Monto Shire

Journey through a patchwork of rural crop plantations, vineyards, farmlands and livestock estates en route to national parks and reserves networked with kilometres of enchanting bushwalking trails.  Quiet country roads open up to rugged tracks where nature’s hidden secrets are waiting to be explored.  This is the essence of the Monto Shire – private and wholesome.

An amazing variety of natural landscapes, visitor attractions and interesting events makes the Monto Shire an exciting destination for self-drive travellers. Found on the Country Way, the only thing you need to watch for on the peaceful rural roads are cattle grazing. Imagine carefully negotiating the undulating trails and tracks with your four-wheel drive that weave their way through the dense forests.  Hidden natural gems can be found around every corner. 

The Monto Shire has grown from humble beginnings when gold rush fever hit the area during the 19th century. Today, the shire is a thriving primary industries location with beef, pigs, lucerne, grain, timber and milk major products.  The shire’s central town Monto is a tranquil hinterland jewel that invites discovery. 

Monto is a town which is proud of its past. Uncover the town’s rich heritage at either the Visitors Centre. Book a time to walk through the amazing array of historic relics, videos, old documents and preserved photos of early settlers at the Monto History Centre.  At the Monto Cultural and Historic Complex, Basil Ostwald’s Mineral Collection will provide interesting information about the area’s mineral exploration while local personality Harold ‘Spook’ Ware is usually be found around the restoration and machinery shed at Monto Historical Museum Reserve. He will answer any questions you have about the history of the town and surround district.

As you meander along the quiet roads, be inspired by the creative and imaginative work of local and regional artists who have used the streets and parklands of Monto as their canvas.  Sandstone and metal art sculptures bare the beautiful soul of this country town while the Reservoir Murals reveals the fascinating legend of how Three Moon Creek got its name.  The newly opened Proletariat Gallery is also a great stop for culture enthusiasts with local artists and photographers as well as leading artists regularly exhibiting.

Quaint street side cafes serving old-fashioned food with modern touches, local gift shops selling unique home wares and interesting nurseries with everything you imagine are all great places to soak up the local Monto spirit and meet colourful characters. 

Nevertheless, there is no better way to take in local sights, tastes and sounds than at the shire’s many events.  Feel the weight of a mighty Bass or Saratoga as you pull it into your boat at the Lake Cania Fishing Classic.  Gain an appreciation of the range of complex skills demonstrated by horseriders at a local campdraft.    Experience the real life of a drover, soak up the bush spirit and enjoy a fair dinkum campout at the Drover’s Cattle Drive.  Mix with the locals and relish in the rich, colourful history of the Monto Shire at the biennial Dairy Festival or annual Monto Show.

The outskirts of Monto offer a variety of interesting, never-to-be-repeated experiences that will no doubt make your holiday a memorable one.  Run your fingers through pure, soft of alpaca fleece or feel the stress melt away with a therapeutic massage and listen to the sounds of birds in the distance.  Take to the four-wheel drive and learn how back breaking life in the Australian bush must have been for early European settlers as you walk through the relics at Rawbelle Station.  Brave the steep mountainous terrain on the way to the Mondal Goldfields.  This driving adventure will allow you to discover how early miners used their skills to erect heavy equipment in this isolated area.

Northeast of Monto is the small township of Mungungo. Crowd around the old wooden fireplace in the middle of winter at Waratah Hotel - it makes for very interesting socialising.  Indulge the palette and titillate the tastebuds with a visit to Waratah Vineyard. The product from this relatively new boutique winery compete with the best of Australian wineries and is well worth of a visit. 

Mysterious beings and happenings abound in the charming country town of Mulgildie, found south of Monto along Country Way.  Bunyip Hole, a popular picnic spot near the town is at the centre of a local legend.  It is said that the creek is home to a Bunyip, a strange Australian mythical creature. In the past cattle that drank from the waterhole would disappear, as the waterhole is so deep it was thought to be never ending.  The eerie happenings do not end there.  While you enjoy a great counter lunch at the Mulgildie Hotel, don’t be alarmed if you feel a spooky tap on your shoulder.  It’s probably the infamous Mulgildie Hotel Ghost.

The Monto Shire abounds with picturesque natural attractions that provide the perfect ecological escapes.  The most well known is Cania Gorge National Park.  The park’s towering sandstone cliffs, unexplored caves, imposing gorges and sheltered slopes are teeming with natural wonders are found just 12 kilometres north of Monto.  Dramatic sandstone formations overlook lush forest gullies that shade a peaceful and pristine network of walking trails that beginner and intermediate bushwalkers will fall in love with. 

Be amazed by the abrupt transitions in scenery on the Dragon and Bloodwood Cave walks. Visit Dripping Rock and the Overhang where the cool damp conditions create the perfect environment for rare palms, tree ferns and mosses.  Come face to face with ancient freehand aboriginal paintings on sandstone walls throughout the gorge. Inspect the historical Shamrock goldmine site and the old mining relics.  Create a ‘do-it-yourself’ adventure or use the local expertise of tour operators who can show you the most magnificent and spectacular parts of the gorge.  At the end of a relaxing walk or special gorge journey, enjoy a spot of lunch at the main picnic site beside Three Moon Creek.  Try to spot the elusive platypus that make the creek their home.  To savour the wonders of Cania Gorge for longer stay overnight at one of the caravan and camping parks located within the Gorge. 

The imposing sandstone cliffs of Cania Gorge set a backdrop of stunning scenery of the Monto Shire’s premier fishing and boating destination, Lake Cania located 11 kilometres from the national park.  Get away from it all and enjoy the solitude as you cast your line into the water and hear the whirr of your fishing rod as you snag a Bass, Saratago or Perch.  Fishing permits are required all year round.  Be transported into a world of bliss with a gentle canoe or sail around the lake.  Relax with a picnic or barbeque by the shore or venture up to the lookout and take in the spectacular views of the gorges multicoloured cliffs at sunset while the kangaroos nibble at the grass in front of you.

Four wheel drive is the only way to get to Coominglah and Kalpowar State Forests.  The rough terrain opens up into impressive forests where undiscovered natural gems are around every corner.   The subtropical rainforests in and surrounding Coominglah State Forest create a cooling canopy where experienced bush walkers can get in touch with nature.  In contrast, the stark beauty of impressive eucalypts, huge hoop pins and sturdy iron barks of  Kalpowar State Forest tempts adventurous travellers to discover mystifying natural wonders.  The rugged landscape lays the foundation of a unique untouched environment where close encounters with kangaroo, scrub turkey and goanna are common.   Take a seat and the picnic area and lunch in the wilderness or take advantage of the camping ground and be blanketed by the bright stars at night.   Drive or hike the rugged four wheel drive tracks to find the natural lookouts of Bill’s Window and The Fort and see the forest open up into a sea of green.

For a real get-back-to-nature experience, why not utilise the four-wheel drive tracks that link Cania Gorge National Park to Kroombit Tops National Park. These tracks link the sandstone cliffs covered by lush, dense forest of Cania Gorge to the dry woodlands and cool rainforest pockets of Kroombit Tops.  The varied environments encourage further exploration.

For more information on the Monto Shire, visit the council website www.monto.qld.gov.au.