# Blackall Range road network

Blackall Range road network is a group of roads that provide access to the mountain localities and towns from various lowland places, and enable travel between the mountain communities. The network ensures continuity of access in times of flooding or other natural disasters, and during planned maintenance activities. The area serviced by the network includes the localities and towns, from south to north, of Maleny, Montville and Mapleton. It also includes the rural localities of Bald Knob, Balmoral Ridge, Flaxton, Gheerulla, North Maleny, Obi Obi and Witta. The area hosts a substantial residential community plus many tourism accommodation venues. At the 2021 census, the locality of Maleny had a population of 3,959 people.
Located to the west of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, the Blackall Range is also a popular day-trip destination.

## Roads in the network

The network consists of the following state-controlled roads:
* Landsborough–Maleny Road
* Maleny–Kenilworth Road
* Maleny–Montville Road
* Maleny–Stanley River Road
* Montville–Mapleton Road
* Nambour–Mapleton Road
* Obi Obi Road
* Woombye–Montville Road
* Palmwoods–Mooloolah Road
A number of local roads that also access the range are not included in this article.

## Landsborough–Maleny Road

Landsborough–Maleny Road is a state-controlled district road (number 494). It carries traffic from Landsborough on the Glass House Mountains Road, via Bald Knob, to Maleny, a distance of 15.2 kilometres (9.4 mi). Almost all of this road is part of Tourist Drive 23.
The road runs generally north-west from Landsborough, ascending the south-eastern slope of the Blackall Range. It climbs from a lowest point of 37 metres (121 ft) to a highest point of 446 metres (1,463 ft). About 2.8 kilometres (1.7 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 860 metres (2,820 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 330 metres (1,080 ft) is greater than 15%.

### Major intersections (Landsborough-Maleny Road)

All distances are from Google Maps. The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
| Location | km | mi | Destinations | Notes |
| Landsborough | 0 | 0.0 | Glass House Mountains Road – north – Glenview – south – Beerwah | South-eastern end of Landsborough–Maleny Road (Tourist Drive 23). The road starts as Railway Street, and becomes Maleny Street as it crosses the railway line. |
| Landsborough | 1.1 | 0.68 | Old Gympie Road – north (as Gympie Street North) - Mooloolah Valley - south (as Gympie Street South) – Beerwah | Road continues north-west as Maleny Street. |
| Landsborough | 1.4 | 0.87 | Maleny Street – north – Landsborough | Road continues north-west as Landsborough–Maleny Road. |
| Landsborough / Mount Mellum midpoint | 4.2 | 2.6 | Mount Mellum Road – south – Mount Mellum | Road continues west. |
| Bald Knob | 5.7 | 3.5 | Bald Knob Road – south-west – Peachester | Road continues north-west. |
| Bald Knob / Maleny / midpoint | 9.5 | 5.9 | Mountain View Road – south-west – Maleny | Road continues north-west with no route number. |
| Balmoral Ridge / Maleny midpoint | 10.8 | 6.7 | Maleny–Montville Road – north – Montville | Road continues west as Landsborough–Maleny Road (Tourist Drive 23). |
| Maleny | 14.4 | 8.9 | Bunya Street – south – Maleny | Road continues north-west as Bunya Street. |
| Maleny | 14.8 | 9.2 | Coral Street – south-west – Maleny | Road continues north-west as Maple Street. |
| Maleny | 15.2 | 9.4 | Maleny–Stanley River Road (Myrtle Street) – south-west – Peachester | North-western end of Landsborough–Maleny Road (Tourist Drive 23) Road continues north-west as Maleny–Kenilworth Road (Beech Street) (Tourist Drive 22) |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi Route transition |||||

## Maleny–Kenilworth Road

Maleny–Kenilworth Road is a state-controlled district road (number 495). It runs from Maleny, via Witta, Elaman Creek, Conondale and Cambroon, to Kenilworth, a distance of 40.7 kilometres (25.3 mi). This road is part of Tourist Drive 22.
The road descends the south-western slope of the Blackall Range and then follows the Mary River valley north to Kenilworth. It descends from a highest point of 480 metres (1,570 ft) to a lowest point of 99 metres (325 ft). About 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 620 metres (2,030 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 220 metres (720 ft) is greater than 15%.
A project to widen sections of the road in Conondale and Cambroon, at a cost of $4.9 million, was expected to complete late in 2022.

### Major intersections (Maleny–Kenilworth Road)

All distances are from Google Maps. The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
| Location | km | mi | Destinations | Notes |
| Maleny | 0 | 0.0 | Maleny–Stanley River Road – south – Wootha Landsborough–Maleny Road – east – Landsborough | South-eastern end of Maleny–Kenilworth Road (Tourist Drive 22). The road starts as Beech Street, then Cedar Street, and then becomes Macadamia Drive. |
| Maleny / Reesville midpoint | 2.6 | 1.6 | Reesville Road – south-west – Reesville | Road continues west, then north as Maleny–Kenilworth Road. |
| Kenilworth | 40.7 | 25.3 | Eumundi–Kenilworth Road – north-east – Eumundi | North-western end of Maleny–Kenilworth Road. Road continues north-west as Kenilworth–Brooloo Road (State Route 51). |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi Route transition |||||

## Maleny–Montville Road

Maleny–Montville Road is a state-controlled district road (number 497), rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS) It runs from Maleny, via Balmoral Ridge, to Montville, a distance of 9.9 kilometres (6.2 mi). Within the locality of Montville this road is known as Balmoral Road. It is part of Tourist Drive 23. There are no major intersections on this road.
The road runs from south to north along the eastern edge of the Blackall Range. Its elevation varies from a highest point of 444 metres (1,457 ft) to a lowest point of 285 metres (935 ft). About 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 800 metres (2,600 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 970 metres (3,180 ft) is greater than 15%.

## Maleny–Stanley River Road

Maleny–Stanley River Road is a state-controlled district road (number 493) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS). It runs from the Maleny–Kenilworth Road in Maleny, via Wootha and Booroobin, to the Kilcoy–Beerwah Road in Peachester, a distance of 20.3 kilometres (12.6 mi). The first section of this road, within the locality of Maleny, is part of Tourist Drive 23.
The roads runs down a ridge to the south-west of Maleny, crosses the headwaters of the Stanley River, then turns south-east and ascends a ridge of the Conondale Range to Peachester. Its elevation varies from a highest point of 564 metres (1,850 ft) to a lowest point of 290 metres (950 ft). About 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) is between 10% and 15%, and 390 metres (1,280 ft) is greater than 15%.

### Major intersections (Maleny–Stanley River Road)

All distances are from Google Maps. The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
| Location | km | mi | Destinations | Notes |
| Maleny | 0 | 0.0 | Landsborough–Maleny Road – east – Landsborough Maleny–Kenilworth Road – north-west – Kenilworth | North-eastern end of Maleny–Stanley River Road (Tourist Drive 23). The road starts as Myrtle Street, then Coral Street, and then becomes Maleny–Stanley River Road. |
| Maleny / Wootha midpoint | 2.9 | 1.8 | Mountain View Road – south-east – Maleny, Bald Knob | Road continues south-west, with no route number. |
| Wootha | 7.2 | 4.5 | Burnett Lane (to Reesville Road) – north-west – Reesville | Road continues south-west. |
| Cedarton / Peachester midpoint | 20.3 | 12.6 | Kilcoy–Beerwah Road – north-east – Beerwah – south-west – Woodford | South-western end of Maleny–Stanley River Road. |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi Route transition |||||

## Montville–Mapleton Road

Montville–Mapleton Road is a state-controlled district road (number 499) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS). It runs from Maleny–Montville Road in Montville, via Flaxton, to Nambour–Mapleton Road in Mapleton, a distance of 9.5 kilometres (5.9 mi). This road is also known as Flaxton Drive. It is part of Tourist Drive 23.
The road runs from south to north along the eastern edge of the Blackall Range. Its elevation varies from a highest point of 419 metres (1,375 ft) to a lowest point of 299 metres (981 ft). About 3.9 kilometres (2.4 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 970 metres (3,180 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi) is greater than 15%.

### Major intersections (Montville–Mapleton Road)

All distances are from Google Maps. The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
| Location | km | mi | Destinations | Notes |
| Montville | 0 | 0.0 | Maleny–Montville Road – south – Maleny Woombye–Montville Road – south-east – Palmwoods, Woombye | Southern end of Montville–Mapleton Road (Tourist Drive 23). The road starts as Main Street. |
| Montville | 0.7 | 0.43 | Razorback Road – north-east – Hunchy | Road continues north-west as Main Street, changing to Flaxton Drive when it leaves Montville. |
| Flaxton | 6.0 | 3.7 | Philipps Road – north-east – Dulong | Road continues north-west. |
| Mapleton | 9.5 | 5.9 | Nambour–Mapleton Road – north, then east – Nambour Obi Obi Road – south-west – Obi Obi | North-western end of Montville–Mapleton Road (Tourist Drive 23). |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi Route transition |||||

## Nambour–Mapleton Road

Nambour–Mapleton Road is a state-controlled district road (number 496) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS). It runs from Nambour Connection Road to Montville–Mapleton Road in Mapleton, a distance of 12.2 kilometres (7.6 mi).
The road runs generally west from Nambour, ascending the north-eastern slope of the Blackall Range. It climbs from a lowest point of 21 metres (69 ft) to a highest point of 370 metres (1,210 ft). About 2.2 kilometres (1.4 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 900 metres (3,000 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 490 metres (1,610 ft) is greater than 15%.

### Major intersections (Nambour–Mapleton Road)

All distances are from Google Maps. The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
| Location | km | mi | Destinations | Notes |
| Nambour | 0 | 0.0 | Nambour Connection Road – south-west – Woombye – north-east – Yandina | Eastern end of Nambour–Mapleton Road (Tourist Drive 23). The road starts as National Park Road, becomes Netherton Street, then Blackall Terrace, and then Nambour–Mapleton Road. |
| Nambour | 2.4 | 1.5 | Image Flat Road – north-east – Image Flat | Road continues south-west. |
| Kureelpa | 7.0 | 4.3 | Dulong Road – south-east – Dulong | Road continues north-west. |
| Mapleton | 12.2 | 7.6 | Montville–Mapleton Road – south – Montville Obi Obi Road – south-west – Obi Obi | Western end of Nambour–Mapleton Road (Tourist Drive 23). |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi Route transition |||||

## Obi Obi Road

Obi Obi Road is a state-controlled district road (number 4962) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS). It runs from Montville–Mapleton Road in Mapleton, via Obi Obi and Kidaman Creek, to Eumundi–Kenilworth Road in Kenilworth, a distance of 19.5 kilometres (12.1 mi). There are no major intersections on this road.
The road descends the north-western slope of the Blackall Range and then follows the valley of Obi Obi Creek north-west to Kenilworth. It descends from a highest point of 424 metres (1,391 ft) to a lowest point of 95 metres (312 ft). About 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 570 metres (1,870 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 830 metres (2,720 ft) is greater than 15%.
Part of this road is split between uphill and downhill sections. The downhill section is mostly unsealed.

## Woombye–Montville Road

Woombye–Montville Road is a state-controlled district road (number 498) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS). It runs from the Nambour Connection Road in Woombye, via Palmwoods, to Maleny–Montville Road in Montville, a distance of 13.1 kilometres (8.1 mi). This road is also known as Woombye–Palmwoods Road and Palmwoods–Montville Road.
The road runs generally south-west from Woombye, passing through Palmwwoods, where Palmwoods–Mooloolah Road exits to the south as Chevallum Road, and following the valley of Paynter Creek to the foot of the eastern escarpment of the Blackall Range, which it ascends by a circuitous route. It climbs from a lowest point of 21 metres (69 ft) to a highest point of 380 metres (1,250 ft). About 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) is steeper than 5%, of which 590 metres (1,940 ft) is between 10% and 15%, and 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) is greater than 15%.

### Major intersections (Woombye–Montville Road)

All distances are from Google Maps. The entire road is within the Sunshine Coast local government area.
| Location | km | mi | Destinations | Notes |
| Woombye | 0 | 0.0 | Nambour Connection Road – south-east – Forest Glen – north-west – Nambour | Eastern end of Woombye–Montville Road. The road starts as Woombye–Palmwoods Road. |
| Palmwoods | 3.2 | 2.0 | Palmwoods–Mooloolah Road (Chevallum Road) – south – Chevallum, Mooloolah Valley | Road passes under the railway line and turns south-west as Palmwoods-Montville Road. |
| Palmwoods | 5.6 | 3.5 | Hunchy Road – north, then west – Hunchy | Road continues south-west. |
| Montville | 13.1 | 8.1 | Montville–Mapleton Road – north – Mapleton Maleny–Montville Road – south – Maleny | Western end of Woombye–Montville Road. |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi Route transition |||||

## Palmwoods–Mooloolah Road

Palmwoods–Mooloolah Road is a state-controlled district road (number 4981) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS). It runs from Woombye–Montville Road in Palmwoods to Mooloolah Connection Road in Mooloolah Valley, a distance of 10.5 kilometres (6.5 mi). This road is also known as Chevallum Road and Eudlo Road.

## Tourist Drive 23

Tourist Drive 23 follows Landsborough–Maleny Road until it reaches an intersection with Mountain View Road as it enters Maleny. Here it turns south-west and continues in a generally west direction until it reaches an intersection with Maleny–Stanley River Road, where it turns north. It continues north until it reaches an intersection with Landsborough–Maleny Road (to the east) and Maleny–Kenilworth Road (to the north-west). Here it turns east and continues through the Maleny CBD and on until it reaches an intersection with Maleny–Montville Road.
Turning north it follows Maleny–Montville Road, Montville–Mapleton Road, and Nambour–Mapleton Road to its end in Nambour. Tourist Drive 23 continues across the Nambour Connection Road onto Nambour–Bli Bli Road, which it follows to the Bruce Highway.

## History

A track linking Landsborough to Maleny was cut in 1880.
By 1922, "good" roads existed from Landsborough to Maleny and from Nambour to Mapleton and on to Montville. Plans were in hand to link Maleny to Montville and to build a new "first-class" road from Palmwoods to Montville.