Mount Isa Ready to Welcome Back Tourists

Mayor Danielle Slade has reaffirmed that Mount Isa is open for business, “Good to Go” and ready to welcome back tourists, with interstate borders reopening today (July 10).

Visitor numbers at Outback at Isa have been growing steadily over the past few weeks and are expected to grow even more once interstate travel resumes today.

Mount Isa City Council Owned Enterprises General Manager Roland Schibig said it had been quite busy at Outback at Isa, with daily bookings for Hard Time Mine tours and a steady stream of people eager to experience the newly renovated Riversleigh Fossil Discovery Centre.

“As soon as the border opens, that will give us a good indication of what the rest of the tourist season this year is going to look like,” Mr Schibig said.

“There have been a lot more caravanners in town lately – I’m expecting a big influx of caravanners from New South Wales in particular in the near future.

“At this stage, September is looking pretty strong for tourism in Queensland in general, and the local tourism industry should hopefully reflect that too.”

Cr Slade said local tourism operators have been reporting that bookings have started to pick up again, after several months of lockdown which effectively shut down the industry.

“North West Queensland and Mount Isa are ideal destinations for tourists and are a popular choice with caravanners and ‘grey nomads’,” Cr Slade said.

“With borders reopening to travellers from all over Australia, with the exception of Victoria, it’s the perfect time of year to visit our region.

“The weather is ideal, our tourist attractions and facilities have reopened, our hotels and motels are open for business, and we are all ready to welcome tourists with open arms.”