Howells Knob Lookout

When exploring around Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the small detour to Howells Knob Lookout at Reesville delivers the most amazing 360-degree views across the region, especially on a clear day and despite being only 533 metres above sea level.

Definitely worth the time, the drive off the main road is only 370 metres, it’s fully sealed, albeit narrow, and its sign-posted.

As you reach the turning circle at the top, your eye is immediately taken to the magnificent views up to the north, across the lush, rolling hills of Witta, the treetops around Baroon Pocket Dam and Maleny National Park, and out towards Kenilworth and Mapleton. 

But, it’s in the other direction that the vista will take your breath away. 

As you turn to face the road you came up, the majestic Glass House Mountains to the south are proudly on display in all their glory.

Whilst the small picnic shelter to the centre of the turning circle only has a single table, it’s undeniably a great location to lay down a blanket on the grass and ponder the clouds, sit on your car bonnet taking photos, or to just chill out of the sun with a picnic in the car – so make sure to grab some gourmet delights from the many local providores in Maleny, Montville, Mapleton or Kenilworth, depending on where you've travelled from.

Need to know – There are no public toilet facilities or drinking water bubblers at this Sunshine Coast hinterland look-out, but Maleny is less than 10 minutes' drive away, with loads of cafes plus you'll find public accessible toilets available near the Maleny Library (located near the roundabout of Maple Street, Coral Street and Bunya Street).

By Danella Perrins