Glass House Mountains hinterland drive
The Sunshine Coast Adventure Drive runs about 70 km from the Glass House Mountains through Australia Zoo to Caloundra Airport. Maleny is a separate hinterland climb from Landsborough, so pick stops for the time you have rather than treating everything as one short loop.
Updated
Key facts
- Glass House Mountains location
- Sunshine Coast hinterland
- Caboolture approach
- About 20 minutes to the Glass House Mountains township
- Caloundra approach
- About 30 minutes to the Glass House Mountains township
- Adventure drive length
- About 70 km from the Glass House Mountains to Caloundra Airport
- Australia Zoo stop
- On the drive between the mountains and Caloundra
- Brisbane to Australia Zoo
- About 60 minutes via the Bruce Highway
- Mount Tibrogargan circuit
- 4.1 km return, grade 3, allow 1 hour 30 minutes
Glass House Mountains to Caloundra
about 70 km
Glass House Mountains
The drive starts here, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Australia Zoo
The zoo comes after the mountains on the drive.
Caloundra Airport
The drive finishes here.
- Caloundra
What does the 70 km drive actually cover?
The Sunshine Coast Adventure Drive is about 70 km in total. It starts among the Glass House Mountains, passes Australia Zoo and finishes at Caloundra Airport. That distance is the route itself, not an all-stops time estimate. If the zoo is the centrepiece of your day, choose one mountain lookout or short walk before driving on.
How do you drive from Brisbane to Australia Zoo?
From Brisbane, take the Bruce Highway north to the Steve Irwin Way and Glasshouse Mountains (Tourist Route 24) exit, then stay on Steve Irwin Way through Beerburrum and Beerwah to the zoo entrance. Allow about 60 minutes from Brisbane before traffic and stops. The 70 km adventure drive begins at the Glass House Mountains, so it does not include this approach from Brisbane.
How should you choose a mountain walk?
At Mount Tibrogargan, the 4.1 km return circuit is graded 3 and takes about an hour and a half. The Mountain View lookout is 1 km along it and takes about 20 minutes to reach. Picnic tables and toilets sit beside the trailhead car park, so it is an easy place to decide: take the shorter lookout option when another attraction is booked for the same day.
How do you reach Maleny from the Glass House Mountains area?
Maleny is not on the 70 km adventure drive. From the Bruce Highway, follow Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Drive 24, turn left at Landsborough onto Tourist Drive 23 and climb the Landsborough-Maleny Road to Maleny. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is at 148 Mountain View Road, reached by turning left onto Mountain View Road at Cairncross Corner. Treat Maleny as its own leg of the day rather than adding it to the 70 km figure.
Which hire-car pickup makes sense?
Brisbane Airport suits a northbound start after a flight, while a Sunshine Coast pickup can shorten the local circuit. Check attraction opening times and road conditions before you set out, and make sure your rental agreement allows any unsealed road you plan to use. The 70 km drive length alone does not include the approach from Brisbane or the drive back.
Compare cars at Brisbane Airport
Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Check the pickup point and what the agreement allows on the roads in this guide before you book.
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Questions people ask
How long is the Glass House Mountains tourist drive?
The Sunshine Coast Adventure Drive through Australia Zoo to Caloundra Airport is about 70 km.
How far are the Glass House Mountains from Caloundra?
The mountain township is about 30 minutes from Caloundra.
Can I visit Australia Zoo on the same drive?
Yes. The zoo is on the adventure drive between the mountains and Caloundra.
Is Maleny part of the 70 km Glass House Mountains drive?
No. The adventure drive heads through Australia Zoo to Caloundra. Maleny is reached by turning onto Tourist Drive 23 at Landsborough, so plan it as a separate leg.
How long is the Brisbane to Australia Zoo drive?
About 60 minutes via the Bruce Highway and Steve Irwin Way; allow extra for traffic and any Glass House Mountains stop.