About the Trail

​The Story of the Trail:

We are thrilled to announce the Montville Timber Trail, a collaborative event between Montville Woods Gallery, Makers’ Design Fair, and Barung Landcare—created to bring together woodworkers, designers, artists, teachers, and the wider community for a vibrant celebration of sustainable timber craft.

When news broke that the Maleny Wood Expo would be cancelled for 2025, and with the prestigious Wootha Prize needing a new home, local makers, galleries, and community leaders came together to create something meaningful. The goal was to celebrate the already thriving woodworking and craft culture of the Blackall Range while honouring the legacy of the Wood Expo that inspired it.

The collaboration between Montville Woods Gallery, Makers’ Design Fair, and Barung Landcare brings together deep community roots, curatorial expertise, and a shared passion for craftsmanship and sustainability.

The Montville Timber Trail promises something for everyone—from hobbyists and emerging makers discovering the craft, to professionals, fine furniture collectors, design lovers, and curious visitors exploring Montville for the first time. With stalls, workshops, exhibitions, and Australia’s leading woodworking prize on display, the event is set to become a highlight of the hinterland’s cultural calendar.

The 2026 Montville Timber Trail and Barung Landcare’s Wootha Prize will take place 2–3 May, 10am–4pm (with the Wootha Prize exhibition extending to 4 May) in the heart of Montville village. Set across several beautiful venues within easy walking distance of each other, the event has been thoughtfully designed to offer an immersive and inspiring journey through the world of woodworking and contemporary craft.

Join us this May in Montville village and experience the Sunshine Coast’s newest celebration of timber, creativity, and community.

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The Timber Trail Values:

 

Craft

Craft sits at the centre of the Montville Timber Trail—not just as an artform, but as a way of thinking, connecting, and creating.

Whether you’re a hobbyist carving your first spoon, a weekend DIY enthusiast, or a fine furniture maker refining your next exhibition piece, the trail offers something for every stage of the creative journey.

Visitors can experience demonstrations, meet accomplished craftspeople, learn about high-quality design, and discover tools, materials, and ideas to spark their next project.

Craft teaches patience, skill, sustainability, and self-expression—and the Timber Trail celebrates it all.

Come be inspired, level up your skills, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the handmade.

Community

The Montville Timber Trail isn’t just an event—it’s an investment in our community.

Every workshop booked, every conversation shared, and every handcrafted piece purchased helps keep local craft alive, supports small businesses, and nurtures a strong creative culture in the hinterland.

Together, we’re building a vibrant community where creativity is valued, skills are shared, and our local economy can thrive.

Thank you for being part of it.

Heritage

The Montville Timber Trail honours the deep cultural heritage of the hinterland—a place shaped by generations of makers, creators, and storytellers.

This land has a long and continuing First Nations history, and we acknowledge and respect the Traditional Custodians whose knowledge, skill, and connection to Country remain a vital part of the region’s story.

Alongside the rich timber-working skills and traditions of Montville’s early settlers, this event highlights how craft, land, and culture have always been intertwined here.

As visitors walk the trail, we hope they feel the shared history and appreciation for the role that trees and timber have played in shaping this region.

Sustainability

At the heart of the Montville Timber Trail is a deep commitment to sustainability and care for the land we call home.

Every maker, demonstration, and exhibition on the trail celebrates respect for local timbers, regenerative practices, and thoughtful craftsmanship. We’re shining a light on how furniture, sculpture, and objects of beauty can be created in harmony with the landscape.

By championing local materials, responsible harvesting, and a culture of repair and longevity, the Timber Trail invites visitors to reconnect with nature and understand the true value of the trees that shape this region.

Join us as we celebrate creativity that treads lightly, honours the land, and inspires a more sustainable future for our community.

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What’s On:

 

Stalls

The Village Hall, St Mary’s Hall, and The Edge will host over 20 stalls, including:

Woodworking, toolmaking, timber sales, wood carving, furniture making, woodturning, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, leather goods, pyrography, and more.

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Barung Landcare’s Wootha Prize

The Sunshine Coast Wootha Prize, one of Australia’s most respected national woodworking competitions, will be presented at the stunning Glass House at Montvale from 1–4 May.

Hosted by Barung Landcare, the prize attracts contemporary designers and craftspeople from across Australia and celebrates the sustainable use of native timbers, following the competition’s ethos:

“Sustainable by Nature, Beautiful by Design.”

Category prizes include:

• Furniture

• Sculpture

• Tiny Treasures

as well as the William Bayliss Commemorative Prize, valued at $10,000.

Key sponsors include MCU Communities, Hinterland Business, Queensland Water and Land Carers, and Arbortech.

Tickets to attend the Wootha Prize exhibition are now on sale:

• $8 adults

• $5 concession

• Free for children 16 and under

All proceeds support Barung Landcare in running the annual prize and its environmental initiatives.

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Barung Landcare Plant Stall

At the same venue as the Wootha Prize, Barung Landcare will be selling native plants in the Montvale at Montville car park.

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Demonstrations

Watch master craftspeople demonstrate their skills in woodcraft and furniture making throughout the weekend, including steam bending and wood carving demonstrations.

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Workshops

Woodworking workshops at the Montville Timber Trail are now live and available to book.

Join us at the Montville Village Hall for a hands-on weekend celebrating craft, community, heritage, and sustainability, led by incredible makers including Gary Field, Sara Smith, and Danny Holmes.

Current workshops include:

• Platypus Carving with Gary Field — Sat 2 May | 1–4pm

• Mushroom Carving with Gary Field — Sun 3 May | 1–4pm

• Spoon Carving with Danny Holmes — Sun 3 May | 9am–3pm

• Two Day Stool Making Workshop with Sara Smith - Sat 2 May & Sun 3 May | 9am - 3pm

• Pyrography with Kellie Mannix - Sunday 3 May | 9am - 12pm

• Veterans Wood Carving with Nev Jones - Sat 2 May | 9am - 1pm

These workshops are suitable for beginners and hands-on learners who want to slow down, work with timber, and learn directly from experienced craftspeople.

Spots are limited and will fill quickly.

CLICK HERE to book, or email shop@montvillewoodsgallery.com.au to join the waiting list.

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Talks

Several talks about wood and the role it plays in our lives will be presented throughout the weekend by two Churchill Fellows who are masters in their field.

Scheduled talks include:

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Nev Jones (Halcyon Woodcraft)
Woodworking and Wellness
Venue: St Mary’s Church, Memorial Cl, Montville
Time: TBA

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Evan Dunstone (Dunstone Design)
Working with Native Timbers as a Furniture Maker
Venue: Barung Tent, Montvale at Montville, 92 Main St, Montville
Time: TBA

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Russell Family Park BushCare Group

The public is welcome to join the BushCare Group on Sunday 3rd May 7:30am - 9:30am to help tend the beautiful Russell Family Park in the heart of Montville Village. No experience is necessary, just a smile and enthusiasm for getting out into the garden. Located behind the Main street on the Western side, it's the perfect pre-event activity. 

 

Forming in 2007 with the hope of re-establishing a rainforest for critical habitats this the BushCare Group demonstrates an extraordinary degree of commitment as one of the most enduring environmental community groups on the Sunshine Coast. They meet weekly to create habitat for local wildlife and to improve the quality and resilience of the bushland in the Council Park. Russell Family Park BushCare Group’s valuable and long-term partnerships have created critical habitats and enhanced the place in which they live and love. 

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The Venues:

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• Montville Village Hall — Memorial Close, Montville

• Montvale at Montville — 92 Main St, Montville

• St Mary’s Hall — Memorial Close, Montville

• The Edge — 127 Main St, Montville

• St Mary’s Church — Memorial Close, Montville

• Montville Woods Gallery — 158 Main St, Montville

• Russell Family Park — 25 Western Ave, Montville

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Other Events on the Range:

 

Make the most of your trip to the hinterland and discover all the Range has to offer.

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Sunshine Coast Hinterland Writers Festival
2–3 May
Maleny Showgrounds, Maleny

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Blackall Range Woodcrafters Guild Open Day

2-3 May

Montville Sports Ground

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