Sunshine Coast’s most cherished rainforest destination has opened up a new interactive exhibition inviting visitors to slow down and tune into the natural world.
The Forest Sensing exhibit is now welcoming visitors at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in Maleny, offering a hands-on way to explore the sights, sounds, textures and scents of the subtropical rainforest.
Designed for all ages, the exhibit encourages families, locals and visitors alike to deepen their connection with nature.
Sunshine Coast Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston said the experience offered a rare opportunity to truly notice the forest’s subtle rhythms.
“The forest is a vibrant and mesmerising world,” Cr Johnston said.
“When we slow down and open our senses, it reveals its secrets in ways we often overlook.”
The exhibit features interactive displays, tactile walls showcasing bark, seeds and leaves, and sensory stations that highlight distinctive rainforest scents.
Visitors can also become “citizen scientists” using forest explorer kits equipped with binoculars, magnifying tools and recording clipboards or find calm through mindfulness activities designed to enhance listening and observation.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is home to remarkable biodiversity, from pademelons quietly moving through the undergrowth to more than 100 bird species, including the famously vocal green catbird.
Visitors may also spot the rare Richmond birdwing butterfly or admire one of Queensland’s largest red cedar trees, estimated to be more than 400 years old.
Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor, Tim Burns said the exhibit encourages people to recognise their place within the ecosystem.
“By engaging all our senses, we gain a deeper appreciation of the rainforest and why it needs to be treasured,” he said.
The Forest Sensing exhibit is open daily from 9.30am to 3.30pm, excluding public holidays.
More information is available via the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve website.
