THE OUTBACK - MOUNT ISA
- INDEX
- DESTINATIONS
- YOUR ITINERARY
- ACCOMMODATION
- THINGS TO DO
- TRANSPORT
- TOURS
- ATTRACTIONS
- WEDDING / HONEYMOON
- CAR HIRE
- DINING OUT
- BACKPACKERS
- INTERNET@CAFES
- CAMERA HIRE
- MAPS and INFO
- SAFE TRAVEL
- CLASSIFIEDS
- LINKS
Described as the Oasis of the Outback, Mount Isa nestles among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges, on the borders of the Leichhardt River. Over the years, Mount Isa has gone from strength to strength, but the wild outback scenery has hardly changed. Come to Mount Isa and let your adventurous spirit out, whether it is fishing, four wheel driving or just enjoying a glorius Outback sunset.
NOTE: THE MAIN ROADS THROUGH THE OUTBACK ARE SEALED. ONCE YOU LEAVE THIS MAIN ROAD, CONDITIONS DEPRECIATE QUICKLY, AND YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF ON A GRAVEL TRACK. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR SAFE DRIVING SECTION.
Mount Isa proudly claims to be the largest city in the world, covering an area the size of Switzerland but with a population of just 25,000 people. In fact, it holds a place in the Guinness Book of Records. The argument is that the city extends for 40,977 square kilometres, and that the road from Mount Isa to Camooweal, a distance of 189 km, is the longest city road in the world.As if that wasn't enough, Mount Isa is also home to the second largest rodeo in the world, held every August.
The town owes its existence to the mineral deposits that lie underneath and around it. The Mount Isa Mine, established in 1924, is the most productive single mine in world history - based on combined production of lead, silver, copper and zinc. The progressive city of Mount Isa is the most important industrial, commercial and administrative centre in inland Queensland, although it has an air of self-confidence and sophistication rare in outback Australia.
During World War II, the Isa was on the convoy route from Townsville to Darwin and acted as an important logistical base. The bombing of Darwin by the Japanese spurred the locals into voluntarily building what is believed to be Australia's only underground hospital. Fortunately, Mount Isa was never attacked. The remains of this hospital can still be found dug into the hill behind the present day Mount Isa Base Hospital. The under ground hospital is one of many sites of the 'historical landmarks walks' that can be obtained from the Riversleigh Fossil Interpretive Centre.
'The Isa', as the locals refer to it, has grown from strength to strength over the years. The harsh but picturesque landscape however, has barely changed, becoming one of the main drawcards for visitors each year. Mount Isa brings out the adventurous spirit in everyone, with ample places to fish, camp, four wheel drive, or just relax and enjoy an outback sunset. The rugged terrain is a four wheel driver's haven, and visitors can explore the region just as the pioneers did many years ago... but in slightly more comfort!
The twin jewels in Mount Isa's crown are the spectacular Lawn Hill Gorge in Boodjamulla National Park, and its neighbour, the world-heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields, both of which are accessed from Mount Isa.
ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO - MOUNT ISA
MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES
OUTBACK AT ISA19 Marian Street, Mount Isa
Phone (07) 4749 1555 or 1300 659 660 / Fax (07) 4743 6296
Outback at Isa is a major tourism precinct in the centre of Mount Isa - a fantastic home base for travellers discovering the Queensland Outback. Don't miss on this fabulous attraction and visit attractions such as the Hard Times Mine, an artificial mine constructed using the mining techniques of the region.
A wide variety of tours are provided to suit everybody's tastes, including breakfast, lunch and dinner tours. After being shown around, you will enjoy a meal in the 'crib' room just like the miners do! And if you choose the Dinner Under Isa, be prepared to be entertained with the stories the miners will tell you while you enjoy a three course meal.
Within Outback at Isa, you can also visit Isa Experience Gallery, a a multi-media gallery illustrating the prehistoric, indigenous, cultural and mining heritage of the Mount Isa region.
RIVERSLEIGH FOSSILS CENTRE
"Only in one or two places on the surface of our planet, in the course of the last three thousand million years, have
conditions been just right to preserve anything like a representative sample of the species living at any particular time.
Those places are the rare treasure houses of palaeontology. Riversleigh is one of them."Sir David Attenborough.
Riversleigh is located 340 kilometres north west of Mount Isa and since 1984 has been part of the Lawn Hill National Park. Fossils discovered at Riversleigh include bones and teeth of extinct prehistoric animals such as lungfish, frogs, crocodiles, huge flightless birds, marsupials, turtles, snakes, lizards, tiny bats, rats and even insects and other arthropods, that go back to as far as 15 or 20 million years. The site was inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1994 as representing a major stage of the earth's evolutionary history, and an outstanding example of ongoing ecological and biological processes.
The Riversleigh Fossils Interpretive Centre was built to showcase the incredible fossils discovered at the Riversleigh Station.
HISTORICAL SITES
ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE11 Barkly Highway, Phone (07) 4743 2800
Since 1964, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Mount Isa Base has been providing medical consultations, primary health care and aeromedical emergency to all the people who live or work in remote and regional areas of Australia. The RFDS Mt Isa Base operates a Visitors Centre which offers self guided tours incorporating a museum, aircraft display and video presentation. The Centre also operates the Outback Shop - a retail shop that sells an extensive range of quality RFDS merchandise and memorabilia. The centre is open Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Closed on weekends, public and school holidays.
SCHOOL OF THE AIR
Abel Smith Parade. Tours available from 9:00am to 10:00am on weekdays.
Queensland's first School of the Air was established in 1960 in Cloncurry and since 1964 has been based in Mount Isa. The School is one of seven in Queensland and provides education by qualified teachers for 280 students from Preschool to year 10, in an 800,000 square kilometres area that extends east from the Northern Territory border to Richmond and south from Burketown to Birdsville.
Tours through the School give visitors a behind the scenes appreciation of the organisation required to run a school without classrooms, where the teacher cannot see the students, nor the students see the teacher or each other.
TENT HOUSE
Grounds of Fourth Avenue Motor Inn, Fourth Avenue. Open from 10:00am to 2:00pm daily, from April 1st to September 30th.
Miners began building this style of low cost 'tent-house' accommodation in 1932. They were planned as reasonable quality low-rent housing and were basically a timber framed house with a canvas roof under a free standing galvanized iron roof. During the 1930's and 40's there were up to 200 tent-houses in Mount Isa, but this is the only surviving example. The tent house contains furnishings and objects of historical interest from Mount Isa.
UNDERGROUND HOSPITAL
Located at the end of Joan Street behind the current Mount Isa Hospital, Phone (07) 4743 9156. Open from April to
September daily, from 10:00am to 14:00pm or other times by appointment. Closed over Christmas and during wet season.
Built in 1942 to protect patients in the event of any Japanese bombing raids, the hospital was excavated by miners working in their spare time and weekends. This large air-raid shelter, was equipped with both male and female facilities, including a maternity/children's ward, a surgical theatre and a delivery room. The hospital has been preserved as a tourist attraction.
NATURAL SITES
LAKE MOONDARRASituated just 20 kilometres north of the city centre of Mount Isa, Lake Moondarra was built by Mount Isa Mines in 1957 on the West Leichhardt Rivert to supply water for Mount Isa business and domestic needs. The name of Moondarra came from a public contest held at the time.
The lake, with its beautiful scenery, is a popular place for locals and tourists to visit. Thanks to its safe, still waters, visitors can swim, water-ski, canoe and sail. Fishermen won't be disappointed either, Lake Moondarra is regularly stocked with Barramundi. Other species include Sooty Grunter, Saratoga, Alligator Gar, Fork-tailed Catfish, Jew, Archerfish, Spangled Perch and Sleepy Cod.
Around the lake, surrounded by large shady trees, you can have a barbecue in one of the scenic picnic areas. They are free of charge and have a woodpile that is restocked regularly. Birdwatchers will also love this place. Ducks, pelicans, cormorants, galahs, etc, can be seen around the lake.
OUTBACK PARK
The Outback Park is a cool oasis that captures visitors' attention and imagination, featuring a central lagoon surrounded by lush native plantings and a Lawn Hill gorge inspired waterfall. Walking trails lead you through the gardens to several sheltered seats where you can relax and listen to the cascading waterfalls or view fish, bird life and aquatic plants from a purpose-built bridge spanning the Outback Park lagoon. An open-air amphitheatre is available for use by the community.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
KALKADOON TRIBAL CENTREMarian Street, Phone (07) 4749 1555, Fax (07) 4743 6296. Open from Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
The Kalkadoon Aborigines were the first inhabitants of what it is know today as Mount Isa, formerly known as the Emu Foot Province. The Kalkadoons were a proud warlike tribe, and for 100 years they fought the white settlers. They finally lost on Battle Mountain in 1884. The Tribal Council and Cultural Keeping Place is a centre for the preservation of their rich culture and heritage. Descendants of the Kalkadoons are available for a chat and a lesson in their culture.
THE CLONCURRY-MOUNT ISA ROAD
One of the highlights of a visit to Mount Isa is the road itself. Unlike most of the surrounding Gulfland, this road is uncharacteristically hilly and dramatic. The Selwyn Ranges, through which this dramatic road winds are one of the oldest exposed land mass on earth. These ancient mountains have been eroded back to their bare bones, and their bedding twists erratically. The Clem Walton Park, along the Cloncurry-Mount Isa road, is a great spot for birdwatching.
CITY LOOKOUT
There's no better place than this lookout to take in a 360-degree panorama of the city and mine area, whether it is during the day or at sunset or even after dark.
TOURS
MINE TOURS To book your tour, please call (07) 4749 1555 or write to the IQTDB, PO Box 356, Mount Isa.
Being the highlight of any visit to Mount Isa, the mine tours start with a surface circuit which includes an excellent film that explains how the mine works and what equipment is used. Mount Isa is one of the few mines where visitors can actually take an underground tour. Be sure to book your tour well in advance as they might be booked out even two months in advance at the height of the season.
CAMPBELL'S TOURS & TRAVEL
19 Marian Street, Phone (07) 4743 2006, Fax (07) 4743 6903.
Campbell's Tours & Travel offer mining surface tours, giving you the opportunity to learn about the mining process through to the end product. A fantastic way to see it all happening!.
But if you'd rather have a better insight into Mount Isa and its surrounding, you can join the Full Day Discovery Tour. Departing at 9.00am join our informative Tour Guide and discover deserted mine sites in the Mount Isa area from the luxury of a four wheel drive vehicle. Morning tea and lunch are included as well as transfer from and to your accommodation.
EVENTS
ISA ROTARY RODEOThis is the second largest rodeo in the world Rodeo. It is the city's biggest annual event, with prize money totalling $200,000, making Mount Isa the Rodeo Capital of Australia. Events include the Friday night Mardi Gras (parade) spectacular through the City centre, bull ride, bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping, calf roping and barrel race.
MEGA DAY OUT
Children will love this family fun day. Activities and rides, most of them free of charge, have been scheduled to make kids enjoy a gorgeous time. Displays, stalls, live bands and much more awaits you at Mount Isa.
INTERNATIONAL MINING CHALLENGE
Teams from all over Australia come to Mount Isa for the International Mining Challenge. Different competitions will give them an opportunity to share the $60,000 prize money. The competitions consist of seven heritage mining practices, each one of them requiring different degrees of physical strength and mental acuity. Spectators will get a wonderful and exciting chance to witness mining history in action.
MOUNT ISA MINING EXPO
The Mount Isa Mining Expo provides an interesting insight into the mining industry in North West Queensland.
For full details of these and all the major events happening in the region, please check out our TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND EVENTS CALENDAR.
ACCOMMODATION - MOUNT ISA
Mount Isa holiday accommodation is plentiful and varied, from modern hotels to traditional pub style lodging. There are numerous motels offering affordable accommodation, as well as a backpackers hostel and several caravan parks and campgrounds. Some of the caravan parks offer ensuite cabins, self contained villas and studio units as well as caravan sites and camping. Scroll down or use the buttons in the right hand column to choose your style of Mount Isa accommodation.
HOTELS
BARKLY HOTEL
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ALL SEASONS VERONA HOTEL
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MOTELS
ABACUS MOTEL
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COPPER GATE MOTEL
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BACKPACKERS HOSTELS
TRAVELLERS HAVEN
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CARAVAN PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS
ARGYLLA CARAVAN PARK AND CABINS
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MOONDARRA CARAVAN PARK
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DINING - MOUNT ISA
THE BUFFS CLUB
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MOUNT ISA IRISH CLUB
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GETTING TO MOUNT ISA
Mount Isa is 10 hours drive from Townsville, and 14 hours from Cairns. Not everybody will be up for the challenge - and this part of the country does provide its share of challenges - but we beleive that the grandeur and vastness of the Northern Outback can be best experienced form behind the wheel of your own vehicle. For the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace, please visit our CAR HIRE page. Simply fill out our obligation free enquiry form, and we will get back to you - usually the next working day - with the best deal on a rental car, four wheel drive or campervan to suit your needs.
Major roads in the region are sealed, but there are a number of unsealed roads. Before travelling, be sure to check
CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS. Care should be taken when travelling on roads within this remote region of the Northern Outback, as numerous ROAD TRAINS ply the highways.
Major roads in the region are sealed, but there are a number of unsealed roads. Before travelling, be sure to check
CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS. Care should be taken when travelling on roads within this remote region of the Northern Outback, as numerous ROAD TRAINS ply the highways.
SAVANNAH AVIATION
Phone (07) 4745 5177 / Fax (07) 4745 5211
Freecall 1800 455 445
www.savannah-aviation.com
Servicing North QLD and the Northern Territory!
Savannah Aviation offers charter flights to many destinations in the Outback and around North Queensland.
* Alice Springs * Tenant Creek * Burketown * Mornington Island * Doomadgee * Lawn Hill * Century Zinc Mine * Mt Isa * Camooweal * Normanton * Karumba * Katherine * Townsville * Cairns * Borroloola * Robinson River * Merlin Mine * Argyle Mine * Katherine * Darwin *
Savannah Aviation are also available for scenic flights over many of the magnificent sights of our Northern Outback and Gulf region.
Qantas fly to Mount Isa from Brisbane at 9:00am from Monday to Saturday, getting to Mount Isa at 11:45am. On Fridays and Sundays there is a service that leaves Brisbane at 3:05pm and arrives at Mount Isa at 5:50pm. The route from Mount Isa to Brisbane runs from Monday to Saturday, departing from Mount Isa at 12:25pm and arriving at Brisbane at 2:30pm. On Fridays and Sundays another flight leaves Mount Isa at 6:30pm, getting to Brisbane at 8:35pm.
Check availability, compare prices and FIND THE BEST DEAL by entering your requested flight details in our simple Flight Finder above.
The Northern Outback is connected to the east coast (and to Alice Springs and Darwin) by a daily Greyhound bus service that runs from Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory through to Townsville. The bus will stop for passengers at most points in between Mount Isa and Townsville, including
Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond, Charters Towers, and a number of other
smaller townships along the way.
The westbound service departs from Townsville at 7:00am and passes through Mount Isa at 7:05pm. The eastbound passes through Mount Isa at 6:50am, getting you into Townsvile at 7:00pm. Drop offs and pickups are at the Isa Centre in 19 Marian Street.
Greyhound also offers a daily service from Brisbane to Cloncurry and Mount Isa, which takes just over 24 hours and passes through a number of interesting southern Queensland outback towns. Departures are southbound from Mount Isa at 6:50am, and northbound from Brisbane at 5:00pm.
Queensland Rail covers the 1,000 kilometres between Townsville and Mount Isa, stopping at most points along the way, including Charters Towers, Richmond, Julia Creek and Cloncurry. The 'Inlander', as it is known, heads west from Townsville every Sunday and Thursday at 12.30pm, arriving in Mount Isa the following day at 9:35am.
The eastbound service departs Mount Isa at 1:30pm Mondays and Fridays, and rolls into Townsville at 10:10am the next day. For rail connections from Townsville, either north to Cairns, or south to Brisbane and beyond, you will find details on our GETTING TO CAIRNS page.
Mount Isa has a 24 hour local taxi service, with a fleet of 33 vehicles, including sedans, 'maxi taxis' and wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Phone tollfree 131 008.
