A new $1 million lookout is set to provide travellers with the perfect vantage point.
Works have started on an observation area near Maleny that offers stunning views to the south.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson confirmed the detailed plans for the site, which sits at an elevation of about 420m on Mountain View Road.
“It includes a shelter and seat that offers sweeping views of the Glass House Mountains,” they said.
“The viewing area is on public land within the road corridor, which ensures council can safely deliver 13 dedicated parking bays next to the road.”
“As the lookout is on a bend, a safe amount of separation is needed to allow vehicles to either pull off to park and soak up the scenery or continue on.
“Traffic calming, earthworks, drainage infrastructure and a retaining wall are all part of the works. The design also incorporates a disabled parking bay.”
The works started last month and are expected the be completed by mid-June, weather permitting.
The project funding is coming from council and the Australian Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (Phase Four).
The soon-to-be-opened lookout is about 1.3km west of the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, and is not far from the iconic One Tree Hill, which was closed to public access last January.
Construction of the lookout has created some buzz among local groups on social media.
“Will be the best view ever,” Leonie Higham said via the Maleny Historical Memories Facebook page.
“Fantastic. I suggested they do this in the last community consultation survey,” Mandy Lupton said.
It will be known, at least temporarily, as the Mountain View Road Lookout.
There are several other lookouts in the area, like McCarthy’s Lookout and the Skipper Musk Teahouse Lookout.
The view from the scenic reserve is partially obscured by trees, so the new lookout is expected to be popular.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
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