Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Come and explore the rainforest
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Opening this weekend!Step into 🌿 Medicinal Plants 🌿— a powerful First Nations art exhibition inviting you to explore tra...
27/04/2026

Opening this weekend!
Step into 🌿 Medicinal Plants 🌿— a powerful First Nations art exhibition inviting you to explore traditional healing and bush medicines.

Honouring the deep cultural knowledge of Jinibara artists and knowledge holders, this immersive exhibition celebrates connection to Country, community and living traditions of care and resilience.
✨ Curated by Jennifer Kent
🎨 Featuring works by Jason Murphy, Enid Morris, Allan Kina, Christopher Emerson, Shanno Riley & Jennifer Kent

📅 Friday 1st - Sunday 10th May
🕙️ 10am - 3pm
🆓 Free entry
📍 Level 1 theatrette, Rainforest Discovery Centre

Medicinal Plants was curated and commissioned for Horizon Festival and presented in partnership with Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

Image: Lemon myrtle, by Jennifer Kent

🌱 What’s eating the cunjevoi? At this time of year, the large, heart-shaped leaves of the cunjevoi are a valuable food s...
07/04/2026

🌱 What’s eating the cunjevoi?

At this time of year, the large, heart-shaped leaves of the cunjevoi are a valuable food source for hawk moth caterpillars at Mary Cairncross.

These caterpillars can be hard to spot, often blending in with the leaves. One feature to look for is the small horn at the end of their body 🐛 .

Rather than searching for the caterpillars themselves, look for the signs they leave behind. Freshly chewed leaves and large, star-shaped droppings on the forest floor are clues they are nearby.

🔍️ As part of our Forest Sensing exhibition, take a moment to notice these small clues — they reveal the seasonal activity happening in the forest.

🌿 Wishing our community a safe and happy Easter long weekend. Please note the Rainforest Discovery Centre will be closed...
02/04/2026

🌿 Wishing our community a safe and happy Easter long weekend.

Please note the Rainforest Discovery Centre will be closed on:
• Friday 3 April (Good Friday)
• Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday)

Rainforest walking tracks remain open and are accessible via the after-hours gate between 7am and 6pm. The picnic area and playground will also be open during this time.

If you’re visiting, take a moment to slow down and notice nature — birds calling, trees fruiting, light filtering through the canopy. Please stay on designated tracks to help protect the rainforest and the habitat it provides 🌳.



Velvet Pods & Orange Seeds Native Wisteria (Austrocallerya megasperma) is currently fruiting at Mary Cairncross.Look for...
17/03/2026

Velvet Pods & Orange Seeds

Native Wisteria (Austrocallerya megasperma) is currently fruiting at Mary Cairncross.

Look for the ribbed seed pods scattered along the forest floor. When they split open, they reveal large orange seeds inside. Gently run your hand along the outside — the surface is coated in soft, velvety hairs. It is this texture that sets them apart from the smooth woody pods of the black bean.

On your next walk in the forest, notice the small details and the seasonal change story they are sharing.




Rainforest Discovery Centre Closed.Due to the predicted severe weather, the Rainforest Discovery Centre will be closed f...
08/03/2026

Rainforest Discovery Centre Closed.

Due to the predicted severe weather, the Rainforest Discovery Centre will be closed from Sunday morning, March 8.

We do not recommend accessing the walking trails during these conditions, as heavy rainfall may create hazardous situations.

Please stay safe and keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings throughout this period: disasterhub.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

On the Birdwing Vine 🦋 The birdwing vines above the viewing deck are supporting one of our region’s most special rainfor...
03/03/2026

On the Birdwing Vine 🦋

The birdwing vines above the viewing deck are supporting one of our region’s most special rainforest residents — the Richmond birdwing butterfly.

Look closely and you may spot caterpillars feeding on the Richmond birdwing vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa). This native vine is essential for the butterfly's survival, as it is the only plant their caterpillars can eat. Females carefully select fresh leaves on which to lay their eggs🌿.

Richmond birdwing butterflies are most active through the warmer months. At this time of year, you may find caterpillars feeding on the vine, while adults glide along the rainforest edge and visit flowering plants for nectar.

Slow down and notice nature. You might witness a small moment in the life cycle of one of Australia’s most iconic butterflies.

Photo: Female Richmond birdwing butterfly
Photo credit: Rod Edmonds

A feast is forming 🌳 Have you noticed the large pods hanging from the black bean trees(Castanospermum australe) at Mary ...
24/02/2026

A feast is forming 🌳

Have you noticed the large pods hanging from the black bean trees
(Castanospermum australe) at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve?

Right now, they are still green, but as the season progresses the pods will dry and split open, revealing big, round seeds. Falling to the forest floor, these seeds become part of the rainforest food web - providing food for pademelons, bush rats and other forest mammals.

Next time you visit the rainforest pause and listen. You may hear the quiet crunch of small mammals munching nearby.



Photo credit: Ben Lockens

From delicate petticoats to blue marbles - Blue quandongThe last of the delicate blue quandong (Elaeocarpus grandis) flo...
10/02/2026

From delicate petticoats to blue marbles - Blue quandong

The last of the delicate blue quandong (Elaeocarpus grandis) flowers are now
settling onto the forest floor at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. High in
the canopy the first fruits are beginning to form.

In the coming months, these small green fruits will ripen into vivid blue berries
— a vital food source for rainforest visitors like wompoo fruit-doves and
topknot pigeons.

Next time you’re on the tracks, look down for fallen flowers and up for the growing fruit 🫐.



Photo credit: Phil Bender

The rainforest is home to some pretty special creatures🩷!We like to keep an eye on them with your help - through citizen...
06/02/2026

The rainforest is home to some pretty special creatures🩷!

We like to keep an eye on them with your help - through citizen science events and activities. Our February Pademelon count sold out fast. Don't miss other opportunities in 2026:

Check out the What's On page (link in bio ☝️)
or follow our Eventbrite collection:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/mary-cairncross-scenic-reserve-3404869

Can't make it to an event?
Visitors are also encouraged to share their observations through iNaturalist🍃

Remember - stay on track, respect wildlife, walk softly

What would a flying fox, a shorebird, an endangered moth and a crayfish say if they had a meeting with humans?No, this i...
07/01/2026

What would a flying fox, a shorebird, an endangered moth and a crayfish say if they had a meeting with humans?

No, this isn't a 🤣 joke with a 👊 line - it's a question children will explore in a fun workshop happening at the Rainforest Discovery Centre these holidays.

On Tuesday 13th & 20th January, kids 10+yrs are invited to join author and educator Dr Sarah Pye on journey into the more-than-human world at 🦇 Parliament of Animals 🦋 .

Come along for 2 x mornings of creative environmental leadership, then enjoy a walk in the rainforest.
Registration is $5 per workshop. For more information and to secure your spot, go to :
https://mary-cairncross.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/see-and-do/what-s-on/parliament-of-animals

Happy new year!We look forward to sharing the new Forest Sensing exhibit with you throughout 2026. 👃 Smell the Bolwarra ...
06/01/2026

Happy new year!
We look forward to sharing the new Forest Sensing exhibit with you throughout 2026.

👃 Smell the Bolwarra (pictured) scent in our surprise aroma display
👂 Listen to Jinibara stories and beautiful bird calls
🖐️ Feel forest textures on the touch wall
👀 See butterfly scales and squirrel glider skulls under the microscope
😋 Taste yummy lemon myrtle jam n scones in the Mountain View Cafe
🪷 Slow down and borrow a mindfulness kit on your walk
📋 Share your observations on the seasonal calendar

The Rainforest Discovery Centre is open daily 9.30am - 3.30pm.
Entry by donation.

Image: Bolwarra (Eupomatia laurina) supplied by Herbie

Address

148 Mountain View Road
Maleny, QLD
4552

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 3:30am
Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30am
Wednesday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Sunday 9:30am - 3:30pm

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