Maleny is a small rural town 100 kilometres north of Brisbane, Queensland. With a population of 1000, it sits 450 metres above sea-level, one of 4 settlements that dot the Blackall Range, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The town enjoys a panoramic view of The Glasshouse Mountains, a range of extinct volcanic plugs to the south-east. Maleny is a Mecca for migrants interested in ecology, alternative lifestyles, arts and crafts and the outdoors.

Maleny's climate is typical of its altitude; generally cool in winter, wet and warm in summer . In 2009 the mean mid-winter temperature (July) was 13.3° Celsius and the mean for high summer (December) was 22.4° , although it did reach as high as 38° Celsius on at least one day in November.

Early industry in Maleny was based around the native timber. Forests of beech, cedar and hoop pine were felled for local building and for export to Great Britain. Once cleared, the land was used for dairy farming. Today, tourism is the main industry in the area. For many visitors the attraction is the Sunshine Coast Hinterland 'Great Walk'. 58kms long, the walk trecks through the Blackall Range, 2 national parks and the Maleny forest reserve. Maleny is home to many artisans and alternative lifestylers many of whom operate co-operatives and stores.  Entrepreneurial local farmers are capitalising on tourism by diversifying into value-added areas like cheese making.

Families with children, moving to Maleny, have access to several schools. There is a state primary, state high school, and an alternative ‘neo-humanist’ primary school. The Sunshine Coast Grammar School is only 18 kilometres away, on a stunning 80 acre campus.