Heading to Mount Isa for Outback Sounds? Make it a long weekend escape!
Beyond the festival stage, Mount Isa offers a unique mix of rugged landscapes, local culture, and unforgettable experiences. From historic tours and underground adventures to golden-hour sunsets, this itinerary helps you plan the perfect weekend — culminating in all the action of Outback Sounds.
To discover everything Mount Isa has to offer, visit discovermountisa.com.
Arrive in Mount Isa and dive straight into the outback spirit. Start your weekend with a visit to Mount Isa Lookout, where sweeping views over the town and surrounding ranges set the scene for the weekend ahead.
Next, head to Lake Moondarra for golden-hour reflections. I’s the perfect spot to soak in the red-dirt landscape and the warm outback sky. If time allows, explore the Sunset Strip nearby for a chance to spot local wildlife and snap some epic photos.
Evening: unwind under the stars. This is your calm-before-the-storm moment, a chance to recharge before the festival kicks off.
Saturday is all about Outback Sounds.
Start the day with breakfast and coffee along Mount Isa’s main strip, where the town is already buzzing with festival-goers. It’s an easy way to soak up the atmosphere and ease into the day before the music begins.
From early afternoon, the festival grounds come alive with local food, market stalls, and a lineup of standout performances. Highlights include Zac & George with their signature harmonies, William Barton blending didgeridoo and contemporary sounds, and Taylor Moss bringing fiery country anthems.
As the sun sets, the headline acts Kaylee Bell and The Wolfe Brothers take the stage, delivering unforgettable country performances beneath the sprawling Isa horizon. The crowd moves, boots tap, and voices rise as the music carries across the red-dirt arena. When the final notes fade, the Isa sky stretches overhead, marking the close of a day celebrating the spirit of the outback.
Sunday is a chance to slow things down and spend time at Outback at Isa, home to some of Mount Isa’s most iconic experiences. The precinct brings together mining history, local stories and outback culture in one place, making it an easy way to round out the weekend.
Highlights include the Hard Times Mine Tour, where you head underground and step into the working life of the miners who built the Isa, alongside the Isa Experience, which explores the region’s landscapes, industry and people through interactive displays. The Rodeo Hall of Fame adds another layer, celebrating the characters and traditions that have shaped outback life for generations.
In the afternoon, a Bush Tucker Experience offers a deeper connection to Country, with insights into native ingredients, traditional uses and the relationship between food, culture and the land. It’s a grounded, hands-on way to close out the weekend after the energy of Outback Sounds.
Before heading home, spend the morning taking a final stroll around Mount Isa. Wander the main streets, admire the town’s public art and murals, and grab a coffee or breakfast at a local spot. It’s a relaxed way to soak in the town itself, take a few last photos, and leave with a complete sense of your Mount Isa weekend.
Images Courtesy of Tourism & Events Queensland.