We Found the Messiest Thing to Do in Maleny—and It Was So Much Fun

When most people think of Maleny, they think of scenic views, cafés, and hinterland drives. We ended up in a blacklit room covered in neon paint, throwing colour at each other—and it was well worth the drive!

I was looking for fun things to do during “birthday month” for myself when my friend reposted an ad for Messy Glow Co on Facebook. I had already tried the Splatter and Splash Paint Room Experience at DIY Invasion, which is similar, and we loved it there. I hadn’t blogged about it though, as it doesn’t accept Companion Cards. This place does!

What Messy Glow Co actually is

At Messy Glow Co, you can let your inner child (or actual child) go wild with ultraviolet paints on the walls, floors, yourself, each other, or on a canvas you can purchase for an extra cost.

Protective gear is provided if you don’t want to get too messy. There are also headphones available for those with sensory needs, as the drum can be quite loud—not to mention the laughing and squealing from everyone having a blast.

First impressions

Anna was very welcoming, accommodating, and gave clear instructions before we started. Energetic music was playing to set the vibe, and we were pumped to get started.

Before heading into the room, we sat down and made glow-in-the-dark wristbands to wear inside. Anna suggested we use the number of beads that matched our age, but I’m afraid mine definitely would not have fit that many beads.

The chaos begins...

Firstly, I was so impressed with the amount of materials provided—paints, brushes, rollers, a fly swat, the drum (my favourite), glitter, glowing letters, and coloured paper. It felt endless.

My friend and I each got a small canvas, so we splattered colours all over them… and then all over each other. We all wore white shirts so we could take them home as mementos.

At one point, we were helping with each other’s wearable “artwork” before random sprays of paint started coming at me from someone else’s child.

My favourite parts were creating my canvas to take home and using the drum. It’s loud, but so much fun to bash it and watch the paint fly everywhere. Just don’t stand over it—you’ll probably get paint in your eye like I did. Haha.

Things to know before you go

• Wear old clothes, underwear, or swimwear. Even better—wear a white shirt.
• Take a towel.
• Bring wipes for your face and hands. A bath inside the paint room is available to wash off, but we found wipes easier.
• You go in barefoot.
• Bring a bag to put your painted clothes/canvas in.
• A spare change of clothes is ideal.
• Book ahead.
• Bring a phone cover if taking photos/videos.
• Ideal for couples, friends, birthdays, families, and of course, your support worker.

Is it worth it?

ABSOLUTELY.

The cost was excellent value for money. It’s something I would definitely do again and was a fantastic stress reliever.

What would I change? Honestly, only the clean-up process. I feel like an outdoor shower or hose setup would make cleaning up much easier—especially if it was located away from the paint room itself.

Apart from that, I wouldn’t change a thing.

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Maleny beyond the usual tourist stops, Messy Glow Co is chaotic, creative, and ridiculously fun. Just don’t expect to stay clean!

Accessibility Information

🎟️ Cost

From $45 per person.

🗓️ When

Friday to Sunday. See the website for dates and session times.

📍 Where

Messy Glow Co

Unit 5/37 Coral Street, Maleny QLD 4552

♿ Companion Card

Accepted. Free entry for your support person with a paid ticket.

Ease of use: Easy—just email after booking to have your support person added.

😊 Customer Service

Fantastic. Anna was very friendly and approachable.

🧑‍🦽 Wheelchair Access

While you may be able to access the venue and paint room, I could see it being difficult. There is limited space inside the room.

I personally didn’t notice any accessible toilets. Cleaning up afterwards may also be difficult, including cleaning mobility equipment.

I’d recommend contacting Anna directly if you have questions about accessibility or participation options.

🚗 Parking & Transport

Limited free parking is available at the venue.

For accessibility parking, contact the venue directly for more information, as I personally didn’t notice any designated spaces.

🔒 Security

We attended during the day and it felt like a safe area. The venue is located next to the car park.

🐾 Pet Policy

I’m unsure. Contact the venue before your visit.

🧘 Quiet Spaces

There is a sensory swing outside the paint room.

You can leave at any time to sit in the front room if you need quiet time. Headphones are also provided for noise sensitivity.

🍔 Food Options

There are many food venues nearby. We visited on a Saturday and it was insanely busy, so we went to Maleny Hotel because parking was easier.

👥 Crowds

We were in the room with a couple of other small groups and it still felt comfortable.

We didn’t move around too much, to be honest—I didn’t want to slip over and break a hip.

Correct at the time of attending on 9 May 2026