Underground Hospital including the Tent House and Beth Anderson Museum

Mount Isa History

To say Mount Isa has a rich history is more of a nod to its vast mineral deposits. But the city’s history goes way back to before European settlement, when the Indigenous Kalkatungu (Anglicised: Kalkadoon) tribe were the first people to live in the Mount Isa area.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Before modern industry brought mining to the area, the region was famous for stone axes that were handmade by the Kalkadoons. Renowned for their exquisite sharpness and incredible durability, the axe heads were traded throughout Australia before the arrival of Europeans.

Battle Mountain Memorial

Kalkadoon people first encountered Europeans in 1860, when the Burke and Wills exploration party passed through their tribal lands peaceably. The first 10 years of pastoralists and prospectors entering Kalkadoon country were peaceful times, with Edward Palmer of Canobie Station and Ernest Henry of note. Henry established the mines of Fort Constantine and the Great Australian Copper Mine during the period 1866 to 1876 and also developed good relationships with the Kalkadoons, who showed him a large outcropping of copper which became the Argylla Mine. Henry employed up to 30 Kalkadoons to mine the copper, with women and children assisting as well. It wasn’t until 1877 when Alexander Kennedy took up 3,000 square miles of Kalkadoon country to run 60,000 head of cattle, that skirmishes began between Europeans and the Kalkadoons. The huge number of cattle caused the pollution of valuable water and the decrease in native fauna meant scarce hunting due to habitat loss. Over the next seven years the Kalkadoons fought guerrilla warfare with Kennedy and other station owners, along with the Queensland Native Mounted Police, culminating in the Kalkadoon’s last stand at Battle Mountain in 1884.

Did you know?

Mount Isa Mines is a mixture of open cut and underground mining methods. The Copper mine is over 1980 metres deep.

Mount Isa Mines has 4 mine sites in the region and provides work for over 3,200 employees.

Minerals, mining and modernity

John Campbell Miles discovered Mount Isa’s rich mineral deposits in February 1923 when he picked up some rocks and knew right away from their heavy weight that they had something important to offer. He took them to Cloncurry where a government official confirmed that they were comprised of up to 78 percent lead-silver.

In fact, Miles had discovered the world’s richest zinc-lead seams. His purchase of 42 acres of land that he named Mount Isa remains one of the most productive single mines in the history of the world. Mount Isa Mines Ltd was established in 1924 and was acquired by Glencore in May 2013. Today, Glencore employs more than 3,200 employees and contractors in the region. Mount Isa is a thriving, hard-working city that sees the fruits of its labours year in and year out.

• Public toilets • Showers • Free WiFi • Outback at Isa Café • Regional Art Gallery • Riversleigh Fossil Centre • Hard Times Mine • Hall of Fame

• Trip planning, road & weather conditions • Tour bookings • Maps • Gift shop • Postage stamps • Book and magazine exchange • Parking for your Caravan, bus, or RV • Access to water Outback at Isa’s stylised logo emphasises its position as a crossroads of the region’s major transport routes. The rugged Selwyn Ranges that flank the city are represented by the dotted line and the central swirl of the logo depicts Mount Isa’s life-source, the mining pit. This simple but elegant logo captures the essence of the city and represents its importance to the region.

Location

19 Marian Street, Mount Isa

Ph 07 4749 1555 Open from 8.30am - 5.00pm daily. Closed New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday. www.mietv.com.au

MOUNT ISA CITY TOUR EXPLORE THE OLD AND THE NEW OF THE ISA

Circuit of the city showcasing tin houses and grand homes, native plants and mining infrastructure, including the original copper open cut pit.

OLD MARY KATHLEEN URANIUM MINE TOUR

Originally discovered in 1954 by Norm McConachy and Clem Walton, the Mary Kathleen Uranium Mine and Township were officially opened by Robert Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia and Frank Nicklin, Premier of Queensland in October 1958.

Uncover the hidden treasures and the character of the Isa. Discover our History and Heritage

LAKE MOONDARRA SUNSET TOUR

End your day relaxing in the picturesque surrounds of Transport Bay. Experience the serenity and sunset over Lake Moondarra whilst enjoying a beverage and generous ploughman’s platter.

SELECT DEPARTURES BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: See website for availability and bookings or talk to the team at Outback at Isa 07 4744 8577 www.northwesttours.com.au