Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World — Attraction in Sunshine Coast Regional

This attraction is located just outside Melany down a fairly steep driveway. On arrival there is plenty of parking with a short walk to the reception to buy tickets. You can pre-book tickets online but we decided not to as we were visiting on a week day. Allow up to half a day for the visit. There are two aspects to the experience. The extensive gardens and the aviary. If you want to go into the aviary you need to get a combination ticket that includes a nominated time for the aviary tour. Next to the reception there is a great lookout with spectacular views of the glasshouse mountains and the gardens stepping down into the valley. There is also a “meet the birds” experience where you can get a photograph with a selection of the exotic birds from the aviary. Walking around the gardens is very easy as the walkways follow fairly gentle grass slopes. There is the option to get a golf buggy at around $42 per hour that allows exploration along concreted tracks. Visiting in early August the gardens are not yet in full bloom and there are a couple of areas undergoing works at the moment. However, there is still lots to see including the views and one of the things I thought was particularly well thought out was the seating and pergolas in every area so that you can truly spend time and enjoy each zone of the garden. We spent around an hour exploring the gardens which was enough to get a look at most areas but we didn’t do all the walks and could have easily spent 2 hours in the gardens. The aviary tour takes about 50 minutes. Before the tour there is a safety video to watch. Please pay attention and take the requirements seriously. Removing jewellery such as necklaces and earrings is required as well at taking caps off that have metal buttons. You will get up close and personal with many of the birds when you walk around the a sections of the aviary which is an amazing experience but some of the birds may decide they want to take a souvenir from you and they can be quite determined! My husband lost a button off his shirt in front of me so I can attest to the determination!! And he was not the only one in our small group who lost buttons! There are 4 sections to the aviary with different birds in them. If you don’t want birds to land on you you can take a feather duster around with you which deters them from landing. However, the experience of having the birds land on you is quite interesting and provides some great photo ops. The ranger is also very good at making sure that no one misses out on a photo op by placing birds on people’s shoulders or arms. After the aviary tour there is a great cafe to visit with more stunning views. The tea and cakes were excellent. Overall a fabulous experience and...

Verdict - overpriced for the experience and overall disappointing in comparison to my last visit few years back, bird aviary tour and farm friends left me concern for the animals welfare, half of the staff unpleasant and disengaged, botanic gardens underwhelming. The only place with no faults was food and coffee quality and feathered friends area. Feels that place is disorganised and poorly managed. Based on your responses to other constructive feedback you are not taking it on board and acknowledging you could do better. I will not be back or recommend to visit.

Detailed review below: Coffee shop - food and coffee great. Whilst buying tickets not much information received. Buggy hire price is way too high $47 for an hour (seriously?) Aviary experience- few years back I had the most wonderful time, birds were happy coming down in droves to interact with people on their own free will. This time birds would only come down if lured by guide with nuts and then handed over to people. Bird were either thought not to come down or are disengaged and over it. Their behaviour left me concern for their wellbeing. Bonus for tour guide that almost made us run through the aviary, shouting rather than talking about birds and acting like she was there as a punishment. Totally disinterested in people. Overall it was very rushed, made me feel that you turned the once great experience into money making machine. Is it so hard to provide stuff with mic set so they don’t have to shout?

Farm friends - not a piece of grass for the animals within enclosure, animals were again appearing lethargic. I have been to many farms experiences and this was not it. Again concerned about animals - quite a few together in rather small space. Bonus another rude, disengaged and shouty staff member.

Botanic gardens - not a bin in sight throughout the whole gardens? Not enough plant names around as it should be in botanic gardens. Not entirely sure where the fish to feed was as I could not find any in the ponds. Some construction going that we could have been told about whilst buying tickets, to understand best way to walk around.

Feathered friends - I had more interaction with these birds in 5 minutes than in 50 in aviary. The staff member there was first that seem to love the birds and we had a good chat And little dance off with Aggro. Shame that we weren’t told the area closes for birdies sleep at 2pm whilst buying tickets, as we would prioritise this over the garden.

Overall - what happen with the Gardens I don’t know? but I was very sad to see the animals and the staff being so disconnected...

Arrived late this morning and had never been here before, so there were no expectations. Booked in for the midday bird visit and had 10 minutes with Bec, a bird handler, to view the birds sitting on their poles in the open. Good variety of birds with many assorted colours & talents! An opportunity to get up close & personal with them & Bec placed 1 or 2 on our shoulders for a photo op. Bec was very friendly & informative. Then, a short walk down to the bird aviaries to meet Melva, another bird handler, to explain the next steps. We viewed a safety video and had to remove all head jewellery & caps for the safety of the birds before walking into the first aviary. This aviary had a mixture of smaller birds. The next aviary had parrots, cockatiels, etc, which would fly and land on us. Then Kids then had an opportunity for photos. The next aviary were macaws, black cockatoos, etc. The last aviary were for more photo op with Melva placing a macaw on our heads. The whole hour + in the aviary with Melva was a hands-on experience, and she explained what to watch out for and shared the personal stories of the birds. Melva was also friendly and helpful. The birds always want to be with her. The gardens are beautiful with many waterholes, including a little waterfall. There is a pond with an old boat, 'docked at a small jetty', that you could walk on. Around the waterholes, there are buoys in case anyone falls in. There are also gardens ready for new planting. A small train & a large chair for kids to climb on. The cafe has a great little menu & the food is tasty. Lots of wooden structures are also great viewing platforms with tables and chairs. An animal enclosure with goats, donkeys, sheep & food to feed them can be purchased at the shop. There are chooks and ducks, too. Public toilets are near the shop/cafe/ticket purchase building. This site is not desirable for wheelchairs/walking difficulties, but there are buggies for hire that you can self drive down the steep hill to get you to the aviary & gardens. A steep drive down to this site and ample parking on 2 different levels. This experience felt like a family operated business that made the time spent here very personal. We would have stayed for a 2nd viewing at a lesser cost but missed out due to travelling. Entry for us 2 adults was $90, and there is no time limit. I would definitely recommend this experience and look forward...