About 100kms, or an hour’s drive north of Brisbane, Mapleton sits high in the Blackall Ranges, on the fringe of Mapleton Falls National Park. It boasts great views across the Sunshine Coast, and the road from Maleny via Montville and Flaxton, to Mapleton, is one of the state’s most scenic drives. The famous Mapleton Falls are a dramatic 120 feet drop from the cliffs of the Blackall Ranges. The Wompoo Circuit hiking track takes in the falls, and the Obi Obi Valley, a particularly attractive rainforest remnant full of ferns and Eucalypts and home to diverse wildlife including the native Australian Peregrine falcon, and many other species of birds, frogs and reptiles.

Like the other Queensland Hinterland towns, one of the pleasures of Mapleton - as well as the beautiful scenery and wholesome lifestyle - is the moderate temperature. Mid summer temperatures range between 19 and 30, and mid winter temperatures between 9- 21° Celsius. Around 2000 people live in Mapleton, but there are always lots of visitors: like much of the Sunshine Coast, tourism is an important economic driver, and the area is dotted with B&Bs, backpackers and boutique accommodation.

The nearest main highway to Mapleton is the Bruce highway, and the Sunshine Coast Airport is 25 kms away at Marcoola. Families moving to Mapleton with school age children can choose from several schools in the surrounding area: Mapleton State School caters to students up to year 7; Blackall Range Independent School at Kureelpa 3.7 kms away serves primary and secondary students, and there are a selection of state and private schools within 10kms, at Montville and Nambour.