Car Hire Mount Isa - Mini guide to Mount Isa

Mount Isa, Queensland.s Mining Gem

Located in Northwest Queensland, the city of Mount Isa had its beginnings in 1923 as an immense producer of mineral ores, copper, zinc, silver and lead. In fact the production figures place Mount Isa Mines as the single most productive mine in recorded world history! The town now has a population of 26,000, with an additional 35,000 residing in the greater area.

Dispite Mount Isa.s location in the arid north-west Queensland, having an annual rainfall of a mere 18 inches, the large lake just north of town provides both drinking water and abundant recreation, not to mention a habitat for waterfowl.

Local industry centers on mining, with both underground copper mines, and open pit silver-lead and zinc mines. Some of the metals are smelted right at the mines, while the zinc concentrate is transported all the way to the east coast 600miles distant. The lead smelter.s smokestack stands an impressive 800. high and can be seen from every point in Mount Isa and up to 25 miles away.

Of the local cultural events, the city is best known for its annual rodeo, by all accounts the best rodeo in all of Australia. The street parade for Mardi Gras held every August. Popular too, is the Multicultural Festival in September.

Local Attractions

Visit the Hard Times Mine to experience what it is like to go underground as a miner. You will be asked to kit-out in safety equipment and actually descend deep into the earth and become captivated by the lore and history of this real mine. Explosives tremble the earth and put you in the mood for the stories and history your guide dishes out like so many silver nuggets.

Spend an afternoon at the multi-media Isa Experience Gallery which presents the heritage of Mount Isa with interactive displays showcasing the cultural, pioneering, mining and indigenous heritage of the region.

If you are into paleontology, take the short drive to the Riversleigh Fossil Center where fossil finds are displayed in dioramas illustrating the evolution of mega mammals over the last 30 million years. The guides treat you to fascinating workings of the on-site laboratory.

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