Underground Hospital and Museum
Underground Hospital and Museum
4.5
Monday
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
Uncover the story behind Australia’s first and only underground hospital. Learn of the extraordinary efforts made by local miners who volunteered their time during construction. Explore the four tunnels, fitted out to resemble the 1942 original layout. Step inside the heritage-listed Tent House, a solution to the 1930s housing shortage in Mount Isa during the early mining boom years. Find out how a common tent was converted into a Tent House; an adaptation of materials to suit a hot, dry climate. The building currently housing the Beth Anderson Museum has a story of its own. It began life as a hospital in Kuridala, a heritage-listed abandoned mining town in the Cloncurry Shire. The Kuridala Hospital was purchased by the Mount Isa Hospital Committee for £400 for removal to the Mount Isa Hospital Reserve in July 1931. It was dismantled and transported to Mount Isa. Today, visitors to the Beth Anderson Museum can view an impressive collection of antique medical equipment.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
390 reviews
Excellent
313
Very good
63
Average
8
Poor
4
Terrible
2
James H
Booval, Australia146 contributions
July 2022 • Solo
I arrived at the underground hospital in Mt Isa not knowing what to expect. The guided tour given by Aubrey made the entrance fee pay for itself as he told of the ongoing restoration. I would thoroughly recommend a visit.
Written 29 July 2022
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.
TravellingQldlanders
Morayfield, Australia943 contributions
May 2021
It's great to see volunteers doing so much in the community. Although we couldn't go inside due to some timber failure we got a personal guide to explain the underground hospital and the Tent house. The hospital was built in 1942 in defense of potential bombing by the Japanese.
The tent house was the early version of housing for miners. This one had a family of 10, the metal roof and a ceiling was an addition made by the owners.
Entry is by donation, well worth the visit
The tent house was the early version of housing for miners. This one had a family of 10, the metal roof and a ceiling was an addition made by the owners.
Entry is by donation, well worth the visit
Written 19 May 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.
How great are the volunteers? We are pleased that you enjoyed the tour and hope that you can return for a better look inside.
Written 5 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Schlepper1939
Brisbane Region, Australia885 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
A unique look into the measures taken in Mt Isa to ensure hospital care would be available if the Japanese bombed the town after bombing Darwin. A good example on ingenuity in trying times. The tour into the Underground Hospital is led by knowledgeable volunteer guides and is well worth the time to visit and the small entry fee.
Written 18 June 2022
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.
Janette A
5 contributions
Aug 2022
A fascinating and informative tour of the Underground Hospital in Mt Isa. The volunteer took us on a guided tour and explained the history of the town, the construction of the the hospital, its restoration and the mine's involvement in all this. There was also a museum hospital and an example of a tent house which was used to accommodate the miners in the early days and coffee, tea and biscuits.
Written 31 August 2022
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.
How nice it is it to be able to end your visit to the Underground Hospital and Museum with a cuppa and Anzac biscuit on the veranda? We so please you enjoyed your visit and left this lovely review for us.
Written 14 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wayne N
1 contribution
Aug 2022
This is a great short tour to do in Mt Isa. Aubrey, our volunteer guide, was knowledgable, entertaining and ensured everyone left with an appreciation for this fascinating part of Mt Isa's history. The museum & tent house brought back some wonderful memories of our childhood in the 50's & 60's and the complimentary cuppa at the end of the tour capped of a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Highly recommended.
Wayne & Debbie
Wayne & Debbie
Written 8 August 2022
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.
Stephen A
Darwin, Australia44 contributions
June 2021
We visited late in the afternoon, but with plenty of time to see the exhibits. The guided tour of the underground hospital was a little disappointing, as the tunnels were closed for renovation. You could see a little from the entrance way, but couldn't walk in to explore. We recommend contacting the venue before arriving to find out if the tunnels are open.
The rest of the museum was very good and well worth some time to look at the exhibits. Don't forget to look at the other building across the carpark - a canvas roofed tent building!
The rest of the museum was very good and well worth some time to look at the exhibits. Don't forget to look at the other building across the carpark - a canvas roofed tent building!
Written 19 November 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.
I'm so sorry that your visit was during the time we had an unexpected repair. I'm please to say it is all fixed now. Your four star review is very much appreciated.
Written 5 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Phillip N
Newcastle, Australia10 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Our tour guide was Aubrey. He was funny, entertaining and very knowledgeable about the hospital and it’s history. We really enjoyed the tour, highly recommended. The museum has been renovated and streamlined during the pandemic allowing only the relevant items to be displayed. Most interesting was the Japanese currency issued during WW2 on the assumption they would succeed in ther invasion of all countries in the Sout Pacific including Australia.
Written 10 August 2022
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.
James and Debbie
Sydney, Australia43 contributions
June 2023
We loved visiting the Underground Hospital and Tent House! The tour into the tunnels was led by our brilliant guide, Patrick, and included a new projection display in the tunnel to tell part of the story - which was brilliantly done. We learnt so much, and our young kids were engaged the whole time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended!
Written 11 June 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.
Thank you for your five star review. We will definitely let Patrick know. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed this as a family.
Written 18 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bev M
Kingscliff, Australia83 contributions
June 2022
Definitely worthwhile visiting. The guide was really good and knowledgeable, and the free hot coffee and tea and biscuit was a great way to warm up on a very cool morning. Underground, it was very warm. The underground hospital is very unique, and it was great to walk around the tunnels and see the equipment as it was when constructed in 1942. Interesting stories on why the hospital was built soon after the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese.
Written 12 June 2022
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.
Anthony S
Brisbane, Australia1,854 contributions
Sept 2021
It is a short guided tour of the Underground Hospital and the volunteers tell the story very well.
In addition to the hospital there is also a collection of medical equipment. The tent house is well worth a visit and all told it is so important that this history has been retained and it’s story being told.
In addition to the hospital there is also a collection of medical equipment. The tent house is well worth a visit and all told it is so important that this history has been retained and it’s story being told.
Written 22 September 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.
I have to agree the volunteers really bring the story to life. Thank you for the five star review Anthony.
Written 5 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Check with the Mt Isa Tourist centre for Tour times at The Underground Hospital
or call :
Dianne on 0407514918.
$10.00 for adults, $8.00
for concessions and
$4.00 for children.
Written 10 July 2016
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