Sunset Tourist Park

13/10/2026

About 35 minutes down the road from our park sits one of the strangest ghost towns in Queensland.

Today it has become one of the most popular stops for Instagram-inspired travellers.

At its peak in 1981, Mary Kathleen was home to 1,200 people. It had over 200 homes, schools, a cinema, tennis courts, and a thriving community built entirely around the uranium mine.

Just two years later, the ore ran out. Instead of letting the town slowly decay in the desert, they put the entire place under the hammer.

In April 1983, everything was auctioned off: houses, commercial buildings, machinery, and power poles. Buyers trucked the structures across Queensland.

By 1984, the town had practically vanished. Today, you can still walk the original street layout, stepping over empty concrete slabs and gutters where front yards used to be. It is an eerie, fascinating look at modern outback history right on our doorstep.

Free, off-grid camping is permitted on the remaining concrete slabs for self-contained rigs, though there are no facilities, power, or mobile phone reception.

What to Do and See Outback at Isa Complex A must see is the Outback at Isa Complex, incorporating the award-winning Riversleigh Fossil Centre, Hard Times Mine, Sir James Foots Building, Outback Park and Visitor Information Centre. Click HERE for more information. Riversleigh Fossil Centre If you thi...

08/10/2026

Lake Moondarra, if you haven't been, it would be hard to believe it's in outback Mt Isa.

Stocked with barramundi, black bream, and catfish, with no fishing permits required, though catch limits apply.

And yes, that's a peacock. There are about 50+ that reside around the lake, and no, peacocks don't usually belong in the outback.

The population traces back to the backyard of former mine manager Ken Dredge and his original pet peacock named Percy about 45 years ago.

Upon Ken's transfer away from the Isa, the decision was made to relocate his peafowl collection to the lake rather than move them with him.

Like most things surrounding the lake, they thrived and grew into a happy community that frequent around the picnic areas for all to enjoy today.

30/09/2026

A part of Australia that time forgot, and a must-add to the bucket list for anyone touring the outback.

Shortly after the Darwin air raids, Mt Isa was seen as a viable target due to its production of copper, lead, and zinc for the Allied war effort.

Local off-duty miners volunteered their time to drill and blast three parallel tunnels into the hillside directly behind the Mount Isa District Hospital.

The underground hospital was fully equipped with everything you would expect to see in a hospital, including maternity wards and cribs, but thankfully it was never used.

24/09/2026

May not be at the MCG for this weekend's game
But at least there is no queue for food or drink.
🦁🦁🦁

Sunset Tourist Park Mount Isa is where east meets west across northern Australia and is the gateway to the Outback. We have accommodation for all budgets.

17/09/2026

With travellers coming from hundreds to thousands of kilometres away, a dip in our magnesium pool is usually at the top of the priority list upon arrival.

It's a privilege to have a creek alongside the park, but we leave that for the locals to enjoy..

Sunset Tourist Park Mount Isa is where east meets west across northern Australia and is the gateway to the Outback. We have accommodation for all budgets.

09/09/2026

It's one thing to get on the road to enjoy what our country has to offer.

It's the dream to do it with your best mate❤️

Sunset Tourist Park Mount Isa is where east meets west across northern Australia and is the gateway to the Outback. We have accommodation for all budgets.

05/08/2026

Can’t make the legendary Mount Isa Mines Rodeo? - Watch all the action here and get ready to book for 2027…. Spots of filling already!

The Mt Isa Mines Rodeo will be livestreamed again this year. Please visit our website ONLY for access 👉 mountisarodeo.com.au

PLEASE NOTE there are scams floating around so please access directly from our website only.

03/08/2026

🤠 Everything you need to know 🤠

💳 We are CASHLESS at the Gates & Bars (no transaction fees)

🎟️ Tickets, pricing and entry terms & conditions 👉 mountisarodeo.com.au

⏰ Gate Times
• Gates open: 8am daily

🎶 Stick around Friday & Saturday night for live music with the Barnyard Band!

Sunday Highlights
🐎 8:00am – 11:00am | Indigenous Rodeo Championships
🎉 Lunchtime | Grand Entry Parade
🎟️ LIVE Art Union Prize Draw
🏆 All Rodeo Finals
🚪 Gates close at 6pm

We can't wait to welcome you to Buchanan Park for another legendary weekend in the red dirt! 🤠❤️

📸 WallisMedia

28/07/2026

Our newest Tourism product is SO close to launching now! 🚤

You may recognise the face… yep, Kylie.

Kylie is transitioning away from Sunset Tourist Park to focus on her new venture, Moondarra Cruises!

Make sure you jump over to her page, like and follow it to stay up to date with the latest!! She will be there with all the enthusiasm, passion (and stupid videos 🤣) as you follow along her new venture!

She looks forward to welcoming you onboard very soon!

Bell & Moir Toyota Glencore Queensland Metals Mount Isa City Council Mount Isa Mines Rodeo

She's floating... and she's almost ready for you!

Mount Isa's newest tourism experience has officially hit the water!

Moondarra Cruises has completed her first test cruise on beautiful Lake Moondarra and it won't be long before guests step aboard.

A huge shout out to Richard and Marise Kinnon from Outback Pioneers for leasing The Thomson Princess and helping bring this exciting new experience to life. It also wouldn't have been possible without the incredible support of the Mount Isa Water Board, Mount Isa City Council, Glencore Queensland Metals and Bell & Moir Toyota.

This is Outback Queensland at its best. Locals backing locals to create something truly special.

Stay tuned... the countdown to bookings is on!

Outback At Isa Experience Outback Queensland, Australia Visit Queensland, Australia

27/07/2026

Things are heating up in the Isa!!