Mount Isa

Mount Isa is an authentic Outback town of striking beauty, with stark red ridges and olive-green clumps of Spinifex. There is a mine rich in copper, silver, lead and zinc west of town. The name “Mt Isa” is coming from the Western Australia goldfield “Mt Ida”. The former US Open tennis champion Pat Raffer is born in Mt Isa. Spectacular views of the mine and town are possible at the “City Lookout”, off Hilary St. You can also visit the “Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitors Centre” and the “School of the Air”, which teaches its lessons per radio to the isolated children in the Outback.

A popular recreation area is the “Lake Moondarra”, 16km north of town. On the second weekend in August is the Mt Isa’s annual rodeo. The “Travellers Haven” offers a night in a dorm for A$ 18.