Summer is coming in hot and fast, and there isn’t a better way to cool yourself than submerging your body in some cool water, or simply having a good splash for some good old fashion fun.
Without further ado, here are the best places to cool off away from the heat when in Mount Isa.
Splashez Aquatic Centre
A council family friendly facility that offers swimming to everyone, the Splashez Aquatic Centre is a great place to kickstart your swim session in Mount Isa.
Opened 7 days a week all year round (except for Christmas Day, Good Friday and the Mount Isa Shoe Day) with heated pools that accommodate cooler months, the summer heat often means cooler waters too.
For those looking to upskill your swimming abilities, you can always book into a swimming program to improve your strokes and water confidence. Swimming lessons are open for children to grownups and make a great way to learn an important life skill while cooling down from the heat. With fantastic facilities that provide optimal opportunity to swim laps, such as a 50 metre Olympic pool, followed by a cool down pool for those looking to dip and relax a bit.
For the recreational chillers, you will be thrilled to hear that there is a leisure pool on top of a children’s pool to explore and enjoy your swim time at your own pace.
There are also shaded grassy areas for you to lay back and relax along with free to use barbecue facilities for those wanting to cook up a meal after a good swim.
Lake Moondarra
If nature is what you seek in a relaxing swim, there’s no better place to be than Lake Moondarra for a swim when in Mount Isa,”.
It’s a quick 20-kilometre drive up north of Mount Isa city centre, making it an easy day trip with family and friends. From swimming to water sports and even fishing, kayaking and boating, the lake is a haven for water lovers of all sorts.
There’s plenty of fish to catch thanks to the lake being stocked with barramundi, making it an excellent spot for anglers to fish. Fishing permits are not required however catch limits do apply. Not to mention, the high quality fishing lures the Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic in October every year.
The water is cool, calm and refreshing, promising a great, relaxing swim for everyone.
Beyond getting wet, Lake Moondarra offers spectacular scenery against an Australian Outback backdrop. With several scenic picnic spots scattered across the lake, there’s plenty of shady trees to give you shade during the hot sunny weather. There are free to use barbeques and there’s also a woodpile that is stocked regularly for you to use.
When it comes to enjoying nature, the area hosts a range of bird life including pelicans, cormorants, ducks, galahs, and even is home to a flock of peacocks that frequent the area. For keen bird watchers, pick up a species list from Outback at Isa and try to count how many birds on the list you’re able to spot.
Mount Isa Family Fun Park
A project that cost over $4.25 million, the Mount Isa Family Fun Park has been awarded as the largest all abilities playground in Queensland. It’s the perfect place to explore, play, relax and have fun when you’re looking for a way to be busy all day.
A visit here promises fun for everyone no matter your interest or age. Entry is free and it’s opened daily (including weekends and holidays) but is closed every Wednesday for cleaning and maintenance.
There are over 200 parking spaces meaning you won’t have to fight for spots. There are free barbeque facilities to cook up a storm, many bike tracks to explore, large grassy areas to host your picnic, murals and art by local artists and schools to appreciate, a magnificent sculpture created by award winning Queensland artist Christopher Trotter, to name a few things.
Not to mention, 100% soft fall rubberised ground cover to ensure the safety of your little ones in all play areas.
When it comes to the actual fun (including splash zones and water features), here’s a quick breakdown of what you get in the Mount Isa Family Fun Park:
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A junior play area for kids aged 0 to 6 which is based on a pirate ship theme complete with a plank and a train theme complete with a long carriage and ticket system. The area is fully fenced and is located adjacent to a grassy mount where parents can supervise their kids from.
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A senior play area for kids above 6 filled with a variety of challenging installations and play equipment to keep their minds and bodies busy. Some equipment include climbing frames and balance seesaws, to name a few.
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A state of the art water park with an interactive design containing over 20 different installations utilising a recycled water system combined with sounds and lights. This is a first for North Queensland and is accessible for all abilities.
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A library swing that was built to be all abilities accessible including wheelchair access
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A double flying fox that is over 20 metres long each
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Permanent outdoor stage and seating areas for performances
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Toilet facilities that are self cleaning, self locking, vandalism resistant and sensor based
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A formal gazebo area for functions and special occasions like weddings
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Cool technology seating across the park
Wrapping up your day in Mount Isa
After all that fun in the sun, a hearty meal is called for at the Rodeo Bar & Grill Steakhouse in the Isa Hotel. Boasting prime cuts of meat that will melt in your mouth as a result of being grilled or smoked to perfection, a dining experience at the Rodeo Bar & Grill Steakhouse is a must.
Beyond premium meats, the menu is extensive enough to cover a good range of other meals including seafood, wood fire pizzas, and classic Aussie pub fare. Pair the meals with fresh cold beer on tap or a cool drink from the bar, and you’ll have yourself a meal you won’t forget.
For the kids, there’s a dedicated kids menu section offering all-time favourites including lasagne, nuggets, fish, steak, and chicken parmigiana served with sides.
If you’re looking for affordable accommodation in Mount Isa, the Isa Hotel offers a wide range of accommodation suited for groups of all sizes. Promising comfort and convenience within a budget, a stay at the Isa Hotel will grant you access to the best Mount Isa has to offer.
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