Mount Isa

Find adventure and a vibrant outback lifestyle in the heart of Outback Queensland. Mount Isa is a dynamic regional city offering a unique blend of rugged charm and modern comfort to its near twenty thousand residents.

Affectionately known as the ‘Oasis of the Outback’, Mount Isa is nestled among the ochre-red Selwyn Ranges, on the banks of the Leichhardt River. As the second largest city in Australia, Mount Isa is a bustling melting pot of culture and industry.

As a modern, well-appointed centre with a cosmopolitan vibe, Mount Isa the most important industrial, commercial, and administrative centre in Outback Queensland. It is an important railhead; has an airport with facilities for jets and is a key road hub for the extensive system of highways linking Brisbane, Townsville, Alice Springs, and Darwin.

While the city has grown from strength to strength over the years, its rustic and picturesque landscape has barely changed, becoming one of the main drawcards for those living and visiting the region.

The Mount Isa lifestyle boasts a relaxed pace of living, surrounded by stunning Outback landscapes ideal for camping, hiking, and exploring. The annual Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo is a highlight, showcasing the town’s love for rodeo and bringing locals and visitors together for an unforgettable experience.

Whether you’re seeking career growth, a close-knit community, or simply a change of scenery, Mount Isa has something special to offer everyone.

Unlock a world of possibilities in Australia’s Outback gem!

The Stats

18,945 Population

43,700km² Area

$137,644 Median Family Income (Above state average)

$295,000 Median House Price

Top 3 Industries

1. Mining & Critical Minerals

2. Transport & Logistics

3. Agriculture

Education

Childcare Centres

Red Oasis Early Education and Care
St Mary Mackillop Early Learning Centre Mt Isa
PCYC Mt Isa School Age Care
St Joseph’s Outside School Hours Care
Goodstart Early Learning Mount Isa
Injilinji Community Kindergarten
Mount Isa Day Nursery and Kindergarten
Happy Valley School Age Care
Mount Isa Family Day Care Scheme
Happy Valley Community Kindergarten
PCYC Mt Isa – Barkly Highway School Age Care
C&K Sunset Community Kindergarten

Primary Schools (P-6)

Mount Isa Central State School
Camooweal State School
Barkly Highway State School
Townview State School
St Joseph’s Catholic School
Mount Isa School of the Air
Happy Valley State School
St Kieran’s Catholic School
Sunset State School
Healy State School

High Schools (7-12)

Good Shepherd Catholic College
Spinifex State College

University

James Cook University
CUC - Country University Campus, Mount Isa

Key Attractions

Lake Moondarra

Underground WWII Hospital & Museum

Hard Times Mine Underground Tour

Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre

Mount Isa Regional Art Gallery

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park

Granite Mine

Camooweal Caves

Bush Tucker Experience

Outback at Isa

Mount Isa Lookout

Connectivity

Mount Isa is notable for being one of the world's largest cities by land area, covering approximately 43,310 square kilometres. Situated 900 km west of Townsville and 200 km east of the Northern Territory border. Mount Isa is an important railhead; has an airport with facilities for Jets and is a key road hub for the extensive system of highways linking Brisbane, Townsville, Alice Springs, and Darwin.

Mount Isa is located on the Leichhardt River and sits within the Mount Isa Mines region, part of the North West Minerals Province. The town is surrounded by vast cattle stations and is a key hub for mining and agricultural activities in the region.

By Road

Mount Isa is accessible via the Barkly Highway, which connects it to Queensland's east coast and the Northern Territory.

The main highways in and out of Mount Isa are suitable for all vehicle types and there are also 4WD accessible sites in the region for the off-road enthusiast.

The drive to Mount Isa passes through through some of the most magnificent scenery in Australia. Coming in from the west you’ll pass through spectacular savannah grasslands, from the east you’ll see undulating ranges and from the south the remnants of an inland sea.

By Air

The Mount Isa Airport services flights daily from Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville and services as the gateway to Outback Queensland.

Qantas services flights to Brisbane and Townsville.

Virgin services flights to Brisbane.

REX services flights to Cairns and other regional centres.

By Rail

Queensland Rail offer a twice weekly Inlander rail service between Townsville and Mount Isa. For more information visit Queensland Rail.

Service

Telstra provides the most extensive mobile phone coverage in Mount Isa, offering 4G and some 5G services in the town and surrounding areas. Telstra is the preferred provider in rural and remote parts of Australia, ensuring the best connectivity.
View Telstra's Coverage Map

With Thanks

Live North West Queensland would like to thank Mount Isa City Council for their support in developing this resource and continued support in developing regional north west Queensland. For further information visit the Council website and support resources.