MONTO

THE TOWN OF MONTO IS 15KM FURTHER ON FROM MULGILDIE ON THE BURNETT HIGHWAY. IT IS THE YOUNGEST AND MOST NORTHERN TOWN IN THE NORTH BURNETT WITH A POPULATION OF 1,159.

PIONEER COTTAGE INFORMATION CENTRE Lister Street | 1300 696 272 admin@northburnett.qld.gov.au

Heading north along the Burnett Highway (A3) from Eidsvold be sure to stop at Mulgildie, home of the Mulgildie Bunyip. A statue of the Bunyip, a mythological creature, was unveiled in 2011 commemorating 80 years of service of the Queensland Country Women’s Association Mulgildie branch. Tales of a creature lurking the depths of a watering hole in the Three Moon Creek system of Mulgildie have a long and ancient history. Drive over the railway line, continue on this road for approximately 1.5km – turn left onto Abercorn Road. Turn left onto Anyarro Road which is approx. 11km from Mulgildie. If you turn left before you cross the bridge and follow the track, you will find a lovely swimming hole.

The town takes its name from its railway station, which in turn is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘ridgy plain’. Europeans settled in the area in the late 1840s, maintaining large pastoral holdings at the northern end of the Burnett Valley. Gold unearthed along Three Moon Creek, a tributary of the Burnett River, in the 1870s attracted further settlers. The township of Monto was not formally established until 1924 in which year the Post Office opened.

Cultural and Historic Complex and Museum Reserve is located in Flinders Street (Burnett Highway). The complex boasts photographic displays, memorabilia on Monto’s Olympic Welterweight representative, an outstanding mineral connection and the ‘Rainmaker’ mosaic. Local artefacts and machinery have been restored and preserved by members of the Historical Society.

The town has a number of notable Art Deco buildings representative of the era when it was developed. The Monto Town Hall built in 1939/40 has particular architectural merit. One of the architects designed the Brisbane City Hall, Sandgate Town Hall and Tattersalls Club in Brisbane.

TOWN OF MONTO

Sightseeing

HISTORIC MONAL GOLD FIELDS AND CEMETERY The site of the former Monal township, cemetery and mine is located approximately 40km north of Monto in rugged mountainous terrain along the Monal Creek in lightly forested environs. Access is via Monal Road incorporating partly unsealed sections requiring 4WD vehicle use.

LISTER STREET ARTWALK Enjoy a picnic, barbeque or takeaway lunch and stroll along the Artwalk in the beautifully landscaped Lister Street Parkland while viewing metal and sandstone sculptures created by local and regional artists. Look for murals on water towers and buildings.

MONTO ART TRAIL Art murals of bright colours, local scenes and stories make for a colourful inclusion of a walk in Monto’s CBD. These painted shops are part of a developing art trail throughout Monto. Go on a muster and see the six different painted cows in town that pay tribute to Monto’s dairy history. The Water Towers and Silos in Monto are also painted, sharing colourful stories of the town’s legend of the Three Moon and the settlement of Monto.

COOMINGLAH STATE FOREST Coominglah State Forest is 19km north of Monto off the Burnett Highway (A3). Enjoy a bushland drive, picnic and majestic views in the company of native plants, animals and birds. There are no water or toilet facilities; the nearest toilet is in the rest area near the state forest entrance. While there are no walking tracks, you can stretch your legs at the Hurdle Valley Lookout and enjoy a long view into the valley of Three

Beautiful Betsy replica at the Historical Complex

Monto is famous for its beef, dairy and pork. Approaching Monto from every direction you’ll see the hum of agriculture that never stops. Be sure to have a sample from the local butchers, bakers, cafes and restaurants in the region!

Kalpowar Hall Mural

Local Knowledge

Spend a long weekend at Cania Gorge National Park and explore the different walking trails, make friends with the wildlife and enjoy the star filled skies! – Matt

Three Moon Silos

Moon Creek, across the Mulgildie Plateau and the Burnett River catchment. The lookout has an interpretive display, picnic tables and small parking area.

KALPOWAR STATE FOREST Kalpowar State Forest is 37km north-east of Monto on the Monto-Gladstone Road. The gravel access road to the state forest is accessible by conventional vehicles, caravans and motor homes. Patches of dense rainforest with towering hoop pines remain between open eucalypt forests and hoop pine plantations. Picnic or camp in a tranquil bush setting beside Crane Creek. Camping permits are required and fees apply.

There are many versions of how Three Moon Creek was named. One account tells of a traveller passing through the area or it could have been a shepherd who set up camp and at nightfall went to the creek to fill his billy. Drawing water from the creek he caught a glimpse of the reflection of the moon in the billy, in the creek and in the sky ... hence three moons. Another legend refers to an Aboriginal stockman being asked to come back for more work in three months, not understanding fully it was agreed that he would return in three moons.

Cania Gorge National Park

Cania Gorge National Park

Cania Gorge National Park is the closest Central Queensland Sandstone landscape to the coast (194km from Gladstone). From Monto travel north for 12km then take the sealed Cania Road for 14km passing through the small settlement of Moonford. Aboriginal people lived in Cania Gorge for at least 19,000 years. Freehand art on remote sandstone walls is a reminder of their special way of life.

Picnic shelters, barbeques, interpretive display, public toilets and car parking are provided at the Cania Gorge picnic area. Camping isn’t permitted in the park; two caravan parks and holiday cottages nearby provide accommodation.

There are walking tracks varying from 300m to 22km across a range of fitness levels. These include Shamrock Mine, an easy Class 2 1.4km return walk (allow 45 minutes) to a former mine site. It begins in the northern car park, about 1km south of Lake Cania. Here lie the remains of the old battery, mine shaft, processing sheds and mullock heaps. Gold fossicking is not permitted. On return spend time at the information shelter learning about life in the gold fields.

Big Foot Walk – allow about 20 minutes for this short Class 3 1km trail that features a large brown image of a four-toed foot on the white sandstone cliff. Castle Mountain – from the picnic grounds follow the 800m Bloodwood Cave track to the Castle Mountain track turnoff. Climb the steep 200m track to the Gorge Lookout for a view down the gorge. From here a 10km fire trail winds through open woodland to Castle Mountain Lookout. The view is a just reward after the long walk. Return via the same route.

Cania Gorge National Park

Cania Dam

Cania Gorge National Park

Fishing & Boating

WURUMA DAM Wuruma Dam is located on the Nogo River 55km from Monto. Head south on Airport Road and Abercorn Road, turn off and follow the Wuruma Dam Road. Water sports include water skiing, power boating, canoeing, sailing, fishing and swimming. Stocked fish include Golden Perch, Silver Perch, Australian Bass, Barramundi and Saratoga. There are breeding populations of Eel-tailed Catfish, Spangled Perch and Eels. Facilities include sheltered picnic tables, toilets and a boat ramp. A 200m exclusion zone for boating exists from the dam wall. Camping is permitted in the designated area for stays up to two weeks. Open fires are not allowed and visitors are allowed to bring their own non-wood fired barbeques. CANIA DAM Cania Dam is 37km north of Monto. The sealed road branches off the Burnett Highway (A3) 12km north of Monto and passes through the Cania Gorge National Park. Water sports include fishing, sailing, water skiing, tubing, canoeing and wind surfing. The lake is noted for Saratoga catches, with other species including Golden Perch (Yellow Belly), Silver Perch, Eel and Snub-nosed Garfish. Fishing permits are needed all year round. Facilities include boat ramp, picnic shelters, electric barbeque, lookout, kiosk and toilets. The easy drive or steep walk to the lookout is worth the effort to view the gorge’s coloured sandstone cliffs and spectacular sunsets. Kangaroos and Whip-tails inhabit the area during late afternoons. Camping is only permitted at the two caravan parks located each end of the Cania Gorge National Park.

Cania Dam