Duration:
2h
Our detailed interpretive tours covers mining, social and economics of this amazing outback city. Minimum of 4 people to allow the tour to go.
Operated By:
Discover the Heart of Outback Queensland
Embark on a captivating journey through time in Australia’s premier mining city. This detailed interpretive tour brings the rich history of Mount Isa to life, tracing its incredible story from its discovery by John Campbell Miles in the early 1920s right through to the bustling modern day. 🌵
Unmissable Tour Highlights
- Historic Beginnings: Trace the footsteps of early pioneers and learn about traditional dwellings and local fauna. 🦘
- Industrial Marvels: Get a unique look at the active mine and capture the perfect photo in front of the iconic lead smelter and bore mill. 📸
- The End of the Line: Visit the historic Mount Isa train station, situated just metres from the mine, and discover the fascinating story of the “Progress and Prosper” rail line.
- Rodeo Capital: Explore Buchanan Park, the legendary home of the world-famous Mount Isa Rodeo—the largest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere! 🤠
Join us for an unforgettable exploration of heritage, industry, and outback spirit.
Departure & Booking Information
Tour departs from Outback at Isa – Visitor Information Centre, 19 Marian Street.
Please note: Minimum of 4 guests require before this tour proceeds.
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Paul
23 Aug 2026
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Julie
01 Aug 2026
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Michelle V, Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2026-08-01
Glad you enjoyed the tour. Thank you for the wonderful feedback.
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Karen
26 Jul 2026
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Michelle V, Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2026-08-01
Thankyou very much for the feedback. We will revisit the video content and update.
Happy Tom presented a more balanced view.
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B
24 Jul 2026
Michelle from the tour company was great too.
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Michelle V, Administration Officer at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2026-07-17
Thank you for the wonderful feedback. So glad you enjoyed the tour.
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Gaye
15 Jul 2026
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Michelle V, Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2026-06-08
So glad you enjoyed the tour. Thankyou for the wonderful feedback.
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Karen
02 Jun 2026
We did a Mary Kathleen mine tour this afternoon with Tom our tour guide but unfortunately everytime we stopped Tom lit up a cigarette even standing under the covered area while we were having afternoon tea....we had to stand out in the sun to get away from the cigarette smoke.....that is not acceptable and to make matters worse he just stubbed them out on the ground and left them there in our beautiful bushland where we would all like to breathe in the fresh air.
The tour was very good but that just spoilt it for us.
The tour was very good but that just spoilt it for us.
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Lynn
01 Jun 2026
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Michelle V, Public Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-17
Thankyou for your wonderful feedback. So glad you enjoyed the tour.
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Linda
15 Aug 2025
We enjoyed our tour of mt Isa with phil,our tour guide.He is very pleasant and easy to understand.I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to have a look at mt.isa
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Geoffrey
14 Aug 2025
Phillip had a fabulous knowledge of the town history and as a former mine employee he gave us a remarkable look into the mine, its origins and evolution into what is today. This was value for money, thanks to the team at North West Tours.
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Michelle V, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-12
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour with Phillip and appreciated his extensive knowledge and insight into both Mount Isa and the mine. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to him. We’re glad you found it great value for money and appreciate your support of North West Tours.
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Travelling_Granny22
05 Aug 2025
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Michelle V, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-03
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're so pleased you enjoyed the lake and sunset experience as much as we do. It truly is a special part of Mount Isa, and we're glad Tom's knowledge and guidance added to your visit. Until next time.
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MnM
01 Aug 2025
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Michelle V, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-03
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed the Mary Kathleen Mine tour. Tom will be pleased to hear your feedback – it’s a unique site and the road is rough. Safe Travels
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MnM
31 Jul 2025
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Michelle V, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2025-08-03
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the Mount Isa City Tour. Phillip will be pleased to know his knowledge and easy pace made the tour enjoyable. There is certainly more to Mount Isa! Enjoy the rest of your travels.
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MnM
28 Jul 2025
I have some great photos of the mine.
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Michelle V, Public Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2025-07-27
Thank you for your kind feedback! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed the mine township and tour — it truly is a fascinating part of our region’s history. The road can be a bit rough, but we appreciate your understanding. We're thrilled you captured some great photos — the mine certainly offers some unique photo opportunities! Thanks again for joining us. Happy Travels
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762noelr
25 Jul 2025
We had an amazing afternoon at the old Kathleen Uranium Mine with Tom from North West Tours.a very friendly cheerful and informative man.thanks again Tom we would recommend North West Tours any time cheers Pam & Rhonda
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pamela
16 Jul 2025
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DerekC2365
21 Sep 2024
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Michelle V, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
Thank you for your feedback, I will certainly forward onto Phillip, The lake is such a beautiful location for the sunset. Safe travels
Team North West Tours
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Culture44524169994
09 Sep 2024
great experience
highly recommend
wonderful sunset tour with generous food and drinks
thank you 😁
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Michelle V, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
Thank you so much for your review, great to see guests enjoying our part of the world.
Until next time.
Team North West Tours
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fionadO8727KR
02 Sep 2024
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Michelle V, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
Thank you for your review, it is amazing at how much Mount Isa has to offer. Safe travels
Team North West Tours
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Lou
01 Sep 2024
Excellent tour
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Michelle V, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
We always enjoy receiving feedback. Thank you for your review , our guides love to hear from you. Safe travels
North West Tours Team
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Gai
29 Aug 2024
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Michelle V, Public Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 1970-01-01
Thank you Dorothy for your review, I will past your comments onto our guides, they love hearing the feedback and we wish you enjoyable travels ahead.
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Dorothy
24 Aug 2024
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John
16 Sep 2023
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Mandy
15 Sep 2023
Our guide and driver was a really good guy and I'm ashamed to say I cannot remember his name. However, after showing us an informative video he drove us around the remains of Mary Kathleen town pointing out the key points.
After a brief stop at the town centre to take some photo's we headed along to the Mine site along the track that we could never had risked driving the motorhome.
The sheer scope of the mining operation was immense and the tranquilly of the mine "lake" was beautiful.
We were in awe of this, as was our guide who had seen it so many time before us.
After taking numerous photo's we retreated from the site as the sight of foolhardy visitors taking risks at the lake edge.
We set off to a rest area for some coffee and cakes, and a good old chin wag, before heading back to our accomodation. An added bonus was to see a small herd of camels sharing space with some cattle as we were driven back.
So Thank You NORTH WEST TOURS for arranging the Old Kathleen Mine Tour. And thanks once again to our guide.
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Victor
10 Sep 2023
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Colin
06 Sep 2023
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JDUBLYA
31 Aug 2023
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Z8895FLtrevorp
26 Aug 2023
Would highly recommend. Easy location to meet your.
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Janet
21 Aug 2023
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-08-15
Hi,
Thank you for taking the time to let us know your experience with us. We are always happy to hear from our guests.
Enjoy your travels
The team at North West Tours.
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lizmA5829BI
14 Aug 2023
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-08-15
Hi Graham,
Thank you for taking the time to let us know your experience on our tours. So glad to hear that you have enjoyed your time spent with us.
Safe Travels.
The team at North West Tours.
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GrahamM662
14 Aug 2023
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-07-31
Thank you for your review glad to hear you enjoyed your tour.
Thanks again from the team at North West Tours.
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Roam41240659471
27 Jul 2023
We went on the Best of Mt Isa tour yesterday. Our tour guide Phil was very knowledgeable and informative, and friendly. The tour gave us a great insight of Mt Isa past and present.
Highly recommend it.
Highly recommend it.
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Royden
26 Jul 2023
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-07-31
Thank you for taking the time to let us know your thoughts on our tour.
We are glad to hear that you have enjoyed your time while visiting Mount Isa.
Safe Travels.
The team at North West Tours.
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U7358GCchristinew
26 Jul 2023
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-07-31
Thank you for taking the time to let us know that you have enjoyed your tour. I hope you enjoy the rest of your visit to Mount Isa.
Safe travels
The Team at North West Tours.
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Martin
24 Jul 2023
Knowledgeable guide
Covered all areas of town including the mine. Worth doing to provide a background of Mt Isa
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-07-11
Thank you for taking the time to let us know you enjoyed your tour.
Safe travels
The Team at North West Tours.
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319rossa
05 Jul 2023
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-07-11
Thank you for taking the time to give your feedback, We always appreciate hearing from our guest's to help us improve your experience.
Safe Travels
From the team at North West Tours
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Excursion03417363785
05 Jul 2023
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-07-05
Thank you for taking our tour. We are glad that you have enjoyed your time with us.
Safe Travels.
The Team from North West Tours.
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paulP4243AU
03 Jul 2023
Thank you
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-07-03
Thank you for your kind word. We are always pleased to hear our guests have enjoyed themselves.
From the team at North West Tours.
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John
01 Jul 2023
You then visit the open cut uranium mine which is spectacular! Followed by a delicious afternoon of tea, coffee and cakes.
Tour states 4 hrs but we were 5, no complaints tho as it was informative and a relaxing evening spent.
Out of 3 tours I did. All were over time (all different companies) so it’s a little more laid back here if the numbers in the tour are bigger.
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-07-03
Thank you for taking the time to take our tour. We are glad to hear that you have enjoyed your time with us.
Thanks again.
From the team at North West Tours.
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Trail06893519952
26 Jun 2023
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Debbie M, Public Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-06-08
Thank you for taking the time for leaving your review. We are glad to hear that you have enjoyed your time with us.
The Team at North West Tours
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Tiffany
02 Jun 2023
Loved our stay in mount isa. Wish it wasn’t so far away.
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Debbie M, Public Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-06-08
Hi Ken,
Thank you for leaving this great review it is alway nice to hear people have enjoyed their time in Mount Isa.
Looking forward to seeing you again some day.
From the team at North West Tours.
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ken
28 May 2023
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Debbie M, Public Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-05-24
Thank you for taking the time to let us know that you enjoyed the tour.
It is always nice to hear from our guests.
From the team at North West Tours
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littlehawke
22 May 2023
The scenery at the former pit is stunning. The wattle was in bloom and was a beautiful contrast to the vivid red rocks.
Smoko at Fountain Springs rest area was welcome- a nice selection of biccies and cake on offer.
Our guide Phillip was very informative and he ensured we were comfortable. The roads on the site are quite rough so be aware. The walk up to the viewing area is not arduous.
Mary Kathleen has a unique history well worth investigating. I recommend this trip as part of getting to know the Mt Isa area.
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lindasQ1172OY
19 May 2023
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ChristopherandCheryl
19 May 2023
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Debbie M, Public Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-05-15
Thank you. We are glad that you enjoyed your tour.
Safe Travels from the Team at North West Tours.
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thisisitz
14 May 2023
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Debbie M, Public Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-05-14
Thank you. We are glad you enjoyed your tour.
The Team at North West Tours.
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Mark
13 May 2023
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Debbie M, Public Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-05-13
Thank you for taking the time to let us know you enjoyed your tour.
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Christine
07 May 2023
The drivers slang was realy hard to understand for me. I guess my linguistic proficiency is average .not every tourist (I am from Austria) is a native speaker ..guides should at least try to speak slowlier and clearer, maybe some Oxford englisch .especially when they notice that foreigners are onboard
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Thomas
04 May 2023
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-04-22
Hi,
I am glad to hear that you have enjoyed your time with us. Out guides work very hard to make sure that you get an amazing experience and ww thank you for taking the time to let us know.
Safe Travels
The Team at North West Tours.
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Libby
15 Apr 2023
Definitely recommend
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2023-04-22
Hi Matthew,
Thank you for the lovely words. We loved having you on board and loved the pictures that you sent to us from your experience. Hope to see you again soon.
The Team at North West Tours.
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MatthewMason_Imagery
13 Apr 2023
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Janet
02 Apr 2023
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Andrea
29 Oct 2022
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Debbie M, General Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2022-10-09
Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience on our tours.
The team at North West Tours
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williamsps18
05 Oct 2022
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2022-09-14
Thank you we are glad to hear you have enjoyed your time with out tour
Safe travels
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Paradise04744671433
10 Sep 2022
It was a really interesting tour and one I would definitely do again.
The history of the settlement was really interesting.
The mine itself was stunning and the color of the water brilliant. Afternoon tea was plentiful. Well worth doing.
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2022-09-14
Thank you for taking the time to let us know you enjoyed your tour. We are glad that you have enjoyed your time with us
The team at North West Tours
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L220ZKlisad
10 Sep 2022
Good value tour and would highly recommend.
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2022-09-07
Thank you for the great feedback. So glad you were able to take so much away from it.
Have a lovely day.
the team at North West Tours
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sharonmawby
02 Sep 2022
Highly recommended tour and company & tour guide Craig
Thanks buddy
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2022-09-07
So glad you have had a memorable experience with Craig. We love hearing that our guest have enjoyed out tours.
Safe travels.
The team at North West Tours
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cherylpZ800YJ
31 Aug 2022
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2022-09-07
Thank you for taking the time to let us know your experience on this tour. We are please that you have enjoyed your time with us.
Safe travels.
The team at North West Tours
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thistrip20-19
28 Aug 2022
Craig was our tour guide and was a very experienced tour operator
The tour was well set out with plenty of information regarding past and present relating to the Mary Kathleen town, mine and Mt Isa in general.
I would recommend this as a must do tour if your in the area.
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Debbie M, Guest Relations Manager at North West Tours, responded to this review - 2022-08-31
Thank you for taking the time. So glad that you have enjoyed your tour with us.
Safe Travels
The team at North West Tours.
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M6728PMkevinb
27 Aug 2022
The 2 hour Best of Mt Isa tour is a must-do . Craig, the tour guide knows the town and mine well and he packs a lot of information into 2 hours.
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chrissie
01 Aug 2022















































