Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Come and explore the rainforest
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08/09/2026

Young artists, this one's for you!

Enter the Wild HeART Student Art Prize and transform your love of nature into art. Create an original 2D artwork inspired by a native Australian plant, animal or fungus for the chance to exhibit at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden.

🦋 Ages 5 - 18yrs
🐨 Free to enter
🌱 Must live on the Sunshine Coast or neighbouring LGA
🍄‍🟫 Entries close 5 October
☝️ Details and submission link: https://botanic-garden.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/see-and-do/whats-on/wild-heart-student-art-prize

Get inspired by our beautiful biodiversity and let your creativity bloom! 🌸

Featured: 2025 Wild HeART finalists - aren't they incredible?

Check out this shot! Local photographer Grahame Rosen has captured the male Regent bowerbird magnificently. Along with ...
23/08/2026

Check out this shot!
Local photographer Grahame Rosen has captured the male Regent bowerbird magnificently.

Along with 8 other artists from the In Focus Photography group, this beauty will be showcased in an upcoming exhibition.

'Nature in Focus'
🗓 19 September - 5 October
🕤10am - 3pm, daily
📍Rainforest Discovery Centre

Visitors will marvel at this new collection of images, celebrating biodiversity and the Sunshine Coast region's extraordinary natural heritage.

More detail: https://mary-cairncross.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/see-and-do/what-s-on

It's alive! We all know the forest floor is littered with leaves that get munched on, and decompose back into the nutri...
21/08/2026

It's alive!
We all know the forest floor is littered with leaves that get munched on, and decompose back into the nutrient cycle. But have you wondered what's really living in the leaf litter?

On Friday 4 September, researcher Sam Kelly will be sharing insights into her fascinating project looking at the mycological make-up of this often overlooked layer in the rainforest ecosystem. Using fungi DNA sequencing combined with soil data, vegetation mapping and our broader fungi research project - Sam's work is just starting to scratch the surface. Preliminary results have even pointed to the presence of dark taxa - species unknown to science🤯.

🗓Friday 4 September
🕤3.30 - 5pm
📍Rainforest Discovery Centre
🎫$5.50/person registration required: https://mary-cairncross.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/see-and-do/what-s-on

Come along and learn with us!

Don't call me a possum - I'm a Fawn-footed melomys!You won't see me when you're walking the tracks because I'm a nocturn...
30/07/2026

Don't call me a possum - I'm a Fawn-footed melomys!
You won't see me when you're walking the tracks because I'm a nocturnally active, tree-dwelling creature. I'm being monitored in the longitudinal fauna studies at Mary Cairncross 📸

Next Friday 7th August, ecologist Dr Scott Burnett will be discussing all the target species from the latest fauna surveys and unpacking research methods - including acoustic and ultrasonic recording, camera-trapping, spotlighting, mark-recapture and new techniques being trialled for small mammals and skinks. He will share a profile of the fauna community of the Reserve and initial comparisons in the data.

🕟️ 3.30 - 5pm
Level 1, Rainforest Discovery Centre
🎟️ $5.50 per ticket
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1993890352719?aff=oddtdtcreator

Update: Monday, 20 July 11:00am.The rainforest walking tracks are currently open.We are continuing to monitor wind condi...
19/07/2026

Update: Monday, 20 July 11:00am.

The rainforest walking tracks are currently open.

We are continuing to monitor wind conditions closely, and if the wind picks up again and creates a safety risk, temporary track closures may be necessary.

The Rainforest Discovery Centre remains open 9.30am-3.30pm and is full of lots of things to do.

The Sense of Place III Exhibition remains open 10am - 3pm.

The picnic grounds and cafe also remain open.

Thank you for your understanding. Keep an eye on our social media pages for updates. 💨

New exhibition: Sense of Place III opens this weekend!Local artists from Arts Connect Inc. have been busily preparing a ...
13/07/2026

New exhibition: Sense of Place III opens this weekend!

Local artists from Arts Connect Inc. have been busily preparing a new body of work inspired by and telling the stories of the reserve. Coinciding with Sunshine Coast Open Studios, the exhibition will be presented in our Rainforest Discovery Centre.

🗓️ 18 July - 2 August
🕙 10am - 3pm daily, free entry

Come and explore intimate habitats and expansive landscapes, as expressed through diverse mediums and techniques, like cyanotype, gel-prints, silversmithing, oil and acrylic paint, paper mache and textile soft sculpture.

Learn more: https://mary-cairncross.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/see-and-do/what-s-on/sense-of-place-iii

Image: Jacky Lowry (2026) Giant maidenhair fern.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Jinibara elder, Uncle Noel.Uncle's life was long an...
07/07/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Jinibara elder, Uncle Noel.

Uncle's life was long and impactful - as documented in his autobiography 'Man on a MIssion': https://rationshed.com.au/products/true-story-memoir.

Over many years, he generously shared cultural perspectives, stories, knowledge, art and language with the team and community at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. Uncle touched many lives through his willingness to spend time and connect, always with respect, humility, humour and truth.

Our condolences to his family, the Jinibara community and wider circle of people who will be reflecting on Uncle Noel's life and mourning his loss.

Images: Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve BioBlitz 2019 - including the moment Uncle Noel bravely scaled a giant strangler fig, taken by Adam Sebastian West.

22/06/2026

How will your family be spending the winter school break?

Our Bushland Holiday Program has just launched and is filling up fast.
Join activities celebrating children's connection to nature through craft, hands-on science and botanical illustration.

🎨 Have a go a nature sketching with artists at the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary
💦 Be a little scientist looking for water bugs with ECOllaboration at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden
🍃 Find treasures and learn about herbs with Natureweavers at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden
👀 Explore the Forest Sensing exhibit at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

Sessions are for ages 5+yrs, $10 per child. Register via Eventbrite 🎟️
Check out the program: https://botanic-garden.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/see-and-do/whats-on/bushland-holiday-program

Bring Back the Mullet drew a packed house on Saturday 30th May, hosted by the Friends of Mary Cairncross Association.No,...
02/06/2026

Bring Back the Mullet drew a packed house on Saturday 30th May, hosted by the Friends of Mary Cairncross Association.
No, it wasn't a haircut convention 😆 - it was an excellent presentation on the Land mullet (Bellatorias major) - a charismatic reptile, previously recorded but no longer present in the reserve.

Tony Bright (herpetologist) and Vanessa Moscato (botanist/ecologist), shared findings from a recent study looking into habitat requirements and population trends on the Sunshine Coast. They discussed species recovery plans, including the importance of vegetation corridors and answered questions from a very engaged local audience - some of whom had anecdotal data from their own properties 🦎!

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Tony and Vanessa, and for the Friends of Mary Cairncross Association for supporting this important project. Work will continue in partnership to hopefully 'bring back the mullet'.

Images:
1. Bellatorias majors enjoying the sun, courtesy of Tony Bright
2. Tony Bright presenting
3. Vanessa Moscato, John Robertson (President of the the FoMCA) and Tony Bright

🌌 Learning on Country: Sky, Culture, ConnectionStep onto Country for a powerful afternoon and evening of cultural learni...
29/05/2026

🌌 Learning on Country: Sky, Culture, Connection
Step onto Country for a powerful afternoon and evening of cultural learning, connection and reflection.

Co-designed with Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and First Nations Elders and community, this immersive professional learning experience invites educators to deepen their understanding of the relationship between sky, land and culture 🌿🌙

✨ What to expect:
• Keynote by Bruce Pascoe
• Interactive workshops with cultural educators
• Learning on Country tour with Traditional Custodians
• Dinner under the stars with First Nations food vendors

📍 UniSC, Sippy Downs
📅 Wednesday 10 June
⏰ 12:00pm – 8:15pm

🎟 Tickets are limited – secure your spot:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/learning-on-country-sky-culture-connection-tickets-1988383005094

A meaningful opportunity to engage with First Nations perspectives, truth-telling and cultural protocols—while gaining practical insights to enrich your teaching practice.

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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