather than public transport. The Sunshine Coast's beaches, Nambour and the Bruce Highway are all reachable within 30 to 40 minutes, while Brisbane is around an hour and a half via the range roads. Local trips to North Maleny and Balmoral Ridge, both immediately neighbouring, are quick and part of daily life for many households running small acreages or hobby farms.
The winding range roads are scenic but require care, particularly at night or in fog, which is a factor worth weighing up for those used to city driving. Bus services connect Maleny to larger centres, but a car is effectively essential for work, school and shopping trips.
Schools & families
Families are well served locally, with Maleny State School and Maleny State High School covering primary and secondary schooling within the town itself, and The River School offering an alternative, nature-based education option nearby. This local schooling coverage is a drawcard for families relocating from the coast or from Brisbane who want their children to walk or ride to school in a small-town setting.
While the median age of 59 points to a population weighted towards retirees and older residents, the presence of a full run of local schools means Maleny remains a genuine option for younger families too, particularly those attracted to acreage living and a slower pace.
Parks & recreation
The surrounding landscape is really the main attraction: the Blackall Range offers walking tracks, lookouts and reserves with views stretching to the coast, along with the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve just outside town, known for its rainforest walks and wildlife. Rolling paddocks and acreage properties mean many residents have space for gardens, animals or simply a buffer from neighbours, without leaving town amenities behind.
Community sporting facilities, showgrounds and regular agricultural and craft events reflect Maleny's rural roots, and the surrounding countryside continues to support an active outdoors culture, from cycling the range roads to bushwalking in nearby reserves.
The property market
Maleny's property market has been strong, with the median house price sitting at $1.08 million after growth of 17.3% recently, a sign of sustained demand for hinterland lifestyle properties. Median rent of $760 a week reflects the premium placed on space, views and acreage in a market where supply is limited.
Current listings are dominated by houses, which make up 85% of the mix, with land parcels accounting for 9%, townhouses 5% and apartments or units just 1%. That skew towards standalone houses and land underlines Maleny's character as an acreage and lifestyle-block market rather than a medium-density one, and buyers are typically competing for established homes with land rather than off-the-plan stock.
Housing & architecture
Housing in Maleny ranges from classic Queenslander-style homes on the fringes of town to more contemporary rural retreats and hobby farms scattered across the surrounding hills towards North Maleny and Balmoral Ridge. Verandahs, elevated sites and northerly aspects designed to capture the cooler hinterland breezes are common features, given the town's higher elevation compared to the coast.
Land size varies enormously, from compact in-town blocks close to the main street to multi-acre rural properties further out, which explains the broad price range buyers encounter and the strong representation of land listings alongside established houses.
Market snapshot
Maleny property market
Median sale price
$1.08m
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$760
per week
Gross rental yield
3.6%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$691k
Median
$1.08m
Premium
$1.73m
Days on market
36
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
37
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +6.8% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Maleny by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Maleny, QLD 4552.
Population
3,959
residents (2021)
Median age
59
years
Household income
$1,144
median, per week
Median rent
$390
per week
Median mortgage
$1,625
per month
Mortgage / income
33%
stretched (>30%)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Maleny
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Recent results
Recently sold in Maleny
$1.85m
127 Maleny Stanley River Road
Sold ~July 2026
$1.11m
73 Tamarind Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.59m
116 Maleny - Kenilworth Road
Sold ~July 2026
$4.50m
104 Bridge Creek Road
Sold ~July 2026
$1.30m
5 Oak Court
Sold ~July 2026
$650k
7 Hopper Street
Sold ~June 2026
$1.52m
3 River Cherry Place
Sold ~June 2026
$1.85m
5 Rosewood Court
Sold ~June 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Maleny
Compare the area
Price map around Maleny
Every listing for sale near Maleny, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
Maleny suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Maleny?
The median house price in Maleny, QLD is $1.08m for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 17.3%.
How much is rent in Maleny?
The median weekly rent in Maleny is around $760 per week.
Is Maleny a good place to live?
Maleny is a rural town and locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. Maleny is an established residential suburb in QLD, with a population of around 3,959 and 3 schools in the area.
What is the population of Maleny?
Maleny has a population of 3,959 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 59.
What schools are in Maleny?
There are 3 schools in or near Maleny, including Maleny State School, The River School and Maleny State High School.
How long do homes take to sell in Maleny?
Properties in Maleny take around 36 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Maleny?
Entry-level properties in Maleny start around $691k, while premium homes reach $1.73m.
What suburbs are near Maleny?
Suburbs near Maleny include North Maleny and Balmoral Ridge.
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