Monto - Places to See

Cania Gorge National Park
The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency worksheetobserves that Cania Gorge National Park 'conserves a spectacular landscape of prominent sandstone cliffs, caves, eucalypt forest and dry rainforest on sheltered slopes. While side gullies and creeks provide moist, cool conditions for ferns and mosses, above [the] 70-metre cliffs is a dry, rugged expanse of open woodland typical of central Queensland�s extensive sandstone belt. The park's 3000 hectares also provide an important habitat for wildlife.'

To access the Park, follow the Burnett Highway from Monto in the direction of Biloela. After 12 km take the signposted turnoff on the right onto a bitumen road that passes through Moonford. It is 14 km from the highway to the park entrance. This bitumen road passes a privately run caravan/camping area (located just outside the Park's southern boundary - tel: 07 4167 8110), and continues through the Park, past a carpark - from whence walking tracks depart - on past the picnic area - where there are pit toilets, a sheltered picnic area, drinking water and more walking tracks - then continues north past another privately owned caravan/camping area 7 km north of the picnic area and just outside the Park's north-west boundary, tel: (07) 4167 8188. Not far beyond this is a turnoff from the main road which leads to another parking area - the start of a walk to the Shamrock mine site. The main road continues north, concluding on the shores of Lake Cania, which lies outside of the Park. Camping is not possible within the national park. Accommodation, petrol and supplies are available in Monto.

There are seven walking tracks in the Park. Two commence at the southern carpark, which is 900 metres south of the picnic area. The Big Foot walk (1 km return) is named after a large brown depiction of a four-toed foot which can be seen on the white sandstone cliff. The longer Fern Tree Pool and Giant�s Chair circuit (5.6 km) crosses back and forth across Doctor's Gully, passing Fern Tree Pool after 2.5 km (do not attempt to drink the water), then ascending for a further 2.2 km to Giant's Chair Lookout. A steep track and set of steps lead back to the carpark.

Four tracks depart from the picnic area. The Picnic Area circuit (300 metres) follows Three Moon Creek, affording views of the sandstone cliffs and the woodland environs. This walk can be started from either end of the picnic area.

The Dripping Rock/Overhang walk (3.2 km return) is an easy jaunt which commences at the southern end of the picnic area. It crosses Three Moon Creek, passing through woodland and dry rainforest to Dripping Rock, where mosses and ferns flourish owing to the water that seeps from the sandstone here. Walkers can return at this point, or continue past eroded caverns to The Overhang, formed by the erosion at the base of a sandstone cliff.

The Dragon Cave/Bloodwood Cave (2.6 km return) walk initially follows the Dripping Rock track. However, 400 metres along the path turn right, crossing the bridge over Russell Gully. The track ascends to a cliff face then a side track veers north to Dragon Cave, named after a black pattern on a white sandstone wall which some regard as resembling a dragon. The southern branch of the track leads, after another 400 metres, to Bloodwood Cave, named after the visible roots of a bloodwood tree.

The Two Storey Cave circuit (1.3 km) is a pleasant amble which starts opposite the picnic area. Take the path to the left which ascends to some sandstone monoliths. A 20-metre side track leads to King Orchid Crevice where silver elkhorns and king orchids grow in abundance. Two Storey Cave is inhabited by many bats and visitors are asked no to disturb them.

The Park's final walking track leads from the northernmost Parking Area (situated along a signposted road which branches off the main thoroughfare about 1 km south of Lake Cania). From the parking area a 1.4-km return track leads to the Shamrock Mine which retains remnants of the days when it was the site of a 19th-century gold mine, including an old battery, mullock heaps, mine shafts and processing sheds. No goldmining is permitted here.

For further information check out:http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/cania-gorge/index.html

Lake Cania/Cania Dam
As mentioned in the previous entry, the road through the National Park concludes by Cania Dam which covers 630 hectares. The waters are held back by a dam wall 340 metres long and 47 metres high. There are points where the cliffs of the area tower dramatically above the dam. The highlight of any visit to the dam is the 3.9-km (return) climb to Castle Mountain from the Cania Dam wall. The walk offers superb views over the dam and the surrounding mountains. Weathering has carved caves and holes into the sandstone of Castle Mountain and there is a prominent feature known as the 'elephant's head'. There is a picnic and recreation area.