Gallery: Timber Trail brings old Montville spirit back to life
The first Montville Timber Trail has drawn about 1400 visitors across the village, giving local makers, galleries and businesses a welcome boost after the loss of the much-loved Maleny Wood Expo.
Organiser Ben Adams said the event grew from a shared sense of disappointment among woodworkers when the Maleny Wood Expo was cancelled.
“Our circle of woodworking friends were genuinely gutted when the Maleny Wood Expo was cancelled,” he said.
“All of us had come together through the Wood Expo in one way or another, and we knew the local community was filled with people who felt the same sense of loss.”
Mr Adams said his own connection to the expo ran deep, having volunteered there for several years, and that it played a significant role in his decision to pursue woodworking as a career.
“We wanted to create something that could offer others what the Expo had given us: a source of inspiration, access to specialised materials and tools, and meaningful connection with like-minded craftspeople,” he said.
The event came together after Arabella Lubbers, of Montville Woods Gallery, approached Mr Adams about collaborating on a woodworking event.
The Timber Trail also became the new home for the Wootha Prize, helping continue a legacy built through the Maleny Wood Expo over the previous 25 years.
Mr Adams said the Wootha Prize was a major drawcard, with opening night selling out and organisers forced to turn people away as they tried to secure tickets.
Visitors travelled from across South East Queensland and interstate, helping bring strong foot traffic to venues across Montville.
Hands-on workshops also proved popular, with many selling out, while timber sales at St Mary’s Church were constant from setup through to pack down.
Mr Adams said the response showed there was a clear appetite for a well-curated, craft-focused event celebrating timber, craftsmanship and the hinterland’s creative community.
He said the Timber Trail promoted timber as a renewable resource and encouraged mindful making using locally and ethically sourced materials, continuing the environmental message long associated with Barung Landcare.
Through workshops and demonstrations, visitors were also able to connect with traditional skills, craft for wellbeing and sustainable practices.
Local businesses reported strong trade across the weekend, with one shop owner saying it felt “just like the old days,” when Montville was a thriving arts and crafts hub each weekend.
Mr Adams said support from shops, galleries and accommodation businesses had been overwhelmingly positive, with one exhibitor already asking about booking accommodation for next year as soon as dates were announced.
He said the first event showed what could happen when venues, makers and the community worked together.
“This year demonstrated how powerful a shared vision can be,” he said.
