Maleny Botanic Gardens voted Queensland’s top tourism attraction and in Top 20 Attractions in the South Pacific

The Sunshine Coast’s Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World has been voted by tourists as the top attraction in Queensland and in the Top 20 Attractions in the South Pacific with the accolade announced in Tripadvisor’s annual Travellers’ Choice and Best of the Best Awards last week.

Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World is positioned high on the escarpment in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, with the seven hectares of gardens featuring a panorama of waterfalls, lakes, ponds and colourful plantings.

The vote sees the attraction being rated alongside some of the world’s most recognised attractions including Sydney Opera House, Milford Sound, the Australian War Memorial and Uluru.

Maleny Botanic Gardens was ranked 13th in the Trip Advisor Best of the Best Attractions 2025, the best performing attraction in Queensland.

General Manager of Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, Verena Olesch (pictured above with Queensland Minister for Tourism, Andrew Powell) enthused “this recognition means a huge moment to us. It reflects not only the unforgettable experiences we offer, but also the heart, soul, and passion that every team member - whether they have feet, feathers, or fur - brings to our garden paradise every single day.

“Over the past few years we’ve reinvested every dollar from our profits into making our experience more inclusive, more immersive, and more magical. This honour shows that the hard work is resonating with visitors from Southeast Queensland and around the world.

“And we’re just getting started. With big (and truly magical!) plans on the horizon, we’re aligning closely with Queensland’s ‘Destination 2045’ vision, expanding our team, and proudly celebrating our newly earned Eco Tourism Certification through Eco Tourism Australia.

“As this is voted by actual travellers, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted for us. We also want to thank the Queensland government for supporting us through strategic guidance and funding opportunities, particularly in the areas of accessible and sustainable tourism.”

Queensland Minister for Tourism, Andrew Powell, visited Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World on 25th July to congratulate the venue on its success. He said:

Minister Powell shared “Congratulations to the entire team - this recognition is a testament to the unforgettable experiences, breathtaking beauty, and fantastic feathered friends that make this place truly spectacular.”

The Glass House Mountains create a spectacular backdrop to the constantly evolving landscaped gardens, which recently added an informative bush tucker trail recognising the original Jinibara inhabitants of the land. From one aviary in 2013, Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World has expanded to five aviaries today, with the educational,  interactive Bird Encounter sessions allowing visitors to get up close and personal with colourful birds of the world from finches to macaws. The Farm Friends enclosure hosts a collection of miniature animals, including donkeys, goats and sheep, as well as rabbits and guinea pigs. Guests are able to enjoy Devonshire teas any time during the day in one of the gazebos overlooking the Gardens and mountains. Gardens are open 9am to 4.30pm 7 days a week and only closed on Christmas Day. Aviary tours run several times daily.

Visit www.malenybotanicgardens.com.au for more information

Image top. Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell at Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World in July 2025; Image centre: Minister Powell and Maleny Botanic Gardens GM Verena Olesch;  Maleny Botanic Gardens vista