Wednesday 25th June

Well, after another late start, as the sun does not get up until quite late especially when the hills to the east hold the sun rise out until even later. Anyway, we had a nice omelette for breakfast. Just as well as we walked to today’s major attraction for us, the “Outback at Isa” located next to the information centre.

We spent the largest part of the day at the “Outback at Isa”. Prue and I agree that it is one of the best exhibitions we have seen so far this trip. Maybe this was because we experienced nice coffees, and also lunch, in the Centre and did not have to go looking for it.

After we paid for our entrance fee, to view the contents of the centre, we went into the theatrette. We watched a wonderful show in the Isa Experience Gallery which is an interactive, multi-media gallery interpreting the region's fascinating cultural, indigenous, pioneering and mining heritage. It succeeds in escaping the stereotype of a stuffy museum through the fascinating and informative interactive displays which showcase the rich history of Mount Isa.

After doing the Isa Experience Gallery thoroughly, we then viewed the Outback Park that is an extensive creative landscape that captures visitors' attention and imagination, with a central lagoon surrounded by lush native plantings and a Lawn Hill gorge inspired waterfall. It is really well done and most relaxing to wander through.

After we had lunch, we then went into the Riversleigh Fossil Centre that educates and interprets the fossils extracted from the nearby World-heritage Riversleigh fossil fields. These finds have been depicted as dioramas and exhibited in an authentic setting to illustrate the unique discoveries in one of the world's richest fossil fields. Unlike many other fossil deposits, the Riversleigh fossils are not just a snapshot in time, but a window on the development of early mammal mega fauna over the past 30 million years. It reinforces just how old this planet is and how short a time we have lived in this country.

When we left the “Outback at Isa”, we went and did some shopping in Kmart then walked back to the Sunset Caravan Park. I decided it was time that I donned the overalls and greased the Karavan and checked all underneath. No problems were found. The I organised myself to go for a ride around the town. There are a few reasonable hills to help keep the legs in shape. The traffic is not bad and the roads are really good. Just the odd 3 or 4 trailer road train to feel going past. Thankfully, the road is wide enough for everyone.

By then it was nearly dinner time and the inevitable red wine. This ended a fantastic and informative day in Mt. Isa.