October brings two very different reasons to make a cabin booking on the Blackall Range. Rangebow Festival runs from Friday 9 to Sunday 18 October, with small performances and conversations in Montville, Flaxton and nearby villages. Blackall100 follows in Mapleton on Saturday 17 October for runners, crews and supporters.
Neither needs to take over the whole stay. Pick one event, then let the cabin do the quieter work around it.
Rangebow, 9 to 18 October
Rangebow is spread across the hinterland, so the useful approach is to choose a single event rather than treat the ten-day festival as a checklist. Its 2026 programme includes several small-format options near Montville.
Sunrise Celtic Chorus on Jinibara opens the festival at Flaxton Gardens on Friday 9 October. Beyond Words runs at St Mary’s Church in Montville on selected days, with a contemplative hour built around the Desiderata. On Saturday 17 October, Chapel of Love: Baroque Botanica brings Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra musicians to Montvale’s glass chapel.
Those are quite different plans, but each works for guests who would rather have one considered outing than a full day in the car. Check the official festival page for the current dates, times, ticket terms and accessibility information before booking. Rangebow uses progressive pricing, so early booking is the lower-price option where tickets are paid.
Blackall100, 17 October
Blackall100 starts and finishes at QCCC on Obi Obi Road in Mapleton. The 100 km, 50 km and 21 km events follow the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk. It is a serious race weekend, not a casual walk, but a private cabin can suit runners who want a proper bed and a quiet place to prepare or recover, and supporters who want a calm base around the fixed schedule.
The 100 km race starts at 6 am, the 50 km at 6:30 am and the 21 km at 7:15 am on Saturday. Race sign-in is on Friday afternoon and evening. The organiser requires all runners to carry mandatory gear and directs event parking to Mapleton Community Hall rather than QCCC. Read the event guide rather than relying on general trail-running advice.
Return to the cabin
October can hold a concert evening, an early race start or simply a slow spring day on the range. The cabins give each option an unhurried finish: a private balcony, spa bath and kitchen, plus breakfast supplies waiting for the next morning. Firewood is supplied through September only, so October evenings are for the reverse-cycle heating if the temperature drops.
If you would like dinner ready after an event, BBQ packs and hot dinner hampers are available when ordered at least 24 hours ahead. Otherwise, leave the evening clear and make the cabin the point of the stay.