Monto
Monto is the youngest town in the North Burnett, being established in 1924. This is in contrast with the district's ancient geological features which include the sandstone cliffs of Cania Gorge, a 200 million year old coral reef and rich mining deposits of cooper, gold and coal.
The hard rich soil produces lush crops such as grain, sunflower, navy beans and lucerne. The Mulgildie Plateau is peanut country. Monto is an agricultural centre with cattle, piggeries and dairies. Take the time to come off the highway to visit the quaint town centre, with good coffee, well stocked supermarkets and the best pies at Picky's Pies and Pastries.
Just south of Monto, lookout for the Bunyip sculpture at Mulgildie. The legendary Bunyip hole is about 10 minutes away and the statue immortalises the stories of the Bunyip which date back to the beginnings of time. The town celebrates the legends, with a Bunyip Festival in November every year.
Spectacular sandstone cliffs similar to Carnarvon, lush rainforest with tree ferns and piccabeen palms growing along watercourses, dry gorges and dry open eucalypt woodland make Cania Gorge National Park well worth a visit.
The turnoff to the Park is 12 kilometres north of Monto on the Burnett Highway, then 14 kilometres through Moonford township to the Gorge. The road is bitumen all the way to Lake Cania. Camping is not allowed, however there are two privately run accommodation establishments on the way in to Lake Cania. Take a picnic and have a stopover on the banks of Three Moon Creek – you may be lucky enough to see a platypus! Lake Cania is a water storage facility designed with recreation in mind and is popular for swimming, fishing and watersports. It has been well stocked with Bass, Yellowbelly and Silver Perch and is well known for Saratoga catches. The Burnett Highway (A3) continues north to Cania Gorge, Biloela and on to Rockhampton and there is a scenic route through to the Bruce Highway.
