Explore Australia

Monto

Population 1155

Monto, one of the most recent towns in the Capricorn region, was settled in 1924. It is the centre of a rich dairy and beef cattle district and is set picturesquely on a plateau surrounded by rolling hills.

Visitor Information

Touch screen in Newton St; or council offices, 51A Newton St, (07) 4166 9999

www.northburnett.qld.gov.au/

Nearby national parks

  • Cania Gorge National Park

    Cania Gorge, a dramatic landscape of gullies, caves and spectacular 70-metre-high sandstone cliffs, is the centrepiece of this national park...more

  • Isla Gorge National Park

    Isla Gorge National Park, in Queensland’s Central Highlands, lies at the southern end of the Dawson Range and features rugged...more

  • Great Sandy National Park

    Great Sandy National Park encompasses World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world; nearby Woody Island; and...more

Nearby towns

  • Miriam Vale

    Miriam Vale lies south-east of Gladstone, in the hinterland of the 'Discovery Coast'. The town is renowned for its charming hospitality,...more

  • Biloela

    This thriving town in the fertile Callide Valley is part of the Banana Shire, but do not expect to find any bananas grown here. The area was...more

  • Mundubbera

    Mundubbera is on the banks of the Burnett River and is a major citrus-growing area in Queensland. Fruit pickers flock to the town in the...more

In Town

Monto History Centre: local history displays and videos; closed Sat–Sun; Cnr Kelvin and Lister sts. Historical and Cultural Complex: variety of historic artefacts and a mineral display; Flinders St.

Nearby

Cania Gorge National Park Part of Queensland's sandstone belt, this park has cliffs, gorges and caves of spectacular colours. The freehand Aboriginal art around the park is a reminder of the area's ancient heritage. There are over 10 walks of varying length and difficulty. See the park's goldmining history on the 1.2 km return Shamrock Mine track or experience breathtaking park views from the Giant's Chair Lookout, reached on the longer Fern Tree Pool and Giant's Chair circuit. (07) 4167 8162; 25 km NW.Mungungo: small town with boutique Waratah Winery; 13 km N. Lake Cania: excellent spot for watersports, fishing (permit required) and walking to lookout. Annual Lake Cania Fishing Classic is held here every Mar; 11 km N via Cania Gorge Picnic Area. Kalpower State Forest: hoop pine and rainforest vegetation. 4WD or walk rugged tracks to scenic lookouts; 40 km NE. Wuruma Dam: swimming, sailing and waterskiing; 50 km S.

Fishing spots near town

Cania Dam 28 km

Located close to Monto, Cania Dam holds yellowbelly, silver perch and Australian bass to 3 kg. Cania’s big drawcard though is the saratoga. Initially stocked with only 200 individuals, the saratoga have bred to a... Find out more


Wuruma Dam 38 km

Situated 35 km north of Eidsvold, this 18 sq km little-known water contains Australian bass, barramundi, saratoga, silver perch, yellowbelly and sleepy cod. A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required. There is a large... Find out more


Lake Monduran 72 km

Lake Monduran is near Gin Gin, a four-hour drive north of Brisbane on the Bruce Highway. Although it appears narrow, it has a surface area of 53 sq km and a holding capacity of 585 900 ML of water, which is about 1.6... Find out more


Lake Callide 74 km

Built on upper Callide Creek, a Dawson River tributary 20 km east of Biloela (pronounced bilo-wela), this lake supplies cooling waters for the nearby coal-burning power station that’s part of the Boyne Island... Find out more


Lake Awoonga 87 km

The jewel in the crown of the Bass to Barra Trail, Lake Awoonga is Queensland’s premier barramundi impoundment. Clean waters, the result of a largely undisturbed watershed, contain barramundi, mangrove jack,... Find out more


Dawson River 124 km

Moura is a two-hour drive west of Gladstone. Better known for its prime cattle production and huge coalmines, the township and the nearby Dawson River is not exactly number one on most people’s list  of top... Find out more


Lake Boondooma 141 km

Situated on the Boyne River to the west of Bjelke Petersen Dam, this lake is about 15 km from Proston. Since its construction in 1983, a variety of species have been stocked here. Australian bass, silver perch and... Find out more


Lake Lenthall 154 km

Anyone who has read about the barramundi boom in Queensland’s impoundments will know about lakes like Awoonga, Faust and Callide. But there are many, less- known waters that also offer excellent fishing, and one of... Find out more


Fitzroy River 175 km

Great fishing rivers flow through some of our best known cities: the Yarra in Melbourne, the Swan in Perth and the Derwent in Hobart, to name a few. One of the best city rivers I have come across is the Fitzroy, which... Find out more


Bjelke Petersen Dam 186 km

Lake Barambah is a 22 sq km water about 15 km south-east of Murgon. It is regarded as one of the state’s best waters for big bass, but also has yellowbelly, silver perch and saratoga. It is relatively shallow for a... Find out more


Eco-friendly activities around town

Caving - Rockhampton 176 km

Escape the sunshine for a while with an hourlong, eco-certified tour of Capricorn Caves, 23 kilometres north of Rockhampton. These caves feature intricately sculpted formations and the tour includes an optional... Find out more


Dolphin tours around Hervey Bay 183 km

All year-round Blue Dolphin Marine Tours runs eco-tours to see the two species of dolphin in the area – the bottlenose, and the rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. You have a 95 per cent chance of seeing the... Find out more


Hiking on Fraser Island 214 km

Fraser Island, with its 1653 square kilometres encompassing 200-metre-high sand dunes, 80 beautiful lakes and pockets of rainforest, is a delight for those prepared to put on a pack. Hikers can camp beside some of the... Find out more


Golf courses around town

Capricorn Resort (Championship course) 204 km

The late 1980s and early ’90s were days of a course building boom in Queensland, on the Gold Coast especially. But one developer, the Japan-based Iwasaki Group, chose a relatively isolated location near Yeppoon,... Find out more


Campsites around town

Cania Gorge Tourist Retreat 21 km

At the entrance to the national park in a sandstone gorge, this excellent eco-friendly tourist park packed with top-notch facilities has 40 powered sites, 20 unpowered sites and a modern amenities... Find out more


Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park 28 km

The friendly and welcoming folks at this tourist park offer a high standard of accommodation and facilities for the whole family. Campers have the option of powered and unpowered sites, or you can upgrade to a cabin or... Find out more


Kalpowar camping and day-use area 37 km

This campground beside Crane Creek has plenty of grassy sites for camping beside your car, and also accommodates those with caravans and trailers. To get there from Monto, travel 37 km north-east on the... Find out more


Wuruma Dam camping area 40 km

Well stocked with perch, bass and saratoga, Wuruma Dam is an angler’s paradise. The dam is also popular for a range of watersports: canoeing, sailing, swimming and waterskiing. The area is 48 km north-west of... Find out more


Old Forestry Camp camping area 55 km

The site of a former Forestry barracks, you can bush camp along the ridge among the bunya pines. There are no facilities besides a picnic platform, so campers must be totally self-sufficient. Scenic drives through the... Find out more


Tolderodden Conservation Park bush camping 56 km

This grassy site beside the river has good accessibility for all types of vehicles. Tank water is available but should be boiled or treated before drinking. Bring your own firewood, as collecting wood in the park is not... Find out more


The Wall 58 km

This grassy clearing on the south bank of Annie Creek can be reached on the 4WD loop road near the bomber crash site. There is a maximum of 20 campers allowed, but no defined sites and no facilities.... Find out more


The Barracks camping area 58 km

The Barracks is 4 km south of the Tableland Road entrance. There is a maximum of 10 campers permitted at the site; no facilities are provided. While in the area, visit the lookout for excellent views over the Boyne... Find out more


Lake Monduran Holiday Park 74 km

A fantastic spot for big barramundi fishing, Lake Monduran is 20 km north-west of Gin Gin and 4.5 km east of the Bruce Hwy. The campground, on Claude Wharton Dr, has free wireless internet, laundry facilities, a kiosk,... Find out more


Lake Awoonga Caravan Park 90 km

Catching huge barramundi is easy at Lake Awoonga – or so the locals say. If you fancy yourself as an angler, this caravan park provides a comfortable base. Set on the lake’s edge, there are plenty of bonus... Find out more


Caravan parks around town

Lake Monduran Holiday Park 74 km

Lake Monduran is a stocked impoundment, very popular with anglers; a fishing permit, available at the kiosk, is required. The park has good facilities and is a great place for an overnight stay, easily accessible from... Find out more


Lake Awoonga Caravan Park 90 km

A picturesque park overlooking Lake Awoonga, this spot is 9 km from the Bruce Highway along a sealed road. The dam is stocked with barramundi, making it a popular fishing destination. There is a well-stocked shop with a... Find out more


BIG4 Boyne River Tourist Park 98 km

This is a very good park with river and highway frontage. It has very good amenities and nice grassy areas all the way to the river. It is a very convenient overnight stop for those travelling the Bruce Highway or a good... Find out more


Tannum Beach Caravan Village 104 km

Close to Gladstone and across the road from the beach, this spotless park with good facilities is ideal for a few days or convenient for an overnight stay. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more


Seventeen Seventy Camping Ground 110 km

It is hard to resist the excellent, absolute beachfront location of this council-owned park. Here in a subtropical hideaway it is almost possible to tie the dinghy up to the caravan. The popular park has good basic... Find out more


BIG4 Barney Beach 113 km

This is a quality park with a good range of facilities and spotless amenities. It is in a quiet area away from the centre of town and just 80 metres from the beach. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more


BIG4 Cane Village Holiday Park 121 km

This is a very good quality park on the western approach to the city, in a convenient location for an overnight stay and excellent for a longer visit. The Sugarland shopping centre is close by. Bookings are required in... Find out more


Glenlodge Caravan Village 126 km

This owner-operated park is 6 km south of the town centre and easily accessible, ideal for an overnight stay or as a base for a few days exploring the region. It has very good amenities. Bookings are required in peak... Find out more


Bargara Beach Caravan Park 135 km

This large, quality beachside tourist park is in a popular holiday destination. Snorkelling, diving and fishing are popular in the surrounding waters. Bargara is a small coastal community not far from Bundaberg. The Mon... Find out more


Hotels, motels & B&Bs around town

Cania Gorge Caravan and Tourist Park

Accommodation here ranges from campsites without power to self-contained cabins, one- and two-bedroom villas, and a bunkhouse. Several camp kitchens are located throughout the park’s 9 hectares of shady lawns and... Find out more


Eco-friendly places to stay around town

Emeraldene Inn and Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay 178 km

The 14 hotel-style rooms here, including two disabled rooms, have solar hot water and an envirocycle treatment system so that all sewage and greywater is treated and reused on site. The lodge has a solid environmental... Find out more


Wilson Island 191 km

Only six couples are allowed at a time on this tiny 2-hectare coral cay, staying in minimal-impact luxury tents with wooden floors. All power is provided by solar power and batteries, and the eco-accredited resort uses... Find out more


Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island 202 km

With 1000 beds, and a choice of pools, restaurants and bars, this is the largest accommodation place mentioned in this book, but it has a longstanding reputation as being a positive role model for large ecotourism... Find out more


Rest areas around town

Granite Creek Rest Area 62 km

63 km N of Gin Gin (R) or 36 km S of Miriam Vale (L) Large area just off the highway around some large trees. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S24 36.923 E151 40.098... Find out more


Bororen Park Area 79 km

Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S24 14.579 E151 29.756  ... Find out more


Gin Gin Rest Area 84 km

2 km N of Gin Gin (R) or 97 km S of Miriam Vale (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S24 58.456 E151 56.760... Find out more


Boyne River Rest Area 97 km

31 km N of Bororen (L) or 1 km S of Benaraby (R) Large area just off the highway on the banks of the Boyne River. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S24 00.650 E151 20.433... Find out more


Calliope River Rest Area 100 km

21 km N of Benaraby (L) or 30 km S of Mount Larcom (R) Large area located well off the highway on the banks of the river. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S23 57.675 E151 09.142... Find out more


Sharon Rest Area 113 km

35 km E of Gin Gin (R) or 16 km W of Bundaberg (L) Small area just off the road to Bundaberg. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S24 53.001 E152 14.582... Find out more


Wallum Rest Area 114 km

26 km N of Childers (L) or 28 km SW of Bundaberg (R) Large area just off the road to Bundaberg. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S25 03.584 E152 13.869... Find out more


Mount Larcom Park Area 118 km

North side of town Parking area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S23 48.653 E150 58.802... Find out more


Apple Tree Creek Rest Area 119 km

6 km N of Childers (L) or 51 km S of Gin Gin (R) Large area just off the highway on the south side of the village. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S25 13.141 E152 14.292... Find out more


What's on around town

Country Craft Market: Mulgildie Hall; 1st Sun every month.

Campdraft: Mar.

Fishing Classic: Mar.

Horseracing: Mar.

Monto Show: Apr.

Monto Festival: June.

Annual Cattle Drive and Trail Ride: Aug.

Monto Garden Expo: Oct.

comments powered by Disqus