BACK TO NATURE - Botanic best!

The Sunshine Coast’s Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World has been voted by travellers as the top attraction in Queensland and in the Top 20 Attractions in the South Pacific, being rated alongside some of the world’s most recognised attractions including Sydney Opera House, Milford Sound, the Australian War Memorial and Uluru.

The accolade was announced in Tripadvisor’s annual Travellers’ Choice and Best of the Best Awards.

Maleny Botanic Gardens was ranked 13^th in the  Trip Advisor Best of the Best Attractions 2025, the best performing attraction in Queensland.

General Manager of Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, Verena Olesch, said: “This recognition means a huge moment to us. It reflects not only the unforgettable experiences we offer, but also the heart, soul, and passion that every team member - whether they have feet, feathers, or fur - brings to our garden paradise every single day.

“Over the past few years we’ve reinvested every dollar from our profits into making our experience more inclusive, more immersive, and more magical. This honour shows that the hard work is resonating with visitors from Southeast Queensland and around the world.

“And we’re just getting started. With big (and truly magical!) plans on the horizon, we’re aligning closely with Queensland’s ‘Destination 2045’ vision, expanding our team, and proudly celebrating our newly earned Eco Tourism Certification through Eco Tourism Australia.

“As this is voted by actual travellers, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted for us. We also want to thank the Queensland government for supporting us through strategic guidance and funding opportunities, particularly in the areas of accessible and sustainable tourism.”

Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World is positioned high on the escarpment in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, with the seven hectares of gardens featuring a panorama of waterfalls, lakes, ponds and colourful plantings. 

The Glass House Mountains create a spectacular backdrop to the constantly evolving landscaped gardens, which recently added an informative bush tucker trail recognising the original Jinibara inhabitants of the land. 

The Gardens are open 9am to 4.30pm 7 days a week and only closed on Christmas Day. Aviary tours run several times daily, visit:malenybotanicgardens.com.au