Day 5 -- Julia Creek to Mount Isa

West from Julia Creek it is 135 km to Cloncurry.  The grassland plains here are densely populated by small ant hills ( up to 1 metre) that change from white to red as the journey progresses.  Near Cloncurry the grasslands give way to scrub-covered rolling hills with eye-catching rocky outcrops.  Also noticeable is that roadkill almost disappears.  From up to 6 dead Roos per km, hardly any.  So maybe wildlife finds more food and water on the plains.

A winding 112 km through the hills brings one suddenly into Mount Isa.  The town is dominated by the tall stacks of the mine.  I always imagined the mine would be a little outside the town, but in fact the city cuddles right up to the mine.  And by the way, the Isa is Australia's only inland city (so they claim).  Its population in excess of 20000 gives it that title.  It is also the second largest area city in the nation, with Australia's longest main street .. the Barkly Highway that runs 188km to Camooweal which is a suburb of Mount Isa.  The things one learns from a visit to the local information centre!

I have checked in to my motel: the Copper City motel in a quiet street off the highway.  It's the most high-tech place I've ever encountered.  No reception.  Front up to the check-in screen and enter your name and phone number and swipe your credit card and you are assigned a room.  Then use your phone number on the keypad at your units door to get in.  Brand new and so well set up.  Kitchenette includes microwave and 2 plate stove top, sink and fridge with all necessary cooking utensils, crockery etc... Shower, toilet and washbasin tucked away at end of the single room unit.  Comfy lounge chair and big flatscreen TV.  Easily best so far!

There is a good lookout on a hill over from the mine where one can get a great overview of the town ooops city, and it's surrounds.  Next I went searching for a shoe repair shop to fix one of my slip ons that has seen sole start to lift away from upper.  Several enquiries about a shoe repairer or Mr Minute assured me no such place existed in town.  Couldn't believe it!  So searched Yellow Pages and discovered that there is a saddler in Webb Street who does shoe repairs.  Nice guy will have it fixed for me by lunch tomorrow.  Then a visit to the Information Centre to book in for visits tomorrow to some local attractions.

For dinner I paid a visit to the Irish Club here .. one of the State's largest.  Complete with gym, big billiard room, TAB, in addition to several bars and eating places and the mandatory pokies.  Nice meal, but no bargain in prices!  Afterwards I revisited the lookout to get some night photos of the city.  Tomorrow I will continue my explorations.

A few photos here from today's wanderings.  See them here.