What to Know About Maleny Accommodation in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Maleny sits on the Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, just inland from the main Sunshine Coast strip. It is surrounded by dairy farms, rainforest reserves and national parks, with the calm waters of Lake Baroon located between Maleny and Montville on Obi Obi Creek. From Maleny you can look out over the Glass House Mountains, follow country roads to farm gates and cellar doors, or drive a short distance to Baroon Pocket Dam and the walking tracks that wrap around Lake Baroon.
Because of this setting, “Maleny accommodation” covers a broad mix of stay types in and around the town and across the wider Sunshine Coast Hinterland:
- In-town motels and guesthouses, convenient if you want to be able to walk to Maleny’s cafés, pubs, shops and venues.
- Cottages, farm stays and houses on acreage, offering views over paddocks and hills, often with fireplaces, verandahs and self-catering kitchens.
- Boutique retreats and B&Bs on the Maleny–Montville ridge, trading on expansive hinterland and valley views.
- Lakeside and rainforest stays around Lake Baroon between Maleny and Montville, where you wake to birdsong, water views and forest instead of streets and shopfronts.
When you are planning a stay, it helps to think about why you are coming to Maleny:
- For weddings at hinterland venues, you might want accommodation that is close enough to Maleny’s ceremony or reception locations but quiet and comfortable for a late-night return.
- For romantic escapes, you may prefer more secluded, character-filled accommodation near Maleny that offers spa baths, fireplaces and views, with the flexibility to visit both Maleny and Montville during your stay.
- For food and wine trips, being within easy driving distance of Maleny, Lake Baroon and Montville gives you access to cheese factories, breweries, cafés, restaurants and markets across the ridge.
The good news is that the distances are small. Maleny and Montville are roughly 14–16 kilometres apart, with a typical driving time of about 15–20 minutes in normal traffic. Lake Baroon sits between them, so choosing accommodation on the lake gives you practical access to both towns while placing you in one of the prettiest pockets of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Why Secrets on the Lake Works Beautifully as Maleny Accommodation
Secrets on the Lake is often described as Montville accommodation, but its position on Lake Baroon between Maleny and Montville makes it just as relevant for people searching for Maleny accommodation in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The property occupies rainforest on the northern side of Lake Baroon, with individually designed treehouses and cabins positioned along the hillside, looking out over the water and forest.
From Maleny, it is an easy drive down through the hills to reach Secrets on the Lake; Booking.com notes that Maleny is about 20 minutes away by car. That means you can spend your days immersed in Maleny’s cafés, galleries, wedding venues and viewpoints, then retreat each afternoon to a lakefront treehouse or cabin where the soundtrack is birdlife and the views take in Lake Baroon and the surrounding Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Secrets on the Lake positions itself as a luxury rainforest retreat and romantic escape, with key features that align strongly with what many guests are seeking when they search for Maleny accommodation:
- Hand-carved treehouses and penthouses with spa baths, fireplaces, artistic interiors and balconies that overlook Lake Baroon or dense rainforest, creating an experience that feels crafted, not generic.
- A mix of secluded treehouses designed especially for couples and larger luxury or heritage cabins for families or small groups, allowing wedding guests, friends and relatives to stay on the same property while enjoying different styles of accommodation.
- Elevated boardwalks and landscaped paths that connect treehouses with gardens, lookouts and the lakeshore, reinforcing the feeling of being in a private hinterland enclave between Maleny and Montville.
- An onsite café and restaurant (often known as Secrets Café & Deck or Dining on the Deck) overlooking Lake Baroon, serving homemade food and drinks on a wide deck with sweeping water and rainforest views – ideal for lazy breakfasts, lunches or lingering coffees without having to leave the property.
For wedding parties and event guests, Secrets on the Lake can work as a dedicated Maleny accommodation base: couples stay in treetop retreats, while family members and friends book larger cabins, all within easy driving distance of Maleny venues and photo locations. For couples on a romantic Maleny escape, it offers the best of both worlds – you can explore Maleny’s galleries, cheese makers, breweries and viewpoints by day, and then return to a private spa bath and fireplace above Lake Baroon at night.
At heart, Secrets on the Lake is a luxury lakeside treehouse retreat on Lake Baroon in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, near both Montville and Maleny. If you are happy to be a short, scenic drive from Maleny township rather than staying right on the main street, it becomes a standout answer to the question of where to stay when you are searching for Maleny accommodation.
Practical Details – Location, FAQs & How to Enquire
Secrets on the Lake is located at 207 Narrows Road on the northern side of Lake Baroon, in rainforest between Maleny and Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Lake Baroon itself is a picturesque dam on Obi Obi Creek, specifically described as being between Maleny and Montville, with recreation areas and walking tracks around the shore. From the property, you can drive up to Montville in a matter of minutes, and reach Maleny in around 20 minutes along the ridge and around the lake.
Because of this central location, Secrets on the Lake works well as a base for exploring both Maleny and Montville while still feeling tucked away. You can head out to Maleny’s main street, local markets, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve and hinterland lookouts, then loop back past Lake Baroon to your treehouse or cabin. The Sunshine Coast beaches are typically around 30–40 minutes’ drive away, so a day by the ocean is still very feasible as part of a longer Sunshine Coast Hinterland stay.
Phone: +61 (0)7 5478 5888
Email: info@secretsonthelake.com.au
Google Business Profile : Secrets On The Lake
Booking : Secrets On The Lake Booking.com
Tripadvisor : Secrets On The Lake TripAdvisor
Expedia : Secrets On The Lake Expedia
Maleny Accommodation FAQ
How far is Secrets on the Lake from Maleny township?
Secrets on the Lake is on Lake Baroon between Maleny and Montville; Booking.com notes that Maleny is about 20 minutes’ drive away in normal conditions. This makes it close enough to attend weddings, visit Maleny’s shops and cafés, or explore local attractions, while still feeling like a private lakeside retreat in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Why would I choose Secrets on the Lake if I’m specifically searching for Maleny accommodation?
Many people searching for Maleny accommodation want the Maleny and Sunshine Coast Hinterland experience rather than a strict street address. Staying at Secrets on the Lake puts you on Lake Baroon between Maleny and Montville, giving you easy access to both villages. You can spend your days in Maleny and then retreat each evening to a luxury treehouse or cabin with spa bath, fireplace and lake views instead of a standard room in town.
Is Secrets on the Lake suitable for guests attending a Maleny wedding?
Yes. Secrets on the Lake is popular with wedding couples and guests because it offers a range of accommodation types within a single, atmospheric property on Lake Baroon. Treehouses and cabins provide privacy and comfort, and the drive to Maleny wedding venues is short and scenic, so you can enjoy the full Maleny wedding experience while staying in a luxury lakeside retreat in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Are there dining options nearby if we stay at Secrets on the Lake for a Maleny trip?
Onsite, you have Secrets Café & Deck overlooking Lake Baroon, serving homemade food and drinks on a broad deck with rainforest and water views. Offsite, Maleny and Montville both offer a strong range of cafés, restaurants, pubs and artisan food experiences. With a car, you can easily explore Maleny’s dining scene and return to your treehouse or cabin beside the lake afterwards.
Is Secrets on the Lake more for couples, or can families and groups staying for Maleny events be accommodated?
The property is renowned for its romantic treehouses designed especially for couples, but there are also luxury and heritage cabins with more space and multiple beds for families or small groups. This flexibility means one group attending a Maleny wedding, reunion or celebration can book a mix of retreats, all centred around Lake Baroon in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Do we need a car to stay at Secrets on the Lake if we’re planning to visit Maleny?
A car is strongly recommended. While the distance between Maleny and Secrets on the Lake is short, public transport options across the hinterland are limited. Driving makes it easy to move between Maleny, Lake Baroon, Montville and other Sunshine Coast Hinterland attractions on your own schedule, and also opens up day trips to the Sunshine Coast beaches.
What type of traveller is best suited to using Secrets on the Lake as Maleny accommodation?
Secrets on the Lake works particularly well for couples seeking a romantic or special-occasion Maleny escape, wedding couples and guests, and small groups who want character-filled accommodation rather than a standard motel. If you like the idea of spending time in Maleny’s village and then retreating to a luxury treehouse or cabin overlooking Lake Baroon in the evenings, it is likely to be a strong fit.
How far in advance should I book if I want to use Secrets on the Lake for a Maleny trip?
Because Secrets on the Lake is sought-after for weddings, honeymoons and romantic getaways throughout the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, peak dates and weekends can book out well ahead. If you are travelling for a Maleny wedding or planning a special celebration, it is wise to check availability as soon as you have your dates so you can secure the treehouse or cabin configuration you want on Lake Baroon.
For wedding parties and event guests, Secrets on the Lake can work as a dedicated Maleny accommodation base: couples stay in treetop retreats, while family members and friends book larger cabins, all within easy driving distance of Maleny venues and photo locations. For couples on a romantic Maleny escape, it offers the best of both worlds – you can explore Maleny’s galleries, cheese makers, breweries and viewpoints by day, and then return to a private spa bath and fireplace above Lake Baroon at night.
At heart, Secrets on the Lake is a luxury lakeside treehouse retreat on Lake Baroon in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, near both Montville and Maleny. If you are happy to be a short, scenic drive from Maleny township rather than staying right on the main street, it becomes a standout answer to the question of where to stay when you are searching for Maleny accommodation.