Outback at Isa
Outback at Isa
4.5
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
About
At Outback at Isa, Mount Isa's major tourism facility, you will find the Mount Isa Visitor Information Centre (VIC), Hard Times Mine Underground Tour, Bush Tucker Experience Tour, Isa Experience and Outback Park, the Mount Isa Regional Art Gallery, Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre and the Outback Cafe. We take enormous pride in providing the best possible service and experiences to visitors. Outback at Isa offers unique experiences, 7 days a week.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- Owen H2 contributionsBush tucker and overall tourist centre amenityWe did the museum , mine and bush tucker experience. The staff were all fantastic. In particular, though we wanted to highlight the bush tucker experience. So much knowledge, a guide that tailored the experience for kids and adults alike. Wow so much knowledge imparted and so enlightening Just thought it was fabulousVisited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 7 October 2023
- Suzanne K1 contributionMt Isa ExperienceOnly had time to do Mt Isa experience. Reasonably priced and really interesting. Very good exhibition. Wish we had time to do the mine tours. Will stay a night next time instead of passing through.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 October 2023
- Robin C1 contributionSo many fossils!!We just had the most magical tour of the fossils. Alan our guide was amazing. For an “old miner” as he called himself, he would have passed as a palaeontologist. Please please please don’t miss this place, it is worth every cent. We are coming back tomorrow!!Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 13 October 2023
- TanyaBrisbane Region, Australia10 contributionsAmazing authentic experience totally recommend. The A TEAM thanksI was lucky to be on the A TEAM….amazing experience had an amazing time and it really is the most authentic mining experience. Fun group too so thank you. Fantastic knowledgeable tour guide even baked sausage roll, and tore off the paper serviettes…totally recommend this tour and experience 👍Visited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 14 October 2023
- Dean L1 contributionYou Gotta Do It !The most excellent mine tour we have ever been on . Our guide Ian was very informative and it was really great to hear first hand experience from someone who has worked that job for many years doing the hard yakka. Thanks so much for giving us a first hand understanding of underground mining. Can’t rate highly enough.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 October 2023
- Maree A2 contributionsWell worth every cent.We did the Hardtimes Mine Underground tour at Mount Isa and Ian was our guide who was excellent and had loads of information about the mine and the art of mining. He was very happy to answer our many questions too. We found the the tour very enjoyable and interesting. We would highly recommend this tour, a must when visiting Mount Isa. Hopefully 🤞 you will get Ian.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 November 2023
- Deborah B1 contributionFun and great experienceThe receptionist was very nice and helpful. I had so much fun 🤩 our tour guide Steve was great and I’ve learned a lot from him about Mining, etc ⛏️ — This is once in a lifetime experience and is something to be kept and cherished for life. Also, Steve is an experienced and brilliant person, hopefully he will continue to do his passion for life. Till next time 😊Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 13 December 2023
- Karrie M1 contributionWorth every cent and more.....Loved our guide Steve, feel priveledged to have him share his livelihood and stories from his lifes work in the mines. This experience is hands on, well paced and informative. Well worth every cent. Thank Mt Isa.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 January 2024
- Britney S1 contributionWonderful experienceSteve the tour guide was wonderful! The whole experience is a must if visiting Mount Isa. Very interesting underground with a good educational component combined with fun and humour Highly recommendVisited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 10 February 2024
- mizzj0nesTowcester, United Kingdom19 contributionsAbsolutely 5 stars. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟We went in this tour myself my daughter and 2 brothers. This was a trip over from the UK for myself. Was recommended to see it. Have say 5 stars all the way. Steve the guide/comedy host was just the best. Great sense of humour but his expertise and knowledge of mining that he was able to show us in such a short time period was incredible. Felt safe and comfortable, related and most of all interested in the history of his career from way back to the modern day.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 20 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
509 reviews
Excellent
385
Very good
92
Average
23
Poor
1
Terrible
8
ron d
Caloundra, Australia602 contributions
July 2021 • Couples
We had a couple of hours to spare in Mt Isa so we booked the "Isa Experience" tour for about $20 each. What you get for this is to wander around in the Information Centre seeing various exhibits, many of which are just PR for Mt Isa Mines. This is a shameful rip-off and I am disgusted that the city is tricking gullible tourists with this sham "tour". I really hope that others read this so that they are not sucked in as we were.
Written 12 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi ron d,
Thank you for your review and feedback. We're sorry you had a poor experience at our facilities. We will work on improving these issues and hope to better your experiences in the future.
Written 15 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
B138877
Queensland, Australia697 contributions
July 2020
The tour of the fossils was very good. The man giving them is super passionate about it, and he doe most of the work with the fossils. Very unique ones too. There is also an art gallery. The museum was very well done with a great video upstairs to explain a lot of things. Well worth the stop. The mine tours were booked out, so book as soon as you know you will be here.
Written 17 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
thanks so much for the 5 stars review! We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your time at Outback at Isa so much. The newly upgraded Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre is certainly a highlight!
See you again next time!
Written 21 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Graeme W
Gosford, Australia24 contributions
Apr 2021
This is a really good attraction providing history of Mt Isa, opportunity to experience life of underground mining, and inside into the Riversleigh dinosaur history in the region. Really well planned out, good facilities and helpful staff at tourist info desk.could spend the day here to see all the exhibits
Written 27 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and feedback, so glad your enjoyed all there is to offer at Outback at Isa!
Written 30 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
travern2480
New South Wales, Australia2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Our family, including my husband, teen daughter, and primary school aged son, had the privilege of participating in a painting workshop with the incredibly talented Kalkadoon artist, Aunty Barbara Sam.
Barbara was more than an art instructor; she was like a kind therapist. After a couple of challenging years, this painting workshop felt like the therapy our family needed.
Barbara shared her deep connection to her ancestral country, weaving in the meaning of storyline.
Barbara's gentle guidance and the opportunity to seek out our own storylines. We left the workshop with not just our own very individual artworks but also a deeper understanding of our continual healing and connection to the land and family.
Barbara Sam is a remarkable artist and a beautiful and proud Kalkadoon person. We can't thank her enough for providing us with this unforgettable and healing experience. This workshop is a must for anyone seeking artistic expression and self-discovery, and an insight to the rich cultural heritage of the Kalkadoon people.
Barbara was more than an art instructor; she was like a kind therapist. After a couple of challenging years, this painting workshop felt like the therapy our family needed.
Barbara shared her deep connection to her ancestral country, weaving in the meaning of storyline.
Barbara's gentle guidance and the opportunity to seek out our own storylines. We left the workshop with not just our own very individual artworks but also a deeper understanding of our continual healing and connection to the land and family.
Barbara Sam is a remarkable artist and a beautiful and proud Kalkadoon person. We can't thank her enough for providing us with this unforgettable and healing experience. This workshop is a must for anyone seeking artistic expression and self-discovery, and an insight to the rich cultural heritage of the Kalkadoon people.
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaclyn T
10 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Bush Tucker tour with Mathew was amazing! So we much information about edible plants and bush medicine that we see everyday in our landscape. Thank you Matt for sharing your family's story and heritage.
We also done the fossil tour with Edna. She is super enthusiastic about her work and has so many amazing stories to tell about the evolution of Australian mammals. Thank you so much for being so accommodating of my furry friend also 😊
Cafe is also worth visiting, yummy coffee and gluten free breakfast and lunch!
We also done the fossil tour with Edna. She is super enthusiastic about her work and has so many amazing stories to tell about the evolution of Australian mammals. Thank you so much for being so accommodating of my furry friend also 😊
Cafe is also worth visiting, yummy coffee and gluten free breakfast and lunch!
Written 2 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane Taylor
Brisbane, Australia1 contribution
July 2023 • Couples
The whole experience was great! Our guide, Ian, had a wealth of experience and knowledge, and a healthy sense of humour. Although the initial cost may make you think again, 3 hours of info, pastie, tea or coffee, overalls, ID key ( can keep these) and a photo make it really quite reasonably priced. A must-do tourist attraction in Mt Isa.
FYI: they cater for food allergies too.
FYI: they cater for food allergies too.
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce
Grose Vale, Australia1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Couples
The Hard Times Mine Tour was a most interesting and worthwhile experience which we both enjoyed immensely. Our Tour Guide, Steve, obviously spoke from years of experience and was passionate about the Mt Isa Mine. He kept us all enthralled with his very detailed presentation of the facts of the mining activities, and the wonderful personal asides which added so much to the value of our experience. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Mt Isa.
Written 14 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trevor A
10 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
There are so many things to do here at the visitors centre. The Bushtucker Experience is great with an engaging Aboriginal guide and the native plant gardens are beautiful. The Riversleigh fossil tour gives you an incredible insight into the ancient life of Australia. We had a very professional young indigenous guide who was exceptionally knowledgeable and informative. The displays of the city's history, mining, rocks and gemstones is unequalled. Didn't get to do the underground mine tour or the indigenous art course, will do it next time. Well done Mt Isa!
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trip25435256382
20 contributions
July 2024 • Solo
First of all I was so impressed with 20 year old Edna & her knowledge on so many things in this world not just bush tucker. She blew my mind at how well she interacted with the guests, cracked jokes here & there, could answer every question thrown at her & explained things in detail. I learnt so much. My only negative would be I think the tour could be culled down to 1.5hours if things kept moving & cut out thr fish hatchery. It is a short walk around a backyard, so to speak. Great job Edna.
Written 30 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thanks for your opinion. We appreciate it:) Yes Edna is a champion, and we are very proud of her. We will be working to add to the fish hatchery late this year.
Written 28 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ian
Gold Coast, Australia11 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Ex miner Ian took us on an excellently informative and fascinating tour of the purpose built/dug underground mine complex. Details of retired mining machinery on display topside and underground. Kitted out in supplied hardhats with lights, overalls and boots, the experience gives the feel of what being a miner is like. You enter down a cage/elevator, have a short trip in a mine train transporter, a walk around the surprisingly extensive tunnel system with demonstrations of equipment, including hands on drilling, and then a snack and cuppa supplied in the Cribb Room along with a Q&A session. Finally a drive back out in the back of a ute capped off a truly enjoyable and great value experience. Thank you.
Written 26 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
les m
Narellan, Australia
Hi my brother in law and i will be driving up from Sydney in September not sure of the dates yet. hope to stay 2 or 3 days. Wanted to stay in a cabin in one of the local caravan parks.Is there a need to book accomadation before hand or can we rely on finding something when we get there. thanks
Written 1 August 2015
My suggestion is to book in anywhere.Even though it is the end of the Peak season,there are still many parks who like to get a booking.......I have booked in 12 months in advance even for off peak.Many will say not to worry about it,BUT hey better safe than sorry......enjoy your trip to Mt.Isa many interesting places to visit.Just watch out for Puma fuels as it is ex BP and their fuel is more expensive than the others up there,otherwise many interesting and great places to see.Check out the 'lookout' just past the Bob Katter office opposite Coles
Written 1 August 2015
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