MONTO Monto is a service town that is encounted when heading north from southern regions and heading to Rockhampton and beyond. Monto is an interesting small town and has a number of quirky features. Monto services a mostly rich rural community. That said Monto is a somewhat isolated town. The township of Monto was not formally established until 1924. With dwindling gold reserves, Monto turned its economy towards farming and logging, two of the region's major industries today. Deposits of thermal coal and limestone have been discovered in the shire. Europeans first 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. Tourism is also a major industry in the region. Besides being a major highway town, the chief local attraction is the Cania Gorge, 20 kilometres  north of town. Coal, gas and a number of minerals are currently being mined in the area. The Monto Hotels are 100 year plus classic Old’s pubs that will have appeal to the traveller. These are quite nice pubs. The Monto Congregational Churches are all modern. The xxx is a bit more traditional. The Monto Museum is on the northern approach to the town, but is unsigned within the township or even greater Monto. The murals on the water towers are a highlight, but again there is no traditional tourism aspect. The Monto War Memorial is at the southern of the main street and is a modern acknowledgement. Monto has a derelict feel, but being around the place there is an urge to stay awhile. Heritage diary