Big 4 Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park | Family Friendly Camping THE REVIEW

Camping in Cania Gorge

Cania Gorge is approximately 6 and a half hours drive north of Brisbane, inland from Bundaberg. There are lots of 4WD and bush walking tracks in and around the gorge and throughout the nearby Kroombit Tops National Park. Most of the off-roading we did was simply dirt track and we didn’t engage 4WD the entire trip, but there were tracks for the more adventurous.

The wildlife throughout the area was amazing—as we drove the dirt tracks, we came across a mummy emu and her baby and wedge-tail eagles feeding on road-kill. Driving amongst the many different breeds of cattle kept us entertained.

We drove through the National Park to the crash site of ‘Beautiful Betsy’, a WWII US bomber that crashed in 1945 killing eight men. The plane was lost for 49 years, until a local farmer was burning off scrub and came across it in 1994. The wreckage is still in its original position, with a track that leads you through the crash site and past engines, propellers, radio equipment and other bits of wreckage. This was an amazing experience.

The Big 4 Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park was very clean and the staff were friendly. There is a small store at the park with essentials, but, as always, prices can be on the high side for this convenience. There is an IGA in the nearby town of Monto, only about 20 minutes’ drive from the Big 4. There are also souvenirs in Monto too.

There was plenty to do at the park, but, with the heat wave, most people just hung out at the water park. This area had three swimming pools and a huge kids’ area that is perfect for toddlers up to the more adventurous bigger kids. The big water slide is a bit hit with all of the kids and even some adults.

Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park holds movie nights, wild bird feeding, wine tasting and many more activities. After dark, you could spot the bettongs and oversized toads and, in the early morning, the kangaroos, king parrots and lorikeets were feeding just metres from us as we had our breakfast. On the down side, I did find something that wakes up earlier than my toddler—the cockatoos were up at the crack of dawn every day and they wanted everyone to know they were there! The river that runs through the edge of the park was extremely low when we stayed, but we did see some people fishing further up the river.

Lake Cania was great, with stone banks instead of mud and very clean water. Everyone had fun kayaking around while I sat under one of the shady trees that surrounded the dam and relaxed. The lawns in the vicinity were green, thanks to the sprinklers, and the barbeque area was clean. Overall, the dam area was really well looked after. There was plenty of space to spread out and plenty of room for lots of people to enjoy themselves in their own space. I wish we’d spent more time there, but there were just so many other things to do!

The Big 4 Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park has two jumping pillows, which could only be used before about 9am as there was absolutely no shade over them and the kids’ feet couldn’t take the heat. There was also a circus on over the Christmas holidays when we stayed (with noisy monkeys who loved to bang their cages early morning) and the kids enjoyed the show. The park managers seem to organise activities well.

Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park has several accommodation options, with cabins, powered and unpowered sites. All the sites were reasonably close to the amenities, which were always clean. We stayed on a powered site and found that most sites had shade.

There was a sign up in the tourist park stating ‘no dogs’, but the Big 4 website does say that small dogs are allowed to stay by arrangement. I’d recommend calling first if considering taking a pooch.

We had a brilliant time and would definitely go back to Big 4 Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park! We also felt that they had by far the best water park we’ve been to at a Big 4 to date.

Facilities at Big 4 Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park

• Accommodation options –
  • 1 bedroom villas
  • 2 bedroom villas
  • Ensuite cabins
  • Ensuite unit 8
  • Ensuite unit 9
  • Standard cabins
  • Bunkhouse
  • Hillside villas
  • Powered or Unpowered sites for caravans or tents
• Events room
• Jumping pillows
• Pools and Waterpark
• Tennis court
• Open fires
• Restaurant
• 9 hole golf course
• Tennis court

Activities to enjoy at Big 4 Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park

• Bird feeding
• Outdoor movies
• Bettongs
• Bushwalks
• Fishing
• Wine tasting
• Self 4WD trips
• Kayaks

How to make the most of your stay at Big 4 Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park

• There are a variety of bushwalks in the area, suited to all levels of fitness. Take the time to see the abundant fauna and flora that the region has to offer.
• Visit the crash site and the war grave of the ‘Beautiful Betsy’ within the Kroombit Tops National Park.
• Complimentary morning tea is served on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am (except at Christmas, Easter and in school holidays).
• Camp Oven Dinner is served every Monday evening at 6:30pm for a small cost. Bookings required.
• Only small lap dogs owned by travellers touring Australia may be permitted in the Park.  Only in non-peak periods and only on designated powered sites in the Starlight area of the Park. Approval must be obtained at time of booking. A daily fee applies if your dog is accepted.

Big 4 Cania Gorge Caravan & Tourist Park is located on Phil Marshall Drive in Monto.

Please visit their website for more information – http://www.caniagorge.com.au/index.asp

Thanks to Jo for this camp site review!

Take a look at the Brisbane Kids list of Your Favourite Camping Spots for lots more recommended family camp locations to explore, like Freshwater Camping Area in Cooloola. We will have many more campsite reviews coming in the very near future.