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Mount Isa, QLD

Described as the Oasis of the Outback – a gleaming mirage on the horizon for travellers from all directions – Mount Isa nestles among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges, on the banks of the Leichhardt River.

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Mount Isa has grown from strength to strength over the years but the harsh picturesque landscape has barely changed, becoming one of the main draw-cards for visitors each year. Mount Isa brings out the adventurous spirit in everyone, with ample places to fish, camp, four wheel drive, 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.

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.

A must see while in Mount Isa is the Outback at Isa complex, incorporating the award winning Riversleigh Fossil Centre, Hard Times Mine, Sir James Foots Building, Outback Park and Visitor Information Centre.

Other attractions are the School of the Air, the Royal Flying Doctors base, National Trust Tent House, Underground Hospital and Beth Anderson Museum, surface tours of Mount Isa Mines and fishing for barramundi at Lake Moondarra.

Mount Isa’s existence and its main financial base is the huge Mount Isa Mine, the world’s largest single producer of copper, silver, lead and zinc. In 1923, John Campbell Miles found a silver-lead ore outcrop and sent a sample to Cloncurry to be assessed. Miles pegged two leases and soon 500 were filled. Mount Isa Mines took over operations in 1924. This rich deposit is still producing high volumes of ore and is classed as one of the world’s great mines.

mt isa

Nearest Airport: Mount Isa

Where to stay?

Experiences

  • 18-35's
  • Active
  • Caravan and Camping
  • Farm/Station
  • Homestay
  • Romance
  • City
  • Rural/Country
  • Cultural
  • Historic/Heritage
  • Mountain
  • Nature based
  • Relaxation
  • Remote
  • Self-Drive

Popular Activities

  • Off Road Driving
  • Abseiling
  • Mountain Biking
  • Trail bike riding
  • Bush Walking
  • Canoeing
  • City Sightseeing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Cycling
  • Driving
  • Golfing
  • Horse Riding
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Skiing - Water
  • Swimming
  • National Park
  • Fishing
  • Wilderness
  • Wildlife
  • Outback
  • Fossicking

About Mount Isa

  • Locality: Rural locality
  • Mount Isa Postcode: 4825
  • State: Queensland
  • Region: Outback Queensland
  • Latitude: -20.53602
  • Longitude: 139.45485
  • Elevation: 412m
  • Population: 118
  • Median Income: $59644
  • Area (Sq/km): 6963.708
  • Timezone: Australia/Brisbane

Tours In Mount Isa

Discover some of the tours options around Mount Isa

Explore The Outback

Australia has a vast remote interior, much of it largely untouched. By night, the outback is deathly quiet, with the only light provided by the stars and the moon - a perfect oportunity for stargazing. Explore the isolated heart of the country, meet and connect with Aboriginal people and experience one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Go ‘walk-about’ and immerse yourself with Australia’s endless outback horizons.

Outback Experiences

Luxe Accommodation

Enjoy a distinctly Australian luxury experience, such as the unforgettable reefs, islands, beaches and coast; rugged mountain ranges, rainforests and vast national parks; and the many vibrant food and wine regions. Take a once in a lifetime adventure and discover the sheer indulgence of experiencing the wonders of Australia in style and stay in total luxury.

Australia has wide variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets and travelling preferences. Choose from luxury lodges, boutique hotels, serviced apartments, motels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks as well as youth and backpacker hostels.

Accommodation

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are actually the cores of 20 million year old volcanoes. The sides of the volcanoes have eroded away leaving only the hardened rock spiremountain cores we see today. Learn more about this awe-inspiring landscape.

Glasshouse Mountains