3 minute read
Mount Isa School of the Air
Isa Experience
Discover how Mount Isa came to be the multicultural, prosperous city of today by visiting the old days at the Isa Historic Display.
It’s a self-guided display with an array of fascinating exhibits dating back to the earliest inhabitants of the land, the Kalkadoon indigenous tribe. You’ll learn how Mount Isa’s founding father, John Campbell Miles discovered the riches that lay beneath the earth and staked the first mining claim in 1923.
Watch a short film on the big screen in the unique water tank theatrette. Discover the various cultures that have arrived in Mount Isa and continue to thrive even now. Learn about the Kalkadoons – who they were, how they lived and what became of their tribe upon white settlement in the area. Travel through the early days and witness how people went about their daily lives in the remote outback, all those years ago.
On display at The Isa Experience are a number of relics dating back to the city’s pioneering and mining past. They include a steam train and mining equipment that were state-of-the-art back in the day and which have now been superseded by world-beating technology, developed in the Isa itself.
Rodeo Hall of Fame
'Visitors to Mount Isa can enjoy the legends of the Isa Rodeo yearround at the newly-opened Isa Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Located at the award-winning Outback at Isa, the Hall of Fame celebrates the early beginnings of the rodeo in 1959, including the contribution of Rotary and Rotarians, cowboys, characters and legendary stock which are part of the iconic event’s history.
The hall of fame will not only preserve the Isa Rodeo’s colourful history, but will grow and evolve over the years.
The attraction is a must see for any visitor to the Isa. It is interactive and the stories of the rodeo are brought to life through a variety of displays, from original score sheets to the protective clothing worn by bull fighters in the arena. The hall of fame is located in the Isa Experience and part of the admission to the historic display.
www.isarodeo.com.au
Location
19 Marian Street Mount Isa, Outback at Isa
Ph 07 4749 1555
Open 8.30-5.00pm 7 days a week Closed Good Friday, Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Bookings are not required.
Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group
Your Isa Experience admission also includes entry to the Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group Hatchery, another must-visit to include on your itinerary. There, you’ll learn about fish breeding and how Lake Moondarra, 19 kilometres away, is home to 22 different species. It’s kept well-stocked with barramundi and sooty grunter fingerlings. Visitors enjoy the native fish display and the information video which explains the history of the hatchery since its establishment. The facility’s sustainability initiatives include solar power for the pumping systems and the use of groundwater and recycled water to supply its smart aquaculture system. Go along and witness science in action!
Outback Park
Access to the Outback Park is included in the entry ticket price for the Isa Experience, where visitors to the park discover another surprising aspect of Mount Isa. The park was built to showcase the region’s native plants and provide a glimpse into the spectacular natural assets outside of the city itself. Wandering through, you may encounter some shy native birds and lizards who will provide wonderful photographic opportunities … if you’re quick. Revel in the tranquil beauty of the central lagoon which is surrounded by lush native foliage. The centrepiece is the stunning waterfall, a scaled-down replica of the tufa falls of Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, located about 250km to the north west of the city.
Pack a picnic lunch to bring along or grab something from the café. After taking in the water features, you can cross the bridge over the lagoon and follow the paths to find your favourite shady spot to sit, eat and relax in the fresh air.
