Page 263 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

QUEENSLAND ’ S OUTBA CK  261

Environs
Cloncurry, 120 km (75 miles) east
of Mount Isa, was the departure
point for the Queensland and
Northern Territory Aerial Service’s
(QANTAS) first flight in 1921.
Now Australia’s national airline,
Qantas is also the oldest airline
in the English-speaking world.

yLongreach
* 3,000. ~ £ @ n Qantas
Park, Eagle St (07) 4658 4150.
∑ longreachtourism.com.au
Mount Isa, dominated by Australia’s largest mine
Situated in the centre of
rBurketown first mine was set up in the Queensland, Longreach is the
1930s. In those early days, “the main town of the central west
* 170. ~ n19 Musgrave St, cnr
Burke St (07) 4745 5111, City Council, Isa” was a shanty town, and Tent of the state.
65 Musgrave St (07) 4745 5111. House, now owned by the From 1922 to 1934, Longreach
National Trust, is an example was the operating base of
In the late 1950s, Burketown of the half-house-half-tents Qantas and there is a Founders
found fleeting fame as the that were home to most early Museum at Longreach Airport.
setting for Neville Shute’s settlers. Also in town is Outback The Australian Stockman’s Hall
famous novel about life in a at Isa, which incorporates mine of Fame is a fascinating tribute
small Outback town, A Town tours, the Riversleigh Fossil to Outback men and women.
Like Alice. Situated 30 km Centre and Isa Experience Aboriginal artifacts, as well as
(18 miles) from the Gulf of Gallery (see pp30–31). documented tales of the early
Carpentaria, on the Albert River, One of the most popular European explorers are included
Burketown was once a major events in town is the Mount in the impressive displays.
port servicing the hinterland. Isa Rodeo in August (see p47). There are daily flights or a
The spectacular propagating With prize money totalling 17-hour coach ride from Brisbane
roll cloud known as a Morning more than A$100,000, riders to Longreach. Other access points
Glory appears here in the early come from all over the world are Rockhampton and Townsville.
mornings from September to to perform spectacular
November. Burketown is rich displays of horsemanship. E Australian Stockman’s
in history and Aboriginal Hall of Fame
culture. It is also famous for E Outback at Isa Landsborough Hwy. Tel (07) 4658
the World Barramundi Fishing 19 Marian St. Tel (07) 4749 1555. 2166. Open 9am–4pm daily.
Championship. Open daily. Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. Closed 25 & 26 Dec. & 7 - =
About 150 km (90 miles) & 7 ∑ mietv.com.au ∑ outbackheritage.com.au
west of Burketown is Hell’s
Gate, an area so named at the The Royal Flying
beginning of the 20th century
because it was the last outpost Doctor Service
where the state’s police The Royal Flying Doctor Service
guaranteed protection. was founded by John Flynn, a
Presbyterian pastor who was
sent as a missionary to the
tMount Isa Australian Outback in 1912.
The young cleric was disturbed to
* 19,000. ~ £ @ see that many of his flock died
n 19 Marian St (07) 4749 1555.
due to the lack of basic medical
Mount Isa is the only major care and he founded the A Royal Flying Doctor plane flying over
city in far western Queensland. Australian Inland Mission together Australia’s Outback
Its existence is entirely based with Hudson Fysh (the founder of
around the world’s largest Qantas), self-made millionaire Hugh Victor McKay, Alfred Traeger
(the inventor of the pedal wireless) and Dr Kenyon St Vincent Welch.
silver and lead mine, which Today, the Royal Flying Doctor Service deals with some 130,000
dominates the town’s industry patients a year, and most Outback properties have an airstrip on
and landscape. Ore was first which the Flying Doctor can land. Emergency medical help is
discovered at Mount Isa in rarely more than two hours away and advice is available over a
1923 by a prospector called special radio channel.
John Campbell Miles and the
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp488–9 and pp515–17