Mt Isa 22 – 24 July 2014

Left Corella Dam after 2 relaxing days and drove to Mount Isa. The scenery has changed again and consists of rugged, rocky hillocks dotted with stunted ghost gums. There was no free camping allowed in Mt Isa and we were forced into a small site at an overpriced caravan park dominated by mining accommodation – the joys of owning a monopoly business. This is one of the iconic must-see towns when travelling around Oz and we were keen to explore it, however for a town of over 20,000, there didn’t seem to be much to discover. The mine dominates the town with 2 enormous smoke stacks and large mineral ore heaps and the shopping centre seems tired and worn out. Talking to locals it seems the mine dominates the town with a lot of itinerate workers. One of the issues is the sense of isolation that most people feel. It is 1600km from Darwin and 1800km from Brisbane – as it is the largest town in the entire north west of Queensland you have to be self-sufficient – there is nowhere else to get supplies. Just heard on the radio that the latest research has confirmed the dangers of lead dust in Mount Isa, especially for children. Peter couldn’t but ponder on the time that his father had worked in the lead mines.