48 Hours in Mount Isa

Queensland’s Mount Isa isn’t known as the oasis of the outback for nothing. This northern inland town, which is the traditional lands of the Kalkadoon people, is home to a range of exciting adventures and incredible sights to see, and so much of it is achievable in just 48 hours! All you need to do is jump in your Thrifty rental car and follow this guide, and you’ll have two spectacular days in this gem of the outback’s crown.

Discover the Beauty of Nature

Kick off your adventure by diving head-first into the crazily awesome scenery on display in and around Mount Isa. Before you do anything else, grab some snacks and some water and head toward the stunning Fountain Springs. This natural waterhole makes for the perfect morning of bush walks and swimming, all with the backdrop of the dramatic rocky outcrop of the landscape around you. Surrounded by wild birds that provide the perfect soundtrack for you to explore the environment, after you’ve spent some time exploring the Ballara Heritage Mining Trail, take a dip in the waterhole and settle by the water’s edge as you bask in the golden sun of Mount Isa. For when you get hungry at lunch, head back into town and check out the famous Grant’s Cakes and Pies. Fill up with a homemade steak pie or a delicious sausage roll from this local legend of a bakery and top it off with a sweet treat from their wide collection of cakes and slices. After a visit to Grant’s, you’ll be well energised and excited for your next Mount Isa adventure.

Travel Back in Time

Spend the afternoon of your first day in Mount Isa travelling back through 25 million years of animal life on land. The Riversleigh Fossil Site is like a natural museum of the outback that illustrates the millions of years of evolution that has unfolded around this slice of historic earth. Not only is Riverleigh a World Heritage-listed site, it’s also one of the top ten places to find fossils in the entire world. In your Thrifty rental car, take the Gregory Downs route to Riversleigh and make sure to take care on the unsealed roads. Although the road to get there might be a bit bumpy, you’ll find it all well worth it once you arrive at Riversleigh. Upon getting there, jump out of the car, stretch your legs, lace up those hiking boots and strap on your backpack to get going on the self-guided Riversleigh Fossil Trail. This walking track will lead you to the famous Site—the only fossil site at Riversleigh open to the public. One of the first fossil sites to be found in Riversleigh, Site D is sure to amaze. Observe the fossils as they’re framed by the red rock that surrounds and imagine the stories of all the animals that existed as earlier versions of the local legends, we’re all familiar with. Everything from kangaroos to koalas to wombats can be found preserved within the limestone, giving you an idea of what the fauna of Australia was like before they became the furry friends we know them as today.

Cool Off in the Outback 

On your second day Mount Isa, embrace the beauty of the dams and lakes on offer and cool off from the heat. Located right in the middle of the outback, Mount Isa can sometimes get near scorching, and there’s no better feeling than taking a dip in the cool waters of the swimming holes when it’s sweltering outside. Your first stop should be the shores of Lake Moondarra, a lake situated only 17 kilometres north of the city centre that offers not only a spectacular view, but also a picturesque shoreline drive along the way. This body of water is as beautiful as it is significant to the town’s survival, being the source of water for the entire city. It’s a truly stunning location that will make it hard for you to ever want to leave it, with everything from bush walks and swimming to fishing and canoeing on offer at Lake Moondarra. The picnic areas and free-to-use barbeque facilities mean that you really can relax here for as long as you like, splashing about in the still waters and taking shade in the majestic cover of the trees along the shoreline.

Relax with a Pub Feed

Finish off your 48 hours in Mount Isa with a trip to the local pub. As the town is home to the largest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere in August, there’s no wondering why the local pub’s restaurant is called Rodeo Bar and Grill. Found right in the centre of town at Isa’s Hotel, this western-themed pub is the perfect place to sit back with a steak and a cold one as you reflect on all the beautiful nooks and crannies of Mount Isa you’ve explored over the past two days.

Experience the thrill of the outback with 48 hours of exploring the hidden gems of Queensland’s Mount Isa.