Key Attractions
There’s no better place to begin your Outback Queensland adventures than the city of Mount Isa. Discover our rich mining history by taking a guided underground tour in the Hard Times Mine, or rewind the clock and explore our ancient past at the Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre. And who could resist witnessing a truly breathtaking Outback sunset at one of the many lookouts located within the region. For those who enjoy water sports, a visit to Lake Moondarra is a must! Discover everything there is to do in Mount Isa below.
1. Isa Visitor Centre
Outback at Isa operates the regional Visitor Information Centre, providing vital tourism information about the town and region in a welcoming and friendly manner. Found just a short walk away on Marian Street.
Contact
Open Monday – Friday
Address: 19 Marian Street
Phone: 07 4749 1555
2. Lake Moondarra
Lake Moondarra is situated just 20km north of the city centre. Access to the lake is by way of a picturesque shoreline drive via a sealed road. The lake is a popular place for locals and tourists to visit due to its spectacular scenery. The lakes safe, still water encourages swimming, sailing and canoeing and is stocked with Barramundi making it an excellent fishing spot.
3. Kalkadoon Tribal Centre
For some Mount Isa cultural history, the Kalkadoon’s rich heritage has been retained by their descendants in the preservation of their traditional culture. The Kalkadoon Tribal Council and Cultural Keeping Place, located a short walk away in Marian Street, is the keeping place for the preservation of the culture and heritage of the Kalkadoon people. The Kalkadoon ruled the Emu Foot Province which is known today as Mount Isa City.
Contact
Open Mon – Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm (Apr – Sep)
Address: Centanary Park Rpn, Lot 77 Marian Street
Phone: 07 4749 1435
4. Hilary Street Lookout
Why not get a spectacular bird’s view of Mount Isa from the city’s highest peak! The lookout is opposite the Tourist Information Centre and offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city and mine areas. For the best view, visit during sunset or after dark and capture illumination from the mines that give Mount Isa a beautiful glow.
5. Aboriginal Sites
A guide is mandatory if you wish to visit the Aboriginal sites around the city. There are a number of tours on offer, for further information please contact the Visitor’s Information Centre.
Contact
Open Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
Address: 19 Marian Street
Phone: 07 4749 1555
Web: www.outbackatisa.com.au
6. Underground Hospital
For a truly unusual experience, why not visit the Underground Hospital and Museum located in Joan Street. During World War II, after the bombing of the Darwin Hospital in 1942, precautions were taken to protect the Mount Isa District Hospital in the event of an air raid. It is now showcased as the only structure of its kind to ever be built in Australia.
Contact
Open Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm
Address: 19 Marian Street
Phone: 07 4749 1555
Web: www.outbackatisa.com.au
7. Hard Times Mine
The Hard Times Mine tour is more than just a tour, it’s an outright experience. Descending into the mine in the Alimak Cage, you will explore the history of mining as guides enthral you with stories from deep under the earth. See how tunnels are formed and get up and close with the machinery as you feel the earth rumble.
Contact
Open Tours 7 days a week (bookings essential)
Address: 19 Marian Street
Phone: 07 4749 1555
Web: www.outbackatisa.com.au
8. Tent House
The National Trust Tent House shows visitors some of Mount Isa’s early style of housing. These houses were vital to the growth of Mount Isa and played a part in making the city more than just an outback mining town. The Tent house is now a working museum.
Contact
Open By appointment only
Address: Grounds of Fourth Avenue Motor Inn
Phone: 07 4749 6666
Web: www.nationaltrustqld.org/property-tent
9. Riversleigh Fossil Deposits
The Riversleigh fossil vertebrate deposits are among the richest and most extensive in the world. Since 1983 the beautifully preserved remains of thousands of ancient inhabitants of northern Australia, including giant pythons, carnivorous kangaroos and marsupial lions have been recovered from these rocks and have been immeasurable to our developing knowledge of the history of our continent and its animals.
Contact
Address: Lawn Hill National Park, Lawn Hill
Web: www.riversleigh.com
10. Fossil Display
The Riversleigh Fossil Centre educates and interprets for visitors the fossils extracted from the nearby Riversleigh Fossil Fields. Riversleigh Fossil Centre is unique among centres offering ‘fossil tourism’, as Pelaeontological research can be watch and experience first-hand during daily lab tours. The Riversleigh Fossil Centre display is located inside Outback at Isa, just a quick walk away on Marian Street. The display depicts the landscape as scientists believe it appeared from as far back as 20 million years ago, up until today. Visitors can share in excitement of fossil discoveries of world significance, including new mammal species, bats and enormous snakes.
Contact
Open Mon-Sun
Address: 19 Marian Street
Phone; 07 4749 1555
Web: www.outbackatisa.com.au
11. Ten Pin Bowling
Super Goldpin Lanes Bowling.
Contact
Open Open 7 days a week
Address: Cnr Able Smith Parade and George Street
Phone: 07 4749 5556
12. Public Swimming Pool
Splashez Aquatic Centre, located in the CBD is an outdoor unheated pool. A popular place to cool down.
Contact
Open Mon/Wed/Thurs: 6am-7:30pm, Thurs/Fri:
6am-6pm, Sat/Sun: 9am-5pm
Address: 51 Isa Street
Phone: 07 4743 2137
13. Isa Cinemas
Showcasing all the latest release movies, why not relax and watch a movie at the Isa Cinema located just a minute’s walk down Rodeo Drive.
Contact
Open Tues-Sun 9:30am until close.
Closed on Mondays.
Address: 22 Rodeo Drive
Phone: 07 4743 2043
Web: www.cinemaisa.com.au
14. Mount Isa Rodeo (Annual Event)
Since 1959, every ear at the end of winter, Mount Isa hosts the Mount Isa Rodeo. Held at Buchanan Park Showgrounds, it attracts the best riders from both Australia and abroad. The Isa Rodeo is the biggest and richest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s where the romance
of the Australian Outback meets the grit of a mining town, where city meets country, where east meets west and man meets beast. More than 25,000 visitors flock to Mount Isa for the festival. In the ring, you’ll see – bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback bronc, rope & tie, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, break away roping, poddy ride and bucking ponies. The town comes alive with Mardi Gras Parade, Queen Quest, Mailmain Express Horse Race, Best Dressed Business competition, Bush Poets Breakfast, Show Rides and Fred Brophies Boxing tent, bringing the town together for one big party. Saddle up, don your best jeans, shine the spurs and grab the cowboy hat, you’re in for one heck of a ride!
Contact
Address Buchanan Park Showgrounds.
When Anually in August
Phone: 07 4743 2706
Email: enquiries@isarodeo.com.au
Web: www.isarodeo.com.au
