Flaxton is a small village on the Blackall Range, between Montville and Mapleton in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and it is a good stop on a scenic drive for lunch and a bush walk. It is about 100 minutes by car from Brisbane and about 13 km from Nambour.
There is no big town centre here. The appeal is a handful of food venues on Flaxton Drive, a waterfall walk on the northern side and Kondalilla National Park on the doorstep.
Eating and drinking in Flaxton
The Barn on Flaxton
The Barn on Flaxton is at 445 Flaxton Drive and is open seven days a week, 8 am to 4 pm. It serves breakfast, lunch and dessert made with local produce, with vegan and vegetarian options and made-to-order coffee. It is licensed to serve alcohol. The shop also sells fresh produce, sourdough, milk, free-range eggs, Maleny gelato, local art and giftware. Its website links to an OpenTable page for reservations, and it does not say whether bookings are required, so book ahead for a weekend lunch.
Flaxton Gardens
Flaxton Gardens is a hinterland venue. Its website lists breakfast, lunch, a Queensland tapas high tea and a Flaxton Feast, and a lot of its calendar is functions such as weddings, so check what is open to the public before you drive up. The contact page lists Wednesday to Sunday, 8 am to 2 pm, closed on public holidays, and says to enquire by email or phone 07 5445 7450 instead of just turning up. Visit Sunshine Coast also lists a Bollinger high tea at the gardens overlooking the hills.
Baxter Falls
Baxter Falls is in the north of Flaxton. Visit Sunshine Coast describes a cascading waterfall in a rugged gorge, surrounded by eucalypt forest, with a natural swimming pool. You reach it from the Flaxton Mill Road car park by following a path that is part of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk. It is a natural swimming spot, so check the conditions on the day before you get in.
Kondalilla National Park and Mapleton Falls
Flaxton’s western side borders Kondalilla National Park, which has rainforest, hiking trails and cool waterholes for swimming. Visit Sunshine Coast names the Picnic Creek Circuit, a 1.7 km easy walk with valley views from a lookout. Our Kondalilla Falls guide covers the walks and parking in detail, and Mapleton Falls is nearby to the north.
A little history
Joseph Dixon, who first grew sugarcane at Buderim, selected land at Flaxton in 1882, and from 1892 the land was cleared for banana and citrus farming. The name comes from Flaxton Hall Farm in the fens of Eastern England. A fruit-packing shed opened in 1931, and a sawmill ran for more than 20 years before it burned down in 1956.
Flaxton Provisional School opened in February 1922 and closed in 1967. On 21 March 1970 the Flaxton Model Village opened, built and run by Malcolm and Mrs Bradley, with one-twelfth scale replicas of English buildings.
Planning your visit
- How long: half a day for lunch and a short walk, or a full day if you add Baxter Falls and Kondalilla.
- Cost: the village and the walks are free; food is priced by each venue.
- Best time: mornings for walks and weekdays for quieter lunches. Book weekend meals.
- What to bring: sturdy shoes for the falls, water, a hat and a jumper, because the Blackall Range is cooler than the coast.
- Dogs: not stated by the venues; ask before you bring one.
Getting to Flaxton and parking
Flaxton is about 111 km and about 100 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD without traffic. It is 13.4 km west-south-west of Nambour, 28.2 km west of Maroochydore and 38.2 km north-west of Caloundra. Its neighbouring localities are Mapleton, Dulong, Obi Obi, Hunchy and Montville.
Baxter Falls has its own car park off Flaxton Mill Road. Public transport is not covered by the sources used here, so use the Translink Journey Planner to check, and expect to need a car. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Montville – the next village south along the range.
- Mapleton Falls – a waterfall lookout near Mapleton.
- Kondalilla Falls – a waterfall and walks in the national park.
- Maleny – the larger hinterland town to the south-west.
- Baroon Pocket Dam – a dam on the hinterland side.
- Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve – a reserve near Maleny.
Browse more Sunshine Coast Hinterland days out and scenic drives.
Events in the area
- Sculpture on the Edge – see the post for the next dates.
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Quick answers
Where is Flaxton?
On the Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, between Montville and Mapleton and about 13 km from Nambour.
What is there to do in Flaxton?
Eat at The Barn on Flaxton or Flaxton Gardens, walk to Baxter Falls and explore Kondalilla National Park next door.
How far is Flaxton from Brisbane?
About 111 km, or about 100 minutes by car from the CBD without traffic.
When is The Barn on Flaxton open?
Seven days a week, 8 am to 4 pm. Its website links to an OpenTable page for reservations.
Can you swim at Baxter Falls?
Visit Sunshine Coast describes a natural swimming pool at the falls. It is a natural spot, so check the conditions on the day.
Is Flaxton Gardens open to the public?
Its website lists breakfast, lunch and a high tea, and its contact page lists Wednesday to Sunday, 8 am to 2 pm. It also runs private events, so confirm before you go.
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