The City of Mount Isa is located 1829 kilometres from Brisbane, the Queensland State Capital, and 883 kilometres from Townsville, the nearest major City.
Mount Isa City covers an area of over 43 310 square kilometres, making it geographically the second largest city in Australia to Kalgoorlie-Boulder WA.
Located within the Mount Isa City boundary is the town of Camooweal - "The Western Gateway to Queensland" - approximately 200 kilometres to the west, making the highway between Mount Isa and Camooweal the longest street in the world.
With a population of approximately 23,500, Mount Isa is a major service centre for North West Queensland, and a thriving city well equipped to satisfy residential, business and industrial needs.
The residents of Mount Isa lack nothing when it comes to shopping. All of the shops and services that one would expect to find in a modern city can be found in Mount Isa.
The major retail chains, such as K-Mart, Coles, Best & Less, Rockmans, Sports Power, Mathers Shoes, Millers, Super Cheap Auto, Retravision, Beta Electrical, Harvey Norman, Autobarn and Woolworths are represented, together with a wide range of specialist retailers.
In 1923, lone prospector John Campbell Miles, while travelling on a gold prospecting trip to the Northern Territory, camped by the banks of the Leichhardt River. Sampling a nearby rock outcrop, he realised that it was heavily mineralised.
Campbell Miles had stumbled on to one of the world's richest copper, silver, lead and zinc ore bodies.
He decided to call his discovery "Mount Isa" after the stories he had heard of the Mount Ida goldfield in Western Australia.
Almost 100 years later, the Mount Isa Mine now owned by Xstrata is still one of Australia's largest producers of copper ore.
The early pioneers of Mount Isa faced many hardships. The lack of water, remoteness, the summer heat, high costs and scarcity of essential items made life extremely difficult.
Despite these hardships, the pioneers endured to create a city that has attracted people from all around the world.
Mount Isa has a great climate with an average of 9.5 hours of sunshine a day and only 50 wet days per year.
There are two distinct seasons - the wet season from November to March and the dry season centred on June, July and August.
Summer months are hot, with average minimums in the low 20s (degrees Celsius) and maximums in the high 30s. Most houses and businesses are air-conditioned.
Winter is much more pleasant, with average daytime temperatures in the mid-20s and nights averaging a very comfortable 12 degrees.
The lowest temperature ever recorded in Mount Isa was -2.9 degrees!
Despite its geographical isolation, Mount Isa is easily accessible by all modes of transport.
Qantas currently operates daily jet services to Brisbane (a two-hour flight) with connections to interstate and international destinations.
MACAIR operates daily services between Mount Isa and Brisbane, Townsville, and Cairns.
Please note fights to Cairns do not depart Mount Isa on Sunday.
Additionally, there are services provided to numerous towns within the region.
Queensland Rail operates a twice-weekly passenger service (the Inlander) between Mount Isa and Townsville.
Regular freight services are also available to cater for the industrial and commercial needs of the city.
Coach services operate between Mount Isa and Brisbane and Mount Isa and Townsville on a daily basis, and between Mount Isa and Tennant Creek five times a week, with connections to Alice Springs and Darwin.
The major highway into the city and to the Northern Territory border is sealed. Major roads in the region are sealed, but there are a number of unsealed roads.
Several companies operate car and four wheel drive vehicle hire services. Aircraft and helicopter charter services are also available.
Mount Isa, and the surrounding region, boasts a diverse range of attractions and activities that are sure to appeal to both visitors and residents.
These include the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil area and beautiful Lawn Hill Gorge, fossicking for minerals and gems, barramundi fishing, camel racing, the Outback at Isa Centre, and the picturesque Lake Moondarra, to name just a few.
Mount Isa also provides a variety of entertainment options.
There are a number of clubs which provide a wide range of services, from live music to dining to poker machines. Youth activities are well catered for at the Police Citizens Youth Club.
Dining options in Mount Isa range from fast food franchises (such as McDonalds, Eagle Boys Pizza, Subway, Pizza Hut, Red Rooster, Domino's Pizza and KFC) through to restaurants offering a variety of international cuisine (including Chinese, Italian, German & Ethiopian).
Additionally, there are a number of hotels, motels, clubs, bistros and cafes offering a variety of choices for those looking to eat out.
The Mount Isa Civic Centre provides a venue for a feast of cultural entertainment, ranging from theatre to cabaret to rock concerts.
The Centre also plays host to travelling exhibitions and is proud of its eclectic group of resident artists.
Splashez Aquatic Centre, with a 50 metre swimming pool, separate shaded adventure pool (wading pool depth), landscaped gardens and well stocked kiosk, selling hot food, cold drinks and ice creams, is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer's day.
Splashez is open from early September until mid April and entry is $3.50 per person.
The latest movies are shown at Cinema Isa and Civic Video, located in the Turanga Shopping Centre, or Blockbuster, in the CBD, offer a wide range of DVD titles.
Visit the award winning Outback at Isa for the experience of a lifetime.
The Isa Experience Gallery captures the very essence of Mount Isa and it's colourful history. Listen to the amazing stories of the pioneering men and women who faced the ongoing problems of heat, floods, distance and cultural difference to build Australia's first company town.
The Hard Times Mine tour is an experience you will never forget. Let our experienced mine guides take you deep into the heart of mining country, get up close with the machinery and experience a day in the life of the historic Mount Isa Miners.
The Riversleigh Fossil Centre brings Australia's prehistoric creatures to life. Explore the rainforests and caves of yesteryear, and learn about the amazing creatures that once inhabited our majestic country. Join a Lab Tour and see be amazed at the millions of years of history being uncovered before your eyes.
Lake Moondarra is situated just 20 kilometres north of the city centre of Mount Isa.
The lake is a popular place for locals and tourists to visit because of its beautiful scenery.
The lake's safe, still water encourages swimming, waterskiing, sailing and canoeing. It has also been stocked with barramundi to lure anglers for an excellent spot of fishing.
There are several scenic picnic areas located around the lake with large shady trees providing a perfect place to relax and enjoy a barbecue. The barbecues are free of charge and have a woodpile that is restocked regularly.
The Rodeo Drive Isa Rodeo Walk of Fame is paved with the names of legendary rodeo riders - the Isa Rodeo's All Around Cowboys - and champion feature stock including Spinifex, a horse so famous Slim Dusty wrote a song about him; and Blondie the little mare with a big heart who, for years, bucked off every rider until one year a competitor rode her out - later it was discovered she was heavily in foal at the time.
Also on Rodeo Drive is the John Campbell Miles Memorial, a tribute the man who discovered the rich mineral ore in the Selwyn ranges in 1923 which continues to be the lifeblood of the City.
The memorial housing Miles' ashes was first unveiled in 1968, and has recently undergone a revitalisation involving the replacement of the original town clock with stained glass panels, each representing a pivotal or iconic aspect of Mount Isa's heritage and culture - Rodeo Capital, Kalkadoon Warrior, Mineral Heritage and the Mount Isa logo. The significance of these panels is outlined on plaques at the base of the monument. The memorial is most spectacular after nightfall with the internal lighting shining out through the panels.
The walk along Rodeo Drive is an absolute MUST to gain an insight into the history of the Isa Rodeo, and the unique and colourful history of the City itself.
Get off the beaten track along the Fossicking Way. The signed tourist drive highlights scenic and historic places of interest between Mount Isa and Cloncurry.
Take a drive to explore the history of the area with Mary Kathleen and Kajabbi now only ghostly reminders of their days as bustling mining centres.
A four wheel drive is a must to visit a number of the attractions, however some are located by the side of the highway.
Lake Julius
Off the beaten track, 110km north of Mount Isa is the stunning Lake Julius, offering a perfect retreat for a bit of peace and quiet.
You can choose the comfort of air-conditioned accommodation at the Lake Julius Active Recreation Centre*, or camp at the camping ground with a view that will take your breath away.
The Recreation Centre* caters for individuals families and groups both large and small.
Canoe hire is available for those looking for a relaxing way to experience the lake.
* Please note that the Lake Julius Active Recreation Centre has been closed for contract maintenance and is not accessible to the public at this time.
Any enquiries regarding this centre should be directed to the Booking Officer by phone on 07 4095 8323 or by email to
.
The lake itself is open during Recreation Centre maintenance, however, it is important to check the condition of the access road, as it can, at times, become impassable.
For current road conditions, please contact Sunwater on (07) 4783 0555.
Camooweal, located just 12km from the Northern Territory border, is the first stop for travellers arriving into Queensland.
Once a colourful droving centre, Camooweal's droving heritage has not been forgotten.
The Drover's Camp provides a fascinating insight into the past and the Camooweal Drover's Festival, held each year at the end of August, is an event which embodies the spirit of the Outback. It provides a chance for drovers, young and old, to share a yarn or two and show off the skills they learned to survive in the harsh land they travelled.
The shire hall is a fine example of colonial architecture and forms part of the town's national heritage. It houses a display of early photographs and two world war honour boards.
The Camooweal Caves National Park is located about 20kms from town the township of Camooweal and covers an area of 13,800 hectares of the Barkly Tableland.
The sinkhole openings that dot the landscape are the only clues to the natural beauty of the elaborate cave systems and deep vertical shafts that lie beneath the surface.
The best time to visit the park is early in the dry season, however always check road conditions with the Ranger or the local police when planning a trip to this park.
Visitors intending to explore the caves should be fully experienced in caving and be appropriately equipped.
Please notify the local police of your arrival and departure times at the caves for your own safety.
Lawn Hill National Park (Budjamulla)
A jewel in the crown in the North-West, this million-year-old gorge is a true oasis surrounded by the barren rocky features usually associated with this deserted area of Queensland.
Strictly managed and operated by National Parks rangers, the 282,000 hectare park stretches from the gorge, west to the Northern Territory border, south to the world heritage listed Riversleigh fossil fields and north to Bowthorn Station.
Lawn Hill National Park is situated approximately 400km north-west of Mount Isa and 200km south-west of Burketown.
Unsealed roads cover the last 200km from Mount Isa and the entire distance from Burketown. These roads can become impassable for extended periods after rain and travel by 4WD vehicle is recommended. Vehicles towing caravans should travel via the Burke and Wills Roadhouse.
Lawn Hill is a remote national park and visitors must be self-sufficient in food, water, fuel, vehicle spares and medical supplies.
The diversity of Mount Isa's economic base provides many employment and career opportunities across a wide spectrum of vocations.
Xstrata Mount Isa Mines is the City's major employer, with mining support industries, tourism, government services, commercial business and the pastoral industry also offering a number of employment opportunities.
For more information on employment opportunities in Mount Isa visit:
Are there investment and business opportunities in Mount Isa?
Mount Isa has a diverse economic base, with the major components being mining and mining support industries, mineral processing, tourism, government services and the pastoral industry.
With a population of approximately 23,500, and being the administrative, commercial and retail centre of north-west Queensland, Mount Isa provides many opportunities for new businesses to be established.
With a large mining industry in the area, incomes are generally higher than average. In 1996, the median weekly family income in Mount Isa was $1,072 which was over 50 per cent higher than the State median of $688.
The Retail Price Index indicates that the cost of living in Mount Isa is approximately 5 percent higher than in Brisbane, with food and groceries being about 10 per cent higher. However, wages and incomes generally incorporate these higher costs of living.
The housing market in the city is very active, with five real estate agencies operating.
Rental accommodation in the city is in high demand.
An average rent for a two bedroom furnished flat with air-conditioning is approximately $280 per week, while a three bedroom unfurnished house with air-conditioning is approximately $380 per week.
These prices reflect high levels of demand and generally higher levels of income.
If you would like more information on investment or business opportunities, download of copy of the Mount Isa Economic Profile or contact Mount Isa City Council's City Development Officer on 07 4747 3200 or email
.
The Mount Isa TAFE college is a modern facility providing vocationally based education and has latest telecommunication and video-conferencing equipment.
The City Library has an extensive collection of books, videos and other material which ensures that the residents of Mount Isa have access to a diversity of information.
How can I get involved in the Mount Isa community?
The City of Mount Isa is renowned for its welcoming nature and abundant community spirit.
The city is home to a number of sporting, social, church and community groups, as well as all major service clubs, who are always delighted to welcome new members.
Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet new people while making a worthwhile contribution to the community.
Mount Isa Volunteer Resources provides a database service which helps match volunteers with organisations, groups, and events seeking assistance.
For more information, or to join, phone 07 4749 1577 during business hours or email
.
The City Library also welcomes volunteers to assist with their Homebound Serivce.
Mount Isa Volunteer Resources produce a Welcome Pack for new residents which contains a wealth of information to help newcomers to the City settle in and find their way about.
To order a Welcome Pack phone 07 4749 1577 during business hours or email MIVR .
For more information about Tourist Attractions and recreational destinations visit www.outbackatisa.com.au
To discuss economic development, and investment opportunities contact Mount Isa City Council's City Development Officer on 07 4747 3200 or email
.
The information presented here is correct until August 2007. The author cannot be held responsible for the veracity of the information since that date.
Mount Isa City covers an area of over 43 310 square kilometres, making it geographically the second largest city in Australia to Kalgoorlie-Boulder WA.
In 1923, lone prospector John Campbell Miles, while travelling on a gold prospecting trip to the Northern Territory, camped by the banks of the Leichhardt River. Sampling a nearby rock outcrop, he realised that it was heavily mineralised.
Mount Isa, and the surrounding region, boasts a diverse range of attractions and activities that are sure to appeal to both visitors and residents.
Visit the award winning 
Lake Moondarra is situated just 20 kilometres north of the city centre of Mount Isa.
A jewel in the crown in the North-West, this million-year-old gorge is a true oasis surrounded by the barren rocky features usually associated with this deserted area of Queensland.
Mount Isa has a diverse economic base, with the major components being mining and mining support industries, mineral processing, tourism, government services and the pastoral industry.