🔍

Maleny

QLD 4552 • Rest of QLD

3,959
Population (2021)
$59,488
Median Household Income
24.30 km²
Area
$390/wk
Median Rent
Hinterland LivingArts & CultureCool ClimateAlternative Lifestyle

About Maleny

Maleny is a charming hinterland town perched at 450 metres elevation on the Blackall Range, 90 kilometres north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast Region. With a population of nearly 4,000, this former timber and dairy town has reinvented itself as a vibrant arts and food destination. The subtropical climate delivers around 2,000mm of annual rainfall, creating lush green landscapes, rolling hills, and spectacular views across to the Glass House Mountains.

The lifestyle in Maleny blends creative culture with rural tranquility. The main street buzzes with art galleries, organic cafes, craft shops, and the renowned Maleny Cheese factory. Nearby attractions include Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Baroon Pocket Dam, and the Maleny Botanic Gardens. The community attracts artists, sea-changers seeking cooler climates, and families who appreciate the alternative lifestyle vibe, excellent schools, and genuine small-town character. Weekend markets are a local institution.

Maleny falls under postcode 4552 and is governed by Sunshine Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Glass House electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4552
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Sunshine Coast
Federal Electorate
Fisher
State Electorate
Glass House
Type
Rural
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-26.76°, 152.85°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
24.30 km²
Elevation
437m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$390
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,625
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
59 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.2%

20 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Landsborough
15 km
N/A - drive required
Nambour
31 km
N/A - drive required

Bus Services

  • Sunbus Route 620 — Landsborough Station, Caloundra 30-40 min to Landsborough

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
92 km
By Train
2h+ (drive to Landsborough + train)
By Bus
Not practical - regional service
By Car (Peak)
1h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 15min

🛣️ Most residents work locally or drive to Sunshine Coast centres

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Village centre walkable but car essential for most needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    2 Bunya Street Maleny 4552 QLD

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, which contains Maleny. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
329.4 / 100k
2yr Down 17.9% 10yr Down 30.4%
Motor vehicle theft
167.5 / 100k
2yr Down 17.0% 10yr Up 28.8%
Non-FV assault
473.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 152.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
13.8 / 100k
2yr Down 20.0% 10yr Up 12.7%
Steal from vehicle
314.6 / 100k
2yr Down 18.3% 10yr Down 26.9%
View all offence categories for Sunshine Coast →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,734
Census 2021
3,959
▲ 6.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,196
Personal Income 2021
$32,136
▲ 18.2% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$32,136 / yr
$618/wk
Household
$59,488 / yr
$1144/wk
Family
$74,152 / yr
$1426/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,909
Born Overseas 867

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 295
  • 2. New Zealand 124
  • 3. Germany 45
  • 4. United States 41
  • 5. India 28
  • 6. Scotland 28
  • 7. Papua New Guinea 24
  • 8. Canada 22
  • 9. South Africa 20
  • 10. Netherlands 19

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,933
Australian 1,296
Irish 627
Scottish 593
German 316
Italian 91
Dutch 76
Australian Aboriginal 73
Welsh 58
French 51

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,260
Both parents born in Australia
979
Both parents born overseas
523
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.7%
Christianity
39.4%
Buddhism
1.8%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
108 (2.7%)
5-14 years
358 (9.0%)
15-19 years
180 (4.5%)
20-24 years
91 (2.3%)
25-34 years
219 (5.5%)
35-44 years
328 (8.3%)
45-54 years
466 (11.8%)
55-64 years
638 (16.1%)
65-74 years
835 (21.1%)
75-84 years
532 (13.4%)
85+ years
200 (5.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Maleny known for? +

Maleny is a charming hinterland town perched at 450 metres elevation on the Blackall Range, 90 kilometres north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast Region. With a population of nearly 4,000, this former timber and dairy town has reinvented itself as a vibrant arts and food destination.

How far is Maleny from Brisbane CBD? +

Maleny is approximately 92 km from Brisbane CBD. By car, the journey takes around 1h 15min off-peak and 1h 30min during peak hours.

Does Maleny have public transport? +

Maleny is served by Landsborough (15 km away) on the Sunshine Coast Line to Brisbane. Bus services also connect to Landsborough Station, Caloundra. The commute to Brisbane CBD takes approximately 1h 15min by car.

What is the population of Maleny? +

According to the 2021 Census, Maleny has a population of approximately 3,959 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Sunshine Coast (Regional Council).

Is Maleny a good place to live? +

Maleny offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to local amenities and services. It suits a range of residents from families to retirees, depending on personal preferences for pace of life and proximity to urban centres.

What is the postcode for Maleny? +

The postcode for Maleny, QLD is 4552.

What is the average income in Maleny? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Maleny is about $618 per week (around $32,100 per year). The median household income is $1,144 per week and the median family income is $1,426 per week.

What is the age profile of Maleny? +

The median age in Maleny is 59. The largest age group is 65–74 (835 residents, around 21%). Around 16% of residents are under 20 and about 40% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Maleny a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Maleny is part of the Sunshine Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Maleny? +

In Maleny, the median weekly rent is $390, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,625 (2021 Census).