Welcome to Mount Isa

WELCOME TO Mount Isa

Prospector John Campbell Miles started the greatest adventure of all when he stumbled across a silver-lead-zinc outcrop by the banks of the Leichhardt River in 1923. Five hundred claims were soon lodged and this became Australia’s first company town, with one in five working for the mine.

The city is thought to be named after John Cambell Miles’ sister Isabella or it may be a corruption of Mount Ida, a Western Australian goldfield. The traditional owners of the region are the Kalkadoon people who once subsisted on hunting and gathering local wildlife and vegetation.

Today, Mount Isa is the second largest city in Australia (geographically) covering a massive 43,310 square kms. The small town of Camooweal is one of its suburbs even though it lies 188kms west of the city. This multicultural town has residents from some 50 ethnic backgrounds and boasts a population of approximately 21,000 people.

The area around Camooweal, a former droving centre, is teeming with 52 species of birdlife close to the Georgina River and the Camooweal Caves National Park.

Dominated by a 270m exhaust stack, ‘The Isa’ is home to one of the largest mining ventures in Australia. Over the years, the area has unearthed copious amounts of minerals which include lead, silver, zinc and copper. Be sure to check out the Hard Times Mine Tour which replicates the experience of underground mining in Mount Isa.

Lake Moondarra, located 15kms from Mount Isa, is the city’s main water supply and is surrounded by picturesque picnic and barbeque areas which the whole family can enjoy. The lake is also home to many species of native birds and plants and is open for swimming, skiing and fishing all year round. Lake Moondarra has something to offer all lovers of the great outdoors.

Best known for its modern mining operations, Mount Isa also offers a range of things to see and do.

Fishing enthusiasts, birdwatchers and adventurers can all get their fill in and around Queensland’s largest outback town.

Emu Bay, Credit: Isaac Forman, Serio

G’day, and welcome to Mount Isa, the Oasis of the Outback!

A city rich in history and culture and your starting point for true Outback adventures, Mount Isa is located in north-west Queensland on the banks of the Leichhardt River, nestled among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges, on the traditional lands of the Kalkadoon and Indjilandji people. With a population of approximately 21,000, it is the major service centre for the area and is a gleaming mirage on the horizon for travellers from all directions.

Mount Isa is a bustling melting pot of culture and industry, being home to one of the most productive single mines, as well as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest rodeo.

Things to See & Do

LAKE MOONDARRA

Keen to cast a line and do some fishing? Pit your skills against barramundi, sooty grunter, sleepy cod and red claw crayfish at Lake Moondarra. Enjoy water skiing and fishing with barbeque facilities.

MOUNT ISA UNDERGROUND HOSPITAL AND BETH ANDERSON MUSEUM

Take a step back in time at the Mount Isa Underground Hospital. Peruse fascinating memorabilia at the musuem. Now housing the Mount Isa Tent House.

OUTBACK AT ISA

Visitor Information Centre, Hard Times Mine

Underground Tours, Isa Experience Gallery and Riversleigh Fossil Centre. Open 8:30am to 4:30pm, 7 days.

CITY LOOKOUT

The city lookout boasts an amazing 360-degree panorama of the city and a global signpost. Hilary Street Lookout.

MOUNT ISA SCHOOL OF AIR

Take a tour of the school which provides distant education to children in remote areas via 30-minute class sessions over radio. Located at Abel Smith Parade, Mount Isa.

It’s grown from strength to strength over the years, but the picturesque landscape has barely changed, becoming one of the main drawcards for visitors each year. Mount Isa has ample places to fish, camp or 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 of the region did many years ago.

Experience Mount Isa’s mining past on an underground tour in the Hard Times Mine, travel back into an ancient past in the Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre, or enjoy the most amazing Outback sunsets at one of the lookouts.

Visit Lake Moondarra for boating, fishing or water-skiing, join a guided bus tour, or head out for 4WD adventures and find the best Outback camping spots.

Come and see the other side of Queensland!

Street, City

JOHN CAMPBELL MILES MEMORIAL CLOCK TOWER

Marian

Centre. Outback at Isa, Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Lake Moondara, Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Overlanders Way, Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland

Mayor Danielle Slade Mount Isa City Council

Bigger Than Bull Dust

The Isa Rodeo offers nothing short of a program full of festivities including live entertainment, markets and non-stop rodeo events. In August 2007, after 47 years, the event said goodbye to Kalkadoon Park and relocated to the multi-million dollar Buchanan Park complex.

The venue is a purpose built facility featuring a rectangular arena in line with the United States.

The state of the art facilities can accommodate more than 5,500 people and includes a two-tier undercover grandstand, shaded grass viewing areas, corporate boxes and a conference room. Buchanan Park is a world class arena for a world class rodeo.

With no ground, no stock and no experience, the Rotary Club established a rodeo organising committee and began the task of staging the first ever rodeo in 1959 with prize money totalling 500 pounds. Little did they know what they had created.

Today, the combined Rotary Clubs of Mount Isa continue to present the Isa Rodeo. The event attracts the best local and overseas competitors and promises prestige and prize money in excess of $200,000.

The Isa Rodeo is more than just another event. The community plays an essential role in the festival from the dedication of the Rotary members to the enthusiasm of the Mount Isa community. It is this common enthusiasm that makes the Isa Rodeo a truly unique and great festival. The Isa Rodeo occurs every August, so if you’re in Mount Isa at the time be sure to experience it.

The first ever rodeo, The Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo, was the result of an ambitious young Rotary Club and its vision to put Mount Isa on the map.

Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo, Buchanan Park, QLD, Credit: Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Inc

Credit: Stephen Mowbray

Rope and Tie, Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo, Credit: Stephen Mowbray

Culture & Heritage

The Mount Isa region boasts plenty of activities to explore its rich culture and heritage.

Mount Isa was home to one of the fiercest Aboriginal groups, the Kalkadoons. To learn more about them and their culture, visit the Kalkadoon Tribal Centre and Culture-Keeping Place next door to Outback at Isa on Marian Street.

Discover the area’s earliest inhabitants at the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Field in the southern part of Boodjamulla National Park, which is 250kms north-west of Mount Isa. The site is inaccessible at times during the summer months (due to rain), but you can drive there from April to October on a sealed road with a short stretch over a regularly maintained dirt road. Those with a 4x4 vehicle can get there in three to four hours on a dirt road. Check road conditions before setting out to make sure the road is accessible.

The Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre, located at Outback at Isa (19 Marian Street), brings to life the unique animals that once inhabited this unique part of Australia. The centre is open 8.30am to 4:30pm daily, except for New Year's Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday.

Visit the Isa Experience Gallery with its fascinating displays of Indigenous, settlement and mining history that are so much a part of Mount Isa. The continuously running audio-visual in the Mount Isa Mines Theatrette tells the history of Mount Isa.

For something altogether different, be sure to experience the enthralling Hard Times Mine Underground Tour. The tour provides visitors with the opportunity to go deep into a mine via the Alimak Cage. Meanwhile a tour guide narrates stories of the challenges and triumphs of working underground.

The Hard Times Mine Underground Tours are available seven days a week at 8:30am and 4:30pm. Bookings are essential. Call Outback at Isa on 4749 1555 for details or book online.

American River, Credit: Julie Fletcher

ROAD SAFETY You are permitted to drive on a current out of state or overseas licence for a period of one year. If you hold an out of state or overseas driver’s licence it must be carried with you when you are driving and produced on demand to a police officer if requested.

Vehicles travel on the left-hand side of the road and the wearing of seatbelts is compulsory for all passengers.

It is illegal to talk on your mobile phone while driving.

Experience Mount Isa with Hertz.

Hertz provides a wide range of premium and quality vehicles, including passenger cars, 4WDs, and fully mine equipped vehicles. We welcome our returning Gold Plus Rewards® Members.

With excellent customer service, a modern fleet, and competitive rates, you can trust Hertz with your next journey

Visit hertz.com.au or call 13 30 39 to make your booking or contact us at:

Hertz Mount Isa and Mount Isa Airport 07 4743 4142 hertzmt.isa@bigpond.com

Dining & Entertainment

Grab a bite at one of the local pubs or eateries. Kick back and listen to some live entertainment.

Mount Isa boasts a number of great options for the transient visitor, from great pub grub to an iced cold beer on a Sunday arvo.

If you're after an award winning steak, you can't go past the Isa Hotel Rodeo Bar and Grill. Located on Miles Street, this rodeo-themed bistro restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can't go wrong.

The Buffs Club on the corner of Grace and Simpson Streets offers plenty of tasty food and entertainment. Grab a bite at the Frog and Toad Bar and Grill, watch a game on the big screen in the Sportsmans Bar or enjoy DJ beats on the weekend. On a Sunday, why not treat yourself to the club's gourmet buffet brekky. You know you deserve it!

Bambino, on the other hand, offers a range of delicious breakfast and lunch treats, or 'grab and go' options for those on the move. For a taste of Mexico, head down to Zambrero for some seriously good coffee and Mexican inspired cuisine.

Mount Isa is known as the "rodeo capital of Australia". Be sure to catch the live bands and rodeo events at the Isa Rodeo which occurs every August. There's a jam-packed long weekend of activities.

If you're after a quiet one, catch one of the latest blockbuster movies on rotation at Cinema Mount Isa. For session times, go to www.cinemaisa.com.au

Calendar of Events

JANUARY

• Australia Day Party

FEBRUARY

• Ronald McDonald House Charity Ball, Mount Isa

• Sign on Expo, Mount Isa

MARCH

• St Patricks Day Races, Mount Isa

APRIL

• Mount Isa Music Festival, Mount Isa

MAY

• M ineX at Buchanan Park, Mount Isa

JUNE

• Queensland Day

• Mount Isa Cup, Mount Isa

• C loncurry Annual Show, Cloncurry

• Mount Isa Agricultural Show, Mount Isa

• The Great Western Games, Mount Isa

JULY

• Quamby Rodeo, Quamby

AUGUST

• Isa Street Festival, Mount Isa

• Curry Merry Muster, Cloncurry

• Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo, Mount Isa

• Drover’s Camp Festival, Camooweal

• Mount Isa Motor Show & Swap Meet, Mount Isa

SEPTEMBER

• Mount Isa Mines Casa Grande Ball, Mount Isa

OCTOBER

• Spring Cup, Mount Isa

NOVEMBER

• Mount Isa Carols by Candlelight, Mount Isa

Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo street parade