Mount Isa
Mount Isa or “ The Isa” as it is affectionately tagged by the locals is the major service centre for North West Queensland.
Set on the banks of the Leichardt River, this thriving city has a population of approximately 23,500 people and is often described as the Oasis of the Outback.
Mount Isa began as a mining town, following the discovery in 1923 of substantial deposits of lead. It is now one of the world’s top ten producers of copper, silver, lead and zinc.
Apart from mining, the gulf regions major industry is beef cattle grazing. Beef roads, which service the northern Gulf properties, converge on Mount Isa which is also an important retail service centre for the surrounding pastoral towns and properties. The residents of Mount Isa lack nothing when it comes to shopping. The modern centre is extremely well equipped to satisfy residential, business and industrial needs.
The airport is located 8 kilometres from the City centre. The flight time from Mount Isa to Cairns is 110 minutes approximately. And the flight time from Mount Isa to Townsville is also a 110 minute flight approximately.
A full range of accommodation is offered for the visitor and ready access to gulf fishing and outback resorts. Local tour operators provide tours of the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil area and canoeing on the beautiful Lawn Hill Gorge. One can go fossicking for minerals and gems or barramundi fishing. Other sights to see are camel racing, the Outback at Isa Centre, and the picturesque Lake Moondarra, to name just a few.
The city is renowned for its Outback Rodeo and Mardi Gras which take place annually in August and is considered to be the largest rodeo in the southern hemisphere. The Isa locals are a friendly, lively bunch who enjoy the social, sporting and community culture that is unique to country towns. So come visit Mount Isa and be seduced by the romance of the Queensland outback.
