893km (558 miles) W of Townsville; 633km (395 miles) NW of Longreach

Mount Isa is Queensland's largest provincial city west of the Great Dividing Range. The town was built around mining, and the population of 22,000 reflects that in the 50 different nationalities represented. The huge Mount Isa Mine dominates the town. It is the world's largest single producer of copper, silver, lead, and zinc. A social highlight of the year is the annual 3-day Mount Isa Rodeo (tel. 07/4743 2706; www.isarodeo.com.au), held every August. It's the biggest rodeo in the southern hemisphere.