Blackall Range road network is a group of roads that provide access to the mountain localities and towns from various lowland places, and enable travel between the mountain communities. The network ensures continuity of access in times of flooding or other natural disasters, and during planned maintenance activities. The area serviced by the network includes the localities and towns, from south to north, of Maleny, Montville and Mapleton. It also includes the rural localities of Bald Knob, Balmoral Ridge, Flaxton, Gheerulla, North Maleny, Obi Obi and Witta.[1] The area hosts a substantial residential community plus many tourism accommodation venues.[2] At the 2021 census, the locality of Maleny had a population of 3,959 people.[3]
Landsborough–Maleny Road is a state-controlled district road (number 494).[6][7] It carries traffic from Landsborough on the Glass House Mountains Road, via Bald Knob, to Maleny, a distance of 15.2 kilometres (9.4 mi). Almost all of this road is part of Tourist Drive 23.[8]
The road runs generally north-west from Landsborough, ascending the south-eastern slope of the Blackall Range. It climbs from a lowest point of 37 metres (121 ft) to a highest point of 446 metres (1,463 ft). About 2.8 kilometres (1.7 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 860 metres (2,820 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 330 metres (1,080 ft) is greater than 15%.[9]
Major intersections (Landsborough-Maleny Road)
All distances are from Google Maps.[8] The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
South-eastern end of Landsborough–Maleny Road (Tourist Drive 23). The road starts as Railway Street, and becomes Maleny Street as it crosses the railway line.
1.1
0.68
Old Gympie Road – north (as Gympie Street North) - Mooloolah Valley - south (as Gympie Street South) – Beerwah
Road continues north-west as Maleny Street.
1.4
0.87
Maleny Street – north – Landsborough
Road continues north-west as Landsborough–Maleny Road.
Maleny–Kenilworth Road is a state-controlled district road (number 495).[6][7] It runs from Maleny, via Witta, Elaman Creek, Conondale and Cambroon, to Kenilworth, a distance of 40.7 kilometres (25.3 mi). This road is part of Tourist Drive 22.[10]
The road descends the south-western slope of the Blackall Range and then follows the Mary River valley north to Kenilworth. It descends from a highest point of 480 metres (1,570 ft) to a lowest point of 99 metres (325 ft). About 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 620 metres (2,030 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 220 metres (720 ft) is greater than 15%.[11]
A project to widen sections of the road in Conondale and Cambroon, at a cost of $4.9 million, was expected to complete late in 2022.[12]
Major intersections (Maleny–Kenilworth Road)
All distances are from Google Maps.[10] The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
Maleny–Montville Road is a state-controlled district road (number 497), rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS) It runs from Maleny, via Balmoral Ridge, to Montville, a distance of 9.9 kilometres (6.2 mi). Within the locality of Montville this road is known as Balmoral Road. It is part of Tourist Drive 23. There are no major intersections on this road.[13]
The road runs from south to north along the eastern edge of the Blackall Range. Its elevation varies from a highest point of 444 metres (1,457 ft) to a lowest point of 285 metres (935 ft). About 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 800 metres (2,600 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 970 metres (3,180 ft) is greater than 15%.[14]
Maleny–Stanley River Road
Maleny–Stanley River Road
Location
Maleny–Kenilworth Road, Maleny to Kilcoy–Beerwah Road, Peachester
Maleny–Stanley River Road is a state-controlled district road (number 493) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).[6][7] It runs from the Maleny–Kenilworth Road in Maleny, via Wootha and Booroobin, to the Kilcoy–Beerwah Road in Peachester, a distance of 20.3 kilometres (12.6 mi). The first section of this road, within the locality of Maleny, is part of Tourist Drive 23.[15]
The roads runs down a ridge to the south-west of Maleny, crosses the headwaters of the Stanley River, then turns south-east and ascends a ridge of the Conondale Range to Peachester. Its elevation varies from a highest point of 564 metres (1,850 ft) to a lowest point of 290 metres (950 ft). About 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) is between 10% and 15%, and 390 metres (1,280 ft) is greater than 15%.[16]
Major intersections (Maleny–Stanley River Road)
All distances are from Google Maps.[15] The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
North-eastern end of Maleny–Stanley River Road (Tourist Drive 23). The road starts as Myrtle Street, then Coral Street, and then becomes Maleny–Stanley River Road.
Montville–Mapleton Road is a state-controlled district road (number 499) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS). [6][7] It runs from Maleny–Montville Road in Montville, via Flaxton, to Nambour–Mapleton Road in Mapleton, a distance of 9.5 kilometres (5.9 mi). This road is also known as Flaxton Drive. It is part of Tourist Drive 23.[17]
The road runs from south to north along the eastern edge of the Blackall Range. Its elevation varies from a highest point of 419 metres (1,375 ft) to a lowest point of 299 metres (981 ft). About 3.9 kilometres (2.4 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 970 metres (3,180 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi) is greater than 15%.[18]
Major intersections (Montville–Mapleton Road)
All distances are from Google Maps.[17] The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
Nambour–Mapleton Road is a state-controlled district road (number 496) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).[6][7] It runs from Nambour Connection Road to Montville–Mapleton Road in Mapleton, a distance of 12.2 kilometres (7.6 mi).[19]
The road runs generally west from Nambour, ascending the north-eastern slope of the Blackall Range. It climbs from a lowest point of 21 metres (69 ft) to a highest point of 370 metres (1,210 ft). About 2.2 kilometres (1.4 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 900 metres (3,000 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 490 metres (1,610 ft) is greater than 15%.[20]
Major intersections (Nambour–Mapleton Road)
All distances are from Google Maps.[19] The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
Eastern end of Nambour–Mapleton Road (Tourist Drive 23). The road starts as National Park Road, becomes Netherton Street, then Blackall Terrace, and then Nambour–Mapleton Road.
Montville-Mapleton Road, Mapleton to Eumundi–Kenilworth Road, Kenilworth
Length
19.5 km (12.1 mi)
Obi Obi Road is a state-controlled district road (number 4962) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).[6][7] It runs from Montville–Mapleton Road in Mapleton, via Obi Obi and Kidaman Creek, to Eumundi–Kenilworth Road in Kenilworth, a distance of 19.5 kilometres (12.1 mi). There are no major intersections on this road.[21]
The road descends the north-western slope of the Blackall Range and then follows the valley of Obi Obi Creek north-west to Kenilworth. It descends from a highest point of 424 metres (1,391 ft) to a lowest point of 95 metres (312 ft). About 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 570 metres (1,870 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 830 metres (2,720 ft) is greater than 15%.[22]
Part of this road is split between uphill and downhill sections. The downhill section is mostly unsealed.[23]
Woombye–Montville Road
Woombye–Montville Road
Location
Nambour Connection Road, Woombye to Maleny–Montville Road, Montville
Length
13.1 km (8.1 mi)
Woombye–Montville Road is a state-controlled district road (number 498) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).[6][7] It runs from the Nambour Connection Road in Woombye, via Palmwoods, to Maleny–Montville Road in Montville, a distance of 13.1 kilometres (8.1 mi). This road is also known as Woombye–Palmwoods Road and Palmwoods–Montville Road.[24]
The road runs generally south-west from Woombye, passing through Palmwwoods, where Palmwoods–Mooloolah Road exits to the south as Chevallum Road, and following the valley of Paynter Creek to the foot of the eastern escarpment of the Blackall Range, which it ascends by a circuitous route. It climbs from a lowest point of 21 metres (69 ft) to a highest point of 380 metres (1,250 ft). About 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 590 metres (1,940 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) is greater than 15%.[25]
Major intersections (Woombye–Montville Road)
All distances are from Google Maps.[24] The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
Woombye–Montville Road, Palmwoods to Mooloolah Connection Road, Mooloolah Valley
Length
10.5 km (6.5 mi)
Palmwoods–Mooloolah Road is a state-controlled district road (number 4981) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).[6][7] It runs from Woombye–Montville Road in Palmwoods to Mooloolah Connection Road in Mooloolah Valley, a distance of 10.5 kilometres (6.5 mi). This road is also known as Chevallum Road and Eudlo Road.[26]
Tourist Drive 23
Tourist Drive 23 follows Landsborough–Maleny Road until it reaches an intersection with Mountain View Road as it enters Maleny. Here it turns south-west and continues in a generally west direction until it reaches an intersection with Maleny–Stanley River Road, where it turns north. It continues north until it reaches an intersection with Landsborough–Maleny Road (to the east) and Maleny–Kenilworth Road (to the north-west). Here it turns east and continues through the Maleny CBD and on until it reaches an intersection with Maleny–Montville Road.
Turning north it follows Maleny–Montville Road, Montville–Mapleton Road, and Nambour–Mapleton Road to its end in Nambour. Tourist Drive 23 continues across the Nambour Connection Road onto Nambour–Bli Bli Road, which it follows to the Bruce Highway.[27]
History
A track linking Landsborough to Maleny was cut in 1880.[28]
By 1922, "good" roads existed from Landsborough to Maleny and from Nambour to Mapleton and on to Montville. Plans were in hand to link Maleny to Montville and to build a new "first-class" road from Palmwoods to Montville.[29]