Monto to Kingaroy: Cinemas and Peanuts
We left the outback edge behind and wound our way through Monto, a tidy little Queensland town with a cinematic surprise. We wandered past the weathered shopfronts and found ourselves drawn to the old Rex Cinema, its faded façade and peeling posters hinting at decades of Friday nights and first dates. It’s a building that makes you wish walls could talk. You just know they’d have stories worth hearing.
A little further down the road, we camped at the RM Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre, surrounded by red soil and tall gums. We thought it fitting to end the day in a place that celebrates bushcraft and outback life, after all our travels. The centre’s small but thoughtfully presented displays gave us a window into the skills and grit that built this part of Queensland.
That night, the Bush Learning Centre put on its free sound and light show, projecting stories of RM Williams and the early bush pioneers onto sculptured panels. Neil stuck it out to the end, soaking up the history and enjoying the atmosphere. Cameron lasted about five minutes before retreating to the motorhome, defeated by an army of mozzies the size of small aircraft. A solid show, according to Neil, “Perhaps a bit too much poetry!”, though next time, insect repellent will be high on the packing list.
On the way south, we stopped in Gayndah, Queensland’s oldest town, and home to the famous Big Orange. We met Gay Dan (yes, really…another one!) and couldn’t resist filming a tongue-in-cheek video for Dan and Dan in a Van.
The next morning, we pointed the motorhome toward Kingaroy, the self-proclaimed peanut capital of Australia. We rolled into the showgrounds and set up camp for a couple of days, ready for a slower pace. The plan was simple: stretch the legs, grab some supplies, maybe check out a local café or two.
Of course, plans don’t always stay simple. Over a drink at the pub, Neil got chatting with a former peanut farmer who leaned in, lowered his voice, and gave him what sounded like classified intel, a secret spot for bulk peanuts at a bargain price. That was all the motivation he needed.
So off we went, following a series of directions that involved “turn left at the old silo” and “if you get to the windmill, you’ve gone too far.” It felt like a wild peanut chase, and in the end, it was. But the mission was eventually a success. Four kilograms of peanuts later, Neil was grinning like a bloke who’d struck gold.
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Monto, Eidsvold and Kingaroy
Travelling the Burnett Highway through Monto, Eidsvold and Kingaroy is classic inland Queensland with country pubs, wide verges, heritage buildings, and locals who always have a story to share. Each town offers something different, from history and learning to unexpected humour and peanuts by the bagful.
How to Get There
Monto sits about 200 km south of Biloela, along the Burnett Highway. From there, it’s an easy 40 km to Eidsvold, then around 230 km further to Kingaroy. All roads are sealed and motorhome-friendly, with plenty of spots to pull over and take in the scenery.
Tours and Access
What we did:
Wandered through Monto’s main street and the abandoned Rex Cinema.
Stayed overnight at Eidsvold’s RM Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre.
Watched the sound and light show (well, Neil did! Cameron’s mozzie tolerance failed early).
Camped for two nights at the Kingaroy Showgrounds.
Followed a pub tip-off on a wild peanut chase, with the mission well and truly accomplished.
Other highlights you might explore:
Visit Monto’s Three Moon Creek for a picnic.
Drop into The Peanut Van in Kingaroy for fresh roasted nuts and local treats. (more expensive than the pub peanut tip-off!)
Check out the Kingaroy Heritage Museum and learn about the town’s peanut-growing past.
Best Time to Visit
April to September brings mild days and cool nights. Summer heat can make you appreciate every patch of shade and cold drink along the way.
Final Thoughts
This stretch from Monto to Kingaroy reminded us why we travel at our own pace. A mix of bush history, local characters, and a few laughs along the way. Proof that the best stories often start with a pub conversation
What’s Nearby
From Kingaroy, the Burnett Highway winds south toward Nanango and the D’Aguilar Range, or west toward Gayndah and citrus country. Either way, there’s more to taste, see, and laugh about.
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Fast Facts
Location: Monto, Eidsvold and Kingaroy, Queensland
Distance: Monto to Kingaroy – 230 km
Traditional Owners: Wakka Wakka People
Access: Sealed via the Burnett Highway
Facilities: Museums, showgrounds camping, cafés, pubs, visitor centres
Walking Track: Local town walks and park trails
Dog Friendly: Yes, all towns welcome pets
Best Time to Visit: April – September
Things That Could Kill You (Probably Won’t)
A semi-serious guide to surviving Australia. Mostly common sense, occasionally luck.
Pub Tips: May lead to backroads, bulk peanuts, or mild confusion. Proceed with curiosity.
Peanut Portions: Four kilos is excessive…unless you ask Neil.
Old Cinemas: Beautiful, nostalgic, and mildly haunting after dark.
Mozzies: Relentless. Carry repellent.
Next stop: Toowoomba. A surprisingly big town perched on the range, where we swapped peanut country for city streets and spent a few days exploring markets, gardens, and backroads. We even braved Queensland city traffic (just) to follow the local self-drive tour.
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