The Ghost Town That Became a Wildlife Sanctuary

There’s a site in South Australia that should be home to 200,000 people according to government plans - instead, you’ll find lions, cheetahs and a range of native animals. This is the story of the failed Monarto new town, and the rise of an animal-focussed alternative.
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Credit and More Information
- The Ghost Cities of Australia - Bolleter
- What’s it All About, Monarto - Andrews, et al
- Monarto’s Contested Landscape, Walker et al
***
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[@Tom-lg9ee]

I spoke to some tourists from the UK a few years back who spent 6 months backpacking around australia, and when they left, they said that they had always felt very focussed on seeing the cool and significant things and doing activities in other countries, without realising how much was going on in their own backyard. This channel is helping me to see some of the great things in Australia to go see and do for myself one day.

[@JulianOShea]

Lovely comment - it’s a good lesson.

[@shadowkyber2510]

I think covid's really emphasing this point too. Most people don't really do touristy stuff where they live but they'll travel somewhere else to do the exact same thing

[@Human_Decoy]

Great comment learning more about the places in my own backyard is great

[@Oscar-hm2ke]

I feel like your channel is the only time I've ever seen stuff like 'Adeldaide is an interesting city with interesting things in it.' Keep it up!

[@JulianOShea]

Adelaide. It’s ok.

[@callantaylor8587]

@@JulianOShea Mate I love Adelaide, that said, I was only there for a weekend for a wedding, so my view is definitely biased.

[@isobelsmith6999]

😅 Even though I know Adelaide is more than just "OK", you've made me laugh out loud!

[@paspax]

Heaps Good.

[@TheEntropyRising]

@@JulianOShea Tourism SA look out someone is gunning for your job

[@EinDose]

I grew up in Adelaide, and Monarto was a relatively common 'all day excursion' location (I remember going there at least three times). But I didn't really know it was special until much later. Adelaide is a little weird like that. If you're from there, the fact everything Australian you see in media is either from Melbourne, Sydney or maybe the Gold Coast kinda tricks you into thinking that Adelaide has nothing notable. That every state must have a Monarto Zoo, if even Adelaide has one.

[@riccardominicozzi8717]

This is so true, I had no idea how significant Monarto was until watching this and I've lived in Adelaide my whole life!

[@user-wb1nz6fq2i]

Monarto Zoo isn't in Adelaide though, is it?. I thought it was in Monarto, South Australia. Are you confusing states and cities? or using them interchangeably? . Forgive my confusion as I am not native to Australia and English is not my first Language, you say that you grew up in Adelaide, so I can assume that you are a native Australian?. Why did you presume that other states would also have a Monarto Zoo, there is only one Monarto to my knowledge. If, by "open range zoo" is what you were meaning, then yes- these other states that you mentioned do indeed have open range Zoos too. Victoria has Weribee Open Range Zoo, NSW has The Western Plains Zoo and Queensland has The Darling Downs Zoo. But Adelaide is still special, it has the world renowned "Mall's Ball's" after all, and you, Cleretic, it has you too.

[@5TRICT9]

@@user-wb1nz6fq2i Monarto zoo is like an hours drive out of Adelaide both Monarto zoo and Adelaide are in south Australia. A 5 second google search could give you this information why do you post stupid questions without first doing your own research? He even says in the video Monarto is located 60km from Adelaide .

[@riccardominicozzi8717]

@@user-wb1nz6fq2i what a strange fella you are. But to answer your question about using states and cities interchangeably, yeah, sometimes we do that considering that each states respective capital usually houses the vast majority of said states population. Some critical thinking on your part would have maybe revealed this to you when he said that Monadto"s population is around 250. I doubt anyone from Monarto has even seen this video.

[@EinDose]

@@user-wb1nz6fq2i It's also very difficult, especially as a kid, to really grasp where an Australian city 'ends'. The suburban sprawl can be kind of a killer like that. It takes an hour to get to different places within Adelaide suburbs, and an hour to get to Monarto Zoo, so mentally Monarto exists 'in Adelaide'.

[@LeeAnneGuerin]

Thanks Julian for the reminders, I grew up near Monato and remember being given all those books in primary school about the new city that would be built 'soon'. I also remember the stress and sadness families experienced by being forced to move.

[@W15HY]

As an Adelaide boy living in the great city of Melbourne like yourself, I really enjoy seeing the content from both of our beautiful states. Keep up the great work and I hope your channel grows the way it deserves with the quality content you continue to produce.

[@JulianOShea]

Awesome, thank you!

[@trevorbailey1486]

Shaun Micalllef, another Adelaide boy who moved to Melbourne, once said at the end of 'The Micallef Programme' (ABC 1999): 'And if you're flying out of Adelaide tonight, may I just say...I don't blame you.'

[@jonhumphries8574]

I am appreciating learning about stuff like this. I love the practical history.

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks, Jon

[@nareshasanala7874]

Thank you for providing stuff which is help knowing it as usage

[@aussietaipan8700]

Thanks Julian, my wife wants us to go to Adelaide at some time in the future, you've just added another destination to my list. Great work mate.

[@JulianOShea]

Have fun!

[@emmasavage9804]

Some of the Monarto plans did end up being used to create the new Leigh Creek Township when the town was moved in the early 80s. It was a fantastic design for a walkable town where there were paths running inbetween cul-de-sacs and some parks and playgrounds with no road access so they were super safe for kids.

[@CaptainSpock1701]

6:24 - One of the few channels that announce "a young white rhino" and shows a white rhino, not a black rhino! (Interesting fact - the name "white" rhino comes from an incorrect translation from the word "Wye" - Afrikaans or "Wijd" - Dutch word which means wide and not white. The black rhino has a pointed mouth and the white (wide) rhino has a ... well, you get it.

[@darrenhunt9049]

I used to live in Murray Bridge and wondered why the focus on Monarto was so important back then while the Bridge was already there just up the road and in need of a good upgrade.

[@phill6983]

I used to live in the Bridge too. It must be looking pretty swanky now with the new Bridge Port Hotel.

[@magik1338]

@@phill6983 and a new waterpark on the way; main street is dead though; but probably like a lot of small towns these days

[@phill6983]

@@magik1338 I live in the UK now and all the main streets are a bit dead here too. I wouldn't hold your breath for the new water park. I've seen countless "masterplans" for Sturt's reserve and they never seem to end up happening. Maybe this time it will.

[@karenmcneill2602]

The things you don't know! I've never heard of this as either a would-be city or a functioning sanctuary. My heart went out to that poor farmer though. To lose your home after so many years, all the memories and the future they had for the land or their lives. Incredibly sad. I am glad that at least part of the land is being used well. Jobs and gorgeous animals. Thank you Julian!

[@bilinasmini3480]

animals.

[@azzajohnson2123]

This happens all the fucking time, the same thing in heaps of farmland areas close to Brisbane and even out in Bendigo in rural victoria. The cunts in charge have no care or worry about people's family history or love of the land they are on, they just go "oh they were paid above market rate for their land".

[@phill6983]

My Dad was one of those farmers! He has never forgiven Don Dunstan and the Labour party.

[@spankidoodles]

I've been in Australia for nearly 30 years and I've discovered so many places I've never heard of before thanks to your channel. Please keep up the great work, Julian. It's very much appreciated!

[@JulianOShea]

Great to hear!

[@benjaminstone4829]

I really appreciate all the historical videos you put in your videos. Really captures the sentiment well and how people viewed stuff then. Thanks heaps 👍

[@KOTW.Adventures]

Thanks Julian. Loving your stuff and plenty of back catalogue to catch up on still.

[@JulianOShea]

Enjoy!

[@theadventuresofzoomandbettie]

This was amazing! As a Victorian I was completely unaware of this zoo - but I love hearing about bold urban development stories and how they did, or didn't work out. So much vision lost. Glad something positive came out of this!! Great work! Have subbed!

[@mohitreddy]

Thank you again for such an interesting view of Aussieland. I've been hooked since your unknown Melb series. And like I expected you've been growing so fast, wishing you the best mate. Keep doing you.

[@ThatguyPurps]

You deserve to be a 1M subs bro.. your content is always great. Tourism SA should sponsor the channel because you promote SA more than any campaign Ive seen the Govt run. Keep up the awesome work.

[@SM1075]

My Great Grandfather had a farm in Monarto and had to sell it, also my Grandmother's Brother-in-law used to own the homestead you see in the Monarto zoo grounds (near the graiffes). I love visiting the zoo, they are currently building a new visitor centre and accommodation.

[@noahmaxwell-leuschner8572]

so top quality vids its amazing! the interviews are what im always suprised at.

[@JulianOShea]

Glad you like them!

[@jacobsmith3010]

I know that you've been killing it on TikTok, but I'm super stoked to see you still making long form content! Awesome stuff as always Julian

[@JulianOShea]

Cheers Jacob!

[@joebloggs6841]

Tiktok is cancer

[@Grace-pz3dv]

I'm pretty sure your channel is the only place I've ever seen statements like 'Adelaide is a fascinating city with interesting things in it.' Continue your good work!

[@thetriumphsprint]

Good video and historical journey. The funds, in part, came from the shelving of another project in the pipeline. That's was the expansion of Main South Rd to create a Nth Sth corridor. The previous governments had purchased much of the properties along the road in the city. Dunston sold off those properties and cancelled the project. Of course we have seen in the last 15 years or so that the government has had to repurchase those properties and the corridor project is will underway.

[@strussy_baka]

you're a very underrated KZbin content creator. Once your video about a bridge popped up on my recommendations, you immediately gained my interest. Keep it up. Subbed.

[@CamelRage279]

I'm disappointed that I never knew this zoo existed! - Thanks for the video or i might still be living in ignorance of such fascinating place!

[@JulianOShea]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BenkArtist]

Don't feel so bad, I've lived in Melbourne my whole life and didn't know about the Montague St bridge, until I watched Julian's video yesterday.

[@meateaw]

@@BenkArtist That bridge is my favourite on my commute. Seeing it still get hit even after they added those barriers still bemuses me.

[@waynepayne9875]

This is so cool we need more places like this to make use of Australia's space

[@zigbrit2357]

Your channel is keeping me going during year 12 in lockdown - thanks so much! Legendary!

[@JulianOShea]

Rock on! Good luck with Year 12!

[@MATTHEW12944]

Well done m8. And I'm also just so happy to see a South Australian you tuber in my feed.

[@xkimopye]

It’s a shame the city didn’t go ahead, there aren’t enough cities in Australia, hence the severe overpopulation in the capital cities. But certainly wonderful there is a park to care for animals.

[@johnsmithington6950]

adelaide does not have severe overpopulation, we have minimal high density suburbs in comparison to melbourne and sydney.

[@xkimopye]

@@johnsmithington6950 I don’t disagree, Adelaide has a sensible population, but Australia as a whole needs more cities, or less population growth.

[@johnsmithington6950]

@@xkimopye eastern states yes, but such is life in thriving first world countries with stability and high life expectancy. look at korea and Japan

[@1mol831]

@@johnsmithington6950 Melbourne and Sydney are underpopulated, when compared to Singapore or Hong Kong.

[@1mol831]

@@xkimopye more cities and population growth, or no population growth and no need for city

[@ulthea]

Very rarely does local content pop into my feed, so hopefully this new subscription will help change that! Thanks for taking the time to make this, love visiting monarto but had no idea of it's history.

[@veryboringname.]

That was interesting! Love how you dug up all that old footage and even went to the state library to see the designs for yourself. The video is strangely in 480p though. It was pretty blurry on my large monitor.

[@JulianOShea]

Glad you liked it! (Fixing the resolution issues in the future.)

[@fyiaustralia9686]

I'm learning lots of unknown things about Australia from your videos. Keep it going please!

[@liamhalford6655]

Absolutely loving the SA content! Super fascinating stuff I've never thought about as I've just always taken it for granted hahah

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks Liam

[@MakhalanyaneMotaung]

I'm very happy the algorithm's started showing me you vids. Top stuff👍🏾keep it up

[@JulianOShea]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@BlackPhoenix210]

The failed city was also a huge win for wild native species! To prepare for the city, they planted a huge amount of native species back into the area, purely for aesthetics. But this ended up becoming a huge unintentional revegetation site, and had become a haven for threatened species like small birds.

[@JulianOShea]

Great info - thanks for sharing.

[@Xeyj]

One of my university lecturers works a lot with Rhino conservation and has had some involvement with the Monarto Sanctuary. Kinda weird timing too, as I just had my last class with him for the year on Wednesday

[@adelaidecrowsrdabest]

Another fascinating video Julian! I had no idea that Monarto was gonna be a city, it would have been good to make SA less Adelaide centric

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks mate - I know I was surprised when I first heard the story.

[@BluePieNinjaTV]

@Nathan Taffijn Canberra was built in the middle of nowhere and now there's 400k people living there

[@tangiers365]

@@BluePieNinjaTV the difference when you are built for a purpose

[@majortom1164]

@@BluePieNinjaTV Canberra was chosen as a halfway location to stop Sydney and Melbourne bitching over who would be capital

[@Henry17701]

Love this type of content man, Very happy I found your Channel and subscribed 👑

[@jasongarufi8187]

Thanks Julian for another great video, I knew the idea of planned cities and why it did not work out but I did not know about this Wildlife Sanctuary.

[@dionstuartbaker7361]

Loving these videos on Adelaide & South Australia, mate. Keep it up. I reckon you should do one on the expansion of Mt Barkers, and maybe even the intentional slowing of development in the Adelaide Hills - interesting stuff.

[@Idea344]

I’ve wanted to learn more about Australia which is where I live right now during lockdown and this channel really helps me learn more about this beautiful country. Thank you for your efforts. 👍👍👍

[@saturnproductions1827]

This channel is amazing I can definitely see it growing into a large channel!

[@JulianOShea]

Hope so! Glad you like it.

[@dartology]

Another great video. Perfect for a cold Sunday morning inside. Thanks Julian!

[@farismisaghi5333]

Your channel is great and your videos are so wholeheartedly made and do not feel fake or staged like some other youtubers I feel you genuinely care about what you're speaking about! Great job mate wishing all the best for you and your channel:))👍

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks, Faris!

[@aussiegooner]

It's great to see your subscriber base growing, Julian. You definitely deserve it!

[@JulianOShea]

I appreciate that!

[@jademaryy]

25 years living in Adelaide and I had no idea about this! Appreciate the video and you've gained a new subscriber 😊

[@JulianOShea]

Welcome aboard!

[@keef78]

Wow! You do some reallly interesting videos mate, I’ve leant heaps about our country watching your vids, thanks Julian, keep up the good work 👍🏻😀

[@UhhMitch]

Loving seeing all these videos covering interesting stuff I've never heard about in my own country. Good stuff!

[@JulianOShea]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@VictorianAerialVision]

Great video Julian, thanks for all your hard work just to entertain us.

[@JulianOShea]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dickwintered]

I was literally talking about this at work the other day! Keep up the amazing work !

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks! Will do!

[@lronbutters5688]

I really enjoy videos like this! I am on the other side of the planet and it’s very interesting and enjoyable to see and learn about the history and social environment of others around the world! Keep up the good work!

[@christianjmoss]

Great video, I love the little known Aussie history angle, subscribed and looking forward to more great stuff!

[@dama301]

I love your work sharing all this interesting history about our country. Keep it up !

[@GSL.Adventures]

Well researched with great delivery. Thanks for providing interesting content.

[@indy-dog2]

Adelaide is amazing! I stayed somewhere with a beautiful beach when I went to a Queen + Adam Lambert concert in 2019, it was so much fun. Quite unfortunate that we didn’t bring our bathers, but me and my 3 siblings worked hard to make one hell of a sandcastle!

[@litttlejee]

I love this channel!!! I look forward to what I will learn next. Thank you!

[@JulianOShea]

So glad! Thanks, Jason.

[@kidheadcase]

Such great videos, mate! Love your work!

[@The8bitNerdd]

Love the effort you put into these mate! Thanks heaps. Great video

[@JulianOShea]

Glad you like them!

[@Albot940]

Found your channel recently and been going through all your vids. This one was one of the most interesting I thought. Keep it up!

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks, will do!

[@darcipeeps]

I’m learning soo much about Australia. I’ve probably doubled my knowledge in the last day watching your videos

[@beautifully_wonderfullymade]

Oh that made me really miss home. I grew up in the Southern suburbs of Adelaide, I now live in Sydney and haven't been able to go home for nearly 2 years (due to COVID-19). I have been to Monarto and it is such a treasure. Adelaide/SA has a lot of secret treasures, so lovely of you to reveal one of them.

[@robotword]

Thank you for introducing me to this. Now I gotta back through and check out this place. Looks incredible

[@JulianOShea]

Have fun!

[@StuntDoubleFPV]

I always look forward to your vids. Very interesting & entertaining with top production quality. I'm sure you will have 100k subs very soon

[@JulianOShea]

Fingers crossed! Glad you’re enjoying them.

[@gava2439]

I love your channel So insightful Keep doing the good work

[@thevdms3616]

Stumbled across your videos by complete accident. And it's been wonderful. Love your videos

[@rachpickle6506]

Subbed! Have been binge watching, and love it!

[@majorblazer9055]

gem of a channel mate!!

[@jakerubino3233]

Monarto is a jewel. Great species breeding programs. Another great vid!

[@JulianOShea]

Indeed - thanks, Jake

[@Lewh_]

As a young Adelaidian, I love seeing this old footage of a young Adelaide. How far it’s come. Yet still see buildings that are still there today. I had no idea about how Monarto came to be and what maybe would have been! Great video!

[@chrisgold79]

A only just found your channel a few days ago and love it. Keep up the great work

[@JulianOShea]

Awesome, thank you!

[@TravelsWithATwist]

Dude! Your channel is blowing up! Almost 40 thousand subs, was at 20k just this week!

[@supershane1960]

Thanks mate, great report. I vaguely remember Monato but hadn’t had cause to think about it for decades. I don’t live in SA anymore but will definitely check it out next time I’m over there…

[@sat21091]

Nice Work Mate, always look forward for your videos.

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks Satpal!

[@pineapplesideways3820]

Keep up the great work you have a amazing future ahead

[@JulianOShea]

Thank you so much!

[@CowboyJojosAdventures]

Great little documentary. Thank you for sharing. Looks like a great place to visit. 👍🏽🙏🏽♥️

[@MrMobii]

Geeze if you hadn't of said Adelaide in the 60's and 70's I would of thought that was fresh footage 😂 Great video mate very interesting

[@jhuny]

So very glad YT put videos from your channel on my YT Home page, so interesting and well presented 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🤩

[@JulianOShea]

Thank you so much!

[@thechilldownunder]

I appreciate this video and your channel. Thankyou

[@rreinehr1]

Was 90% sure this was going to be about the Multi Function Polis or Elizabeth. Keep up the great stories.

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks, Rob!

[@jhuny]

oh god not the Multifunction Polis lol 🤣 I think that was mentioned in geography when I was in high school, and weirdly so because I went to school in the Northern Territory.

[@cooperlarkan4693]

really love your vids, just found your channel!!

[@patrickduke5923]

Good video mate. Never even knew about this :)

[@AustralianLightsAndSirens]

Glad I found this channel! I subscribed!

[@JulianOShea]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@thegreyskymorning]

Excellent content as always Julian, keep it up!!

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks, will do!

[@vivekv27990]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing interesting stuff in SA

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks, mate - really glad you liked it!

[@curlzncrush]

Wow KZbin algorithm has been doing right by me lately. What a great video. Subbed!

[@harryjcain8935]

Keep up the good work, your videos are awesome and very informative!

[@JulianOShea]

Thanks so much, Harry - really appreciate it.

[@c0rse]

Wow this video blew up, well done Julian

[@scottlewisparsons9551]

Thank you for another great video.

[@darrenparkes9805]

One of the highlights of this year as been driving a coach around the Monaro zoo, the cheetahs are spectacular. A very large (huge) area

[@zpecialist]

Love it man, do some more Australian / melbounre history videos.

[@JulianOShea]

More to come!

[@nateh4750]

You're like an Australian Tom Scott. Anyway great stuff, I love the videos

[@SquaredSmith]

I did an overnight trip to Monarto once with my school. It got so cold we ended up on the ABC weather report

[@bennybennerson7728]

This is probably my favourite one of your videos super interesting

[@paulkondoli7297]

Thanks for the memories! I moved to monarto sth. In1966 when i was 4 and went to the local school until it closed in 1973.

[@JakesTechandAdventuring]

Good to see a local video near me! Great job Julian!

[@JulianOShea]

Cool, thanks!

[@EelooYT]

This channel deserves way more subscribers

[@andrewsteele7663]

I really love the content, I am an immigrant and came to Australia about the time it was being developed. And I never heard of the process of developing a city. I had heard of the zoo, but I was not aware of its amazing place in the world of breeding rare species. Thanks, I share all the videos I watch, cheers,

[@TheHammemo]

Thank You Julian, Very Cool!

[@JulianOShea]

Cheers, mate - appreciated it.

[@vicksterhawk]

learning so much from your videos...i had no idea this place existed or the history....

[@PurplePinkRed]

Very interesting as always Julian! It's ironic to see the evolution of migration out of Melbourne to Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo nowadays with COVID and the ability to work remotely. It's almost like people vote with their feet and the infrastructure drags behind trying to catch up. I think Caroline Springs is a modern prime example of what a town version of Monarto could have been if the right considerations were made. A very successful man made town to the point that a train station was made for them specifically. It's pretty much the standard blueprint for most new communities with more affordable housing in the Melbourne's West and the outer South-East (Pakenham and Cranbourne).

[@hopolapopola]

well, caroline springs nowadays is just caught up in the suburban sprawl jutting from melbourne out towards towns like melton, werribee etc so maybe if monarto had taken off and adelaide had had more growth, the suburban sprawl would've connected it too

[@wnh79]

Love your work Julian