Mapleton, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mapleton Queensland
St Isidore's, a historic homestead, in 1998
Mapleton Location in Queensland
Population	1,661 (2021 census)
• Density	128.8/km2 (334/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4560
Area	12.9 km2 (5.0 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	11.4 km (7 mi) W of Nambour 26.6 km (17 mi) W of Maroochydore 43 km (27 mi) NW of Caloundra 107 km (66 mi) N of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region
State electorate(s)	Nicklin
Federal Division(s)	Fairfax
Localities around Mapleton: Gheerulla Gheerulla Kureelpa Obi Obi Mapleton Dulong Obi Obi Flaxton Flaxton

Mapleton is a small country town in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. It's known for its beautiful views of the Sunshine Coast. In 2021, about 1,661 people lived in Mapleton.

The town is home to one of Queensland's biggest outdoor education centers, QCCC Mapleton. You can also find the lovely Lilyponds park, the Mapleton Tavern, and the historic Seaview House (St Isidore's Farm College) here.

Exploring Mapleton's Location

Mapleton is located high up on the Blackall Range. This is a mountain range in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. It's only a 10-minute drive from Nambour. It's also about 25 minutes from Maleny and 30 minutes from Maroochydore.

Several roads lead into and out of Mapleton. These include Montville–Mapleton Road, Nambour–Mapleton Road, and Obi Obi Road.

A Look Back at Mapleton's Past

For many, many years, the Blackall Range has been a special place for Aboriginal people. This area had lots of bunya pines, which produced huge crops of nuts. These nuts provided enough food for large gatherings.

Every three years, when the bunya nuts were ready, the Kabi Kabi and Wakka Wakka people held the Bonyee Festival. Many guests traveled from far away to share food, songs, and dances. They also arranged marriages and social events. A big grassy area near Baroon Pocket was an important meeting spot.

How Mapleton Got Its Name

The first European settlers in the area grew fruits, vegetables, and other crops. Timber cutters also came to cut down trees like red cedar and beech. They took the timber to Nambour.

At first, the settlement was called Luton Vale. But in 1894, the early settlers decided to change the name. One of the group, W.J. Smith, had read about an English town called Mapleton. So, they chose that name. The area officially became Mapleton for postal services in 1894.

Early Development and Industries

During the 1890s, more farms and plantations were set up in Mapleton. The Mapleton Provisional School opened on July 17, 1899, with 15 students. It became Mapleton State School in 1909.

By 1909, a sawmill was working in the town. It closed in 1972. From 1915 to 1944, a small tramway ran from Nambour to Mapleton. It was used to transport goods.

For many years, growing pineapples, dairy farming, and small crops were the main jobs in Mapleton. But since the late 1950s, tourism has become very important because of the area's natural beauty.

Mapleton's Population

In 2016, Mapleton had a population of 1,564 people. By 2021, the number of people living in Mapleton grew to 1,661.

Historic Places in Mapleton

Mapleton has one special heritage-listed site. This means it's a place protected for its history.

• St Isidore's (also known as Seaview House) at 40 Post Office Road.

Schools in Mapleton

Mapleton State School is a primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located on Flaxton Drive. In 2017, the school had 218 students and a team of teachers and staff. The school has large grounds, including Baxters Creek. It also has a special education program.

There are no high schools directly in Mapleton. The closest government high school is Burnside State High School in Burnside, which is near Nambour.

Community Life and Services

Mapleton has many helpful community services and clubs.

• The Mapleton Community Library is run by volunteers at 10 Obi Obi Creek Road.
• The Mapleton Post Office is at 11 Post Office Road.

You can also find the Mapleton & District Community Associations (MADCA), a bowls club, and a community gym. There's a tourist information and arts center, a choir, and a tennis club. The town also has a kindergarten and a rural fire service. A medical center provides healthcare for the community. The Mapleton Tennis Club has two outdoor courts for members and the public.

Fun Things to See and Do

The Blackall Range Tourist Drive is a great way to explore Mapleton. Along Obi Obi Road and Post Office Road, you'll find many shops. These include a fish and chip shop, cafes, a bakery, and a tavern. There's also an art gallery, gift shop, and restaurants.

You can visit the Community Information Centre on Obi Obi Road. Next door, in the Old School House, is a secondhand clothing shop. It raises money for the Sunshine Coast Community Hospice. Mapleton also has a hardware store, supermarket, service station, and pharmacy.

Outdoor Education and Nature

The biggest attraction for visitors is the Queensland Conference and Camping (QCCC) Outdoor Education Centre. It was built in 1983. This center hosts 30,000 guests every year, mostly school children. The large property has over twenty different activities and employs many local people.

The Mapleton Observatory is located at the Mapleton State School. Volunteers run it, and it's open for the public to visit.

Mapleton Falls National Park is a beautiful place to visit. It protects old rainforests with bunya pines and tall blackbutt forests. You can enjoy amazing mountain views here. There are picnic tables, toilets, and barbecues available.

The park is where Pencil Creek falls 120 meters over a cliff. This small park is home to many birds, like the peregrine falcon and wompoo fruit-dove. From the carpark, a short walk leads to the Mapleton Falls lookout. It has wheelchair access to the toilet and lookout. You can see the waterfall and the Obi Obi Valley from here.

Parks and Walks

The Lilyponds area used to be a swamp. It was given a big makeover to become a community park. It now has free barbecues, a children's play park, and covered seating areas. It's a great spot for families.

Delicia Road Conservation Park is a small park that protects native forests. It's a safe place for wildlife. Locals often call it Linda Garrett Park because the land was donated by Linda Garrett. There's a 2.2 km walk called the Linda Garrett circuit. It goes through rainforest, a palm grove, and tall eucalypt forests. You might see the great barred frog along Gheerulla Creek. Birdwatchers might hear the special call of the endangered marbled frogmouth.

Places to Stay

Mapleton has different places to stay for visitors. You can find two caravan parks, several self-catering units, and bed-and-breakfasts. The Queensland Conference and Camping Centres Mapleton can host up to three hundred people.