Its multicultural community, mainly due to the mining activity in the region, gives “The Isa” a cosmopolitan character that sets it aside from many other outback centres.

Mount Isa is Queensland’s largest provincial city west of the Great Dividing Range and is home to 22,000 people who come from more than 50 different nations.

The mining town is dominated by the sprawling Xstrata Mount Isa Mine and its 270m exhaust stack from the lead smelter. Xstrata Mount Isa Mine is the nation’s deepest underground mine and is also the largest single producer of copper, silver, lead and zinc in the world.

From the popular surface tours at Xstrata Mount Isa Mine to the inspirational interpretation of Australia’s ancient past at the multi-award-winning Riversleigh Fossils Centre, the city’s attractions are numerous.

The biggest attraction, Outback at Isa, is a “home in the outback” for visitors and a great spot to start when discovering Mount Isa.

Sun-X and Trans4mations Seventeenth Avenue, Mount Isa Qld 4825 Phone (07) 4743 5391 and (07) 4743 2477 Windscreen repairs and replacements

Other popular venues and activities include the Royal Flying Doctor Base, School of the Air and barramundi fishing at Lake Moondarra. The lake is regularly restocked with barramundi fingerlings, so try your luck.

Considered by many as the capital of North West Queensland, Mount Isa also has a great range of shopping facilities, including major chain stores.

The Isa is set against the backdrop of the Selwyn Ranges and the stacks from the mine create a distinctive city skyline.

The twin jewels in Mount Isa’s crown are the spectacular Lawn Hill Gorge and its neighbour, the Riversleigh Fossil Fields, both of which can be accessed from Mount Isa.

One of the biggest events on the Mount Isa calendar is the Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, to be held from August 10 to 12 this year. With prizemoney of more than $200,000, it attracts top class competitors from throughout Australia and overseas. There are many events held in conjunction with the rodeo - so many that they need a headstart. The pre-rodeo events start on August 5.

Some functions to look forward to include the Irish Club Country Music Festival, Mailman Express Sprint Horse Race, Zonta Bush Poets Breakfast, Bull Pit, art and photographic exhibitions and a Ute Muster.

While you’re in town, organise your photographic requirements at Mount Isa One-Hour Photos. You can buy a digital camera, have digital prints made and write images onto CDs from your camera card. Or have 35mm film developed and processed, get your passport photo taken, buy binoculars or albums and have a special photo framed.